The new premises of the faculty of technology of Uva University was handed over to the possession of the students recently with the patronage of The Minister of Education Dinesh Gunawardana and The Minister of Labour Nimal Siripala de Silva. This four storied building constructed spending 316 million is consisted of modern laboratories, lecture halls, an auditorium and modern learning equipment.
Expressing his ideas at this occasion The Minister of Education Dinesh Gunawardana said,
“The Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva remembers the way of starting Uva Wellassa University. I can remember as the deputy minister of higher education at that time the difficult occasions with many arguments and disputes. However, we could start the university. Otherwise, efforts could be further delayed. This was helpful for generating new projects, new avenues for better livelihoods for the people in Uva. Uwa did greatest sacrifices in our country in the recent history. Only a few historians know how bloody was the Wellassa uprising against the British invasion. But the burn out villages losing several generations did not rise again. That is why we are trying to rectify this historical injustice today
It happens to us to bring the facilities of information technology to the universities, our national schools and the rural schools with the development you are experiencing. Our inventions can be sent to the schools quickly.
I hope that we would be able to give the results of advanced level and ordinary level within a short period of time with the new proposal we are planning to implement. At least one and half years of life of our students is saved to enter a university or a higher education institution.
Uva is a place which has exhibited a very positive approach to the university system within the higher education. Today we opened the faculty of technology. It gives a new opening to a new area.
The programs of HE the President have been opened new areas with the Covid 19. Many affairs in our institutions throughout the country could be rejuvenated and regained with the use of new technology. Uva Wellassa university started the best technology degree. In addition to that, its standing is to be the one and only institution of the nation that offers three technology degrees. They are engineering, bio-systems and information technology. This year we have increased the university intake by 10000. This for the challenges we faced for the future of the nation which has established new fields globally. In our Indian ocean that has been the center of higher education and the information technology, Sri Lanka cannot be left out to the reverse and we have taken the advantage of strategic development in Asia. I would like to mention the other sections like food technology. A dialogue has already been made regarding the reusable energy, minerals, gem industry and the medical faculty.
I hope these new technological sections in our university system, specially Uva Wellassa will take for special consideration. After taking over Ragala farm which is our pioneer seed potato developer, we could not take the service of that research center. These are the new fields that need more attention. The tea industry facing many challenges in Uva Wellassa, various management approaches among the universities and other areas are the new fields that can be promoted together.
The Member of Parliament Dilan Perera, member of education advisory committee of the parliament Yadamini Gunawardana, Member of Parliament Aravinda Kumar, Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Jayanthalal Ratnasekara and the Head of the Faculty Professor K.B. Wijesekara also participated in this occasion.
