College of Chemical Sciences CCS NEWSLETTER
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
January - August, 2021 Volume: 20 No: 01 College of Chemical Sciences CCS NEWSLETTER Volume: 20 No: 01 January - August, 2021 A Government approved Charity, Founded in 1971, Incorporated by Act of Parliament No: 15 of 1972, Successor to the Chemical Society of Ceylon, Founded in 1941 SHIREEN JAYASURIYA R. O. B. WIJESEKARA GOLD MEDALLIST – 2020 ALL ROUNDER - 2020 The “Shireen Jayasuriya Ms. Binelka Siriwardana of Memorial Gold Medal, for the the 38th batch will be awarded best performances in all parts of the “Dr. R. O. B. Wijesekara the Graduateship Examination” Felicitation Fund Award for the will be awarded to Ms. Lihini Best All Rounder”, in recognition Jayasinghe of the 38th batch, in of her exemplary performance recognition of her outstanding in academic and extracurricular academic record. activities at CCS THE 84TH PRESIDENT OF THE GRADUATE CHEMISTS MAKE CCS INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY CEYLON PROUD AT THE INTER-UNIVERSITY The Institute of Chemistry RESEARCH PRESENTATION Ceylon warmly welcomes COMPETITION 2020 the newly inducted Two graduate teaching assistants of CCS made their alma President, Prof. Srianthie mater proud by securing places at the Inter-University Research Deraniyagala and the Presentation Competition organized by the Royal Society of Council of IChemC for Chemistry - Sri Lanka Section. Mr. Yasiru Vindula Alwis was the year 2021/22. Prof. awarded the Bronze medal while Ms. Udari Imalka Wijesinghe Deraniyagala graduated won a Merit award at the final round, which was held on the 20th from the University of of April on a virtual platform. Colombo with a BSc (Honours) in Chemistry, Mr. Alwis presented his and obtained her PhD undergraduate research, from Dalhousie University, Canada in the area of Bio-Organic “Synthesis, evaluation and Chemistry. She has over 42 years of service at the University of structure activity relationship Colombo where she currently serves as a Senior Professor in the study of 2-phenyl-3H-quinazolin- Department of Chemistry. Prof. Deraniyagala has served the 4-one derivatives as urease College of Chemical Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon inhibitors against Helicobacter as a visiting lecturer since way back in 1986. Having held many pylori”, carried out under the honorary positions in the Council and various committees, she supervision of Dr. Dinusha has contributed immensely to the upliftment of the programmes N Udukala and Dr. Medha J and activities conducted by CCS and IChemC for over 30 years. Gunaratne. In recognition of the valuable and dedicated service rendered by Ms. Wijesinghe presented her her, she was awarded the Yeomen Service Award at the 48th Annual research on "Biogenic synthesis Sessions of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon in 2019. We wish of ZnO nanoparticles from Prof. Srianthie Deraniyagala all the very best, as she guides us Tephrosia purpurea and their through a year under a pivotal theme of “Shaping Minds to Break efficacy for photoluminescence through Frontiers in Chemical Research”. and photocatalysis" carried out under the guidance of Dr. Gobika Thiripuranathar. College of Chemical Sciences Newsletter 01 January - August, 2021 Volume: 20 No: 01 GUEST EDITORIAL EDUCATION IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC - OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES N. M. S. Hettigedera, F.I.Chem.C., Chartered Chemist President-Elect, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon the new reality. The teachers who were hesitant initially started to familiarize themselves with various Learning Management Systems and digital platforms such as Zoom and holding webinars. Lecturers worked day and night on how to modify and redesign their lessons. This process was challenging as most of them were usually adopting hands on workshops and practical based courses. In some countries the ICT units provided their teachers with lectures, training sessions and private tutorials to help them in learning how to use the digital platforms and associated equipment, effectively. Surveys have revealed that, adoption of online education varied Presently, the world is experiencing one of the greatest in Sri Lanka by discipline, university and household income etc. threats to global education, a serious educational crisis leading Poor internet connections disrupted online education, and some to near total closure of schools, early childhood education and students had to access other websites to prepare for lectures and care services, universities and colleges. It has resulted in losses in complete their assignments (ADB). The students on the other hand, learning, increased dropout rates, and unequal education systems, were not willing to sitting in front of computers for continuous long worldwide. While the