UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO SRI LANKA ANNUAL REPORT 2016 1 Our Vision A center of excellence of global presence in research, teaching, learning and engagement in the knowledge society 2 Our Mission To be a benchmark setter in creating, disseminating, and applying multi-disciplinary knowledge in the global presence, producing high quality human competencies for innovation, independent thinking, and entrepreneurship within a collaborative work environment while upholding national values 3 Vice-Chancellor’s Message It is with great pleasure and a sense of pride that I present the Annual Report of University of Colombo for the year 2016. I am delighted to report that the University of Colombo was ranked among the top 300 universities in 50 countries according to the survey of the Prestigious Times Higher Education (BRICS) and Emerging Economies Rankings 2017 on 30 November 2016. The inclusion of the University of Colombo in the BRICS and Emerging Economies ranking is a significant achievement, as it indicates the University’s ranking as one of the top 300 institutions among the 50 countries being included in the analysis. Being one of the Universities in the Emerging Economy, and achieving this ranking among the top renowned institutions worldwide is indeed a commendable feat. Above all, The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016-2017 placed the University of Colombo within the top 980 universities in the world. It is the only global university performance table that judges the world class universities across all of their core missions on teaching, research, dissemination of Knowledge in international outlook. It is worth mentioning here that a favorable environment prevailed in the University contributed significantly towards learning, research, dissemination of knowledge and other related activities. Forty five of the University of Colombo Scientific Affiliations received the Presidential Awards for their research publications. Further, academicians the University of Colombo was granted establishment of two more new Faculties, i.e. Faculty for Technology and Faculty of Nursing. Further, many more Memoranda of Understanding were signed with international universities and agencies for furthering academic and related collaborative programmes. The Annual Research Symposium of the University was held successfully in late October 2016 at the University premises and some more International Conferences were also organized by the Faculties during the second half of 2016 in order to enhance the research culture of the University. The General Convocation and the Postgraduate Convocation were held in July and December 2016 respectively in a glamorous manner. In addition to the academic activities, the students were heavily involved in co-curricular and extra curricular activities such as sports, debates, aesthetic and cultural events and community - based extension programmes. The University of Colombo colours awarding ceremony was held in a grand scale. Students of the University also won several awards and championships in many of events. Hence, I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Council, the Senate, the Registrar, the Bursar and all the Heads of departments and all the other staff of the University of Colombo for making the year 2016 a very productive one. Senior Professor Lakshman Dissanayake Vice Chancellor February 2017 4 Highlights 2016 • The University of Colombo (UOC) was ranked among the top 300 universities in the 50 countries according to the survey of prestigious Times Higher Education BRICS & Emerging Economics Rankings on 30th November 2016. • The University of Colombo has been ranked within the top 980 Universities in the World by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016-2017. • The University of Colombo Obtained grade “A” in the grading of overall University performances at the International Review 2016. • The Inauguration Ceremony of the Confucius Institute was held on 30th December 2016 at the FGS Auditorium, in the College House University of Colombo. The Chief Guest of the ceremony was Her Excellency Pang Chun Xue, the Acting Ambassador of China, and Professor Lakshman Dissanayake, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo graced the occassion. • The University of Colombo entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland, on 2nd December 2016. • The President’s Awards for Scientific Publication were held on 22nd November 2016. Forty five academics of the University of Colombo scientific affiliations received awards for their research published in 2014. • The Postgraduate Convocation of the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka was held on 06th & 07th December 2016 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) for the conferment of Postgraduate Degrees and Diplomas. • His Royal Highness Prince of Perlis, the Chancellor of University Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia and His Excellency Mr. Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah, the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Sri Lanka visited Professor Lakshman Dissanayake, the Vice Chancellor of University of Colombo on 30thNovember. During the meeting of both parties explord the mutually benefits to initiate collaborative projects between the two institutes and agreed to initiate collaborative work in the areas of ICT, Business Management and Social Media. • “Champions Night” – The University of Colombo Colours Awards Ceremony 2016 was held on 21st November at Waters Edge, at Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte. • A high profile delegation led by Professor Tony O’Dennel, Pro Vice Chancellor and the Executive Dean of Faculty of Science from University of Western Australia visited the University of Colombo on 15th November 2016. The discussions were mainly on initiating 5 joint degree programs and postgraduate student exchange programs between the two institutes. • The team “DESTROYER” from of Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, won the silver award in the university category at the Sri Lanka Robotics Competition (SLRC 2016), organized by the E-Club of the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, University of Moratuwa, held on 11th November 2016. • The International Research Conference – Faculty of Arts, under the theme of “Managing Transitions for Empowerment: Sri Lanka Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” was held on 12th & 13th October 2016. • The President of the South Asian University, Dr. Kavita Sharma visited the University of Colombo on 14th October 2016. During the meeting both parties discussed to initiate joint research projects by the two institutes and explored the possibility of expanding the cooperation in to other arenas. • The inauguration of the University of Colombo Annual Research Symposium 2016 was held at the FGS auditorium of University of Colombo on 11th October 2016. • Professor Raj Mehta , Vice Provost of UC International, Professor Lisa Holstrom, Senior Assistant Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, Professor Gowribalan Ananda Vamadeva, Associate Professor of Mathematics of University of Cincinnati, Ohio State, USA, visited Professor Lakshman Dissanayake , the Vice Chancellor of University of Colombo on 11th October 2016 and discussed about initiating student/staff exchange, joint research and short term excursion programs between the two institutes in the near future. • A MoU was signed with the Ministry of Justice & Faculty of Law, University of Colombo on 6th October 2016. • “Tourism Leaders Summit and International Symposium 2016” concluded on 28th of September at the BMICH to celebrate this year’s Word Tourism Day. • Professor Senaka Rajapakse, Professor of Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo was awarded the CVCD Excellence Award – 2016, for the Most Outstanding Senior Researcher in Health Sciences • Including Medicine, Dental Science, Veterinary Science and other Allied Sciences. • Professor D.U.J. Sonnadara, Senior Professor and Chair of Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo was awarded the CVCD Excellence Award – 2016, for the Most Outstanding Senior Researcher in the field of Physical Sciences. 6 • The foundation stone for the establishment of the Faculty of Technology complex was laid by Professor Lakshman Dissanayake, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Colombo on 22nd September 2016 at the Techno City, Pitipana. • The Centre for the Study of Human Rights (CSHR), University of Colombo organised an International Conference on Human Rights, Citizenship and Democratisation on 27 and 28 August 2016, to celebrate its 25th Anniversary in the field of human rights. • The General Convocation of the University of Colombo was held on 15th and 16th of August, 2016 at the BMICH for the conferment of Bachelor’s Degrees of the University of Colombo. • Professor Wang Li, Dean of the International College, Mr. Cai Zusen, Deputy Director, office of undergraduate program, International College, Zhejiang University, China, visited the University of Colombo on 12th August. During the visit both parties explored the possibility of developing joint research collaboration and initiating student and faculty exchange programs between the two institutes in the area of Science. • Renovated IFS computer laboratory at the Department of Physics was reopened on the 29th of June, 2016 by the Vice Chancellor and the CEO of IFS. • The Inauguration of the Legal Aid Unit of the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo was held successfully on the 6th of May 2016 with the participation of the Hon. Attorney