richer countries are much prepared for online periods and it became unbearable to them. Sometimes the students teaching and learning strategies, the situation in middle income were not present in classes. They entered the lessons using links or poor countries is very unsatisfactory, leading to vast inequality but did not turn on their cameras and hid behind their computer of opportunities that exists. screens. In some cases even if the cameras were turned on, they Since the first outbreak of the Coronavirus on 27th December were preoccupied with other work. The reasons are, they are feeling 2019 in Wuhan, China and the first case in Sri Lanka was reported uncomfortable with their living conditions, aesthetical reasons such in 27th January 2020, there were many preceding media coverage as how they look, and more of them being engaged in other work world over on the possible spread of the virus and the possibility during the sessions as indicated in the surveys in other countries of total physical shut down of schools, colleges and universities. which is observed in Sri Lanka too. Another important thing is In spite of that, the higher education system in many countries they do not have technological equipment such as laptops, tabs was caught by surprise and the need to turn to a different mode of or even a smart phone, internet connectivity or sometimes even education was a considerable challenge. Launching new alternative supportive parents. There are also inequalities and socio economic education programmes in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis was a gaps existing in different populations. bold decision made by education authorities despite some criticisms ADB has pointed out the necessity to revisit curriculums, from various sectors. Students and teachers had to adopt to the pedagogy, and assessment for online education and blended new technologies and novel modes of teaching as well as learning learning. The teachers should also realize that such an unusual practices instead of the frontal face–to-face teaching and learning period requires different measures such as more personalized which is the prevalent type in educational institutions. Thus, the and quick approaches. It is necessary to open all communication wide spread and rapid expansion of Coronavirus in the world channels including one-to-one Zoom meetings and close has accelerated the strategies to various educational processes interpersonal communication channels throughout the study period which have taken place in the higher education as well. The first or semester, and provide tailor-made solutions to the constraints Coronavirus case in Sri Lanka was reported on 27th January, 2020. faced by students. Loan schemes to purchase laptops should be According to a survey conducted by ADB, Sri Lanka has made a considered. Take-home exams, creating podcasts, writing blogs, remarkable transition to online tertiary education after closing its producing interactive digital posters and preparing presentations are higher education institutes due to COVID-19. effective strategies. One of the main obstacles faced by the students Paradoxically, a period of social distancing and self-quarantine and teachers during COVID-19 lockdown is the development of have led to increased peer collaboration, shared learning and mutual practical experience, which is the key component in many subjects. assistance. The systems have evolved into well planned quality Therefore, opportunities should be provided to them in many education in some countries. Teachers had to make quick decisions creative ways, such as demonstrations during Zoom programmes regarding their curriculum and syllabi which had to be adapted to 02 College of Chemical Sciences Newsletter January - August, 2021 Volume: 20 No: 01 and other methods of substituting regular practical programmes. as students embracing on line education for their higher degree Radio and TV are very powerful tools. Social networks such as programmes. It is the duty of the authorities to equip the students WhatsApp or SMS can be used to communicate with parents and with the knowledge, tools and resilience that would help them teachers and provide guidelines and instructions through TV and cope effectively with future educational challenges such as those radio. Remote learning is not only online learning but about mixed faced during the present COVID-19 pandemic where movement media learning to enable reaching as many students as possible. of people are restricted and social distancing is an important The role of parents and family is important to assist the students requirement. Practical laboratory training for certain disciplines, in developing socio-emotional skills and learn more about how to student engagement, and credible online examinations will remain contribute to the society as a citizen. Working through mass media challenging as stated by ADB