- Open University of Sri Lanka
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Open University, Sri Lanka Established 1978 Type Public Chancellor Sam Wijesinghe Vice-Chancellor Prof. Upali Vidanapathirana Students 24,697 [1] Location Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka Website http://www.ou.ac.lk/ The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL,ශ්රී ලංකා විවෘත විශ්ව විද්යාලය,இலங்கை திறந்த பல்கலைக்கழகம்) is a national university in Sri Lanka. It is unique within the Sri Lankan national university system for being the only university to offer programmes of study leading to certificate, diploma, degree, postgraduate diploma and postgraduate degree through the Distance Mode/ Learning.[2] OUSL's academic programs enable students to combine theoretical study with meaningful real-world learning experiences.
The OUSL Main Campus is located in Colombo in Nawala, Nugegoda.
Contents
Establishment
The concept of establishing the Open University of Sri Lanka was by Dr. Nissanka Wijeyeratne the Cabinet Minister of Education & Higher Education at the time.[3]
The University was set up by the Government of Sri Lanka under the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978, for the purpose of providing higher educational opportunities to working adults - providing them the road to success, surpassing age, vocation, gender, race, ethnicity and religion.[2]
The university policy on admission would enable a person to register at the lowest 'Level' with mere basic literacy and then climb up to postgraduate level.[4]
The concept of Distance Education at the OUSL functions through a dynamic network of regional and study centres, with knowledge imparted through multiple media. Therefore students with work commitments are able to pursue studies since they interact with especially designed self-instructional materials where the materials function as a “Tutor in Print”. This method provides the distance learner with the best possible learning opportunity to enable a balancing of personal, work related and academic obligations.[4]
Chancellor
The Chancellor is the Head of the University and presides at the convocation of the University.
Sam S. Wijesinghe is the present chancellor of the Open University of Sri Lanka. He was appointed the Chancellor of OUSL in June 2006. He was the former Secretary General of Sri Lanka Parliament.[5]
Vice Chancellor
The Vice Chancellor is the head of administration of the University.
Prof. Upali Vidanapathirana is the current Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Sri Lanka. He was appointed in June 2009. He has more than 30 years of experience in teaching, research and management in the University system and in public sector organizations, and has served as a Senior Lecturer, Professor and the Head of the Department in the Department of Social Studies and as the Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Open University of Sri Lanka.[6]
Vision
The OUSL's Vision is "“To be the premier Open and Distance Learning institution in Asia through excellence, efficiency and equity in lifelong learning” ."
Mission
The OUSL's Mission is To enhance access to high quality, affordable and relevant education through Open Distance Education and ensure life-long learning opportunities to face challenges in a knowledge society
Faculties
The University consists of four Faculties and several divisions. The four faculties are:
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering Technology
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Natural Sciences
Faculty of Education
The Faculty of Education was established in 2003 and currently consists of three departments.[7] These three departments are:
1.Department of Secondary & Tertiary Education
2.Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education
3.Department of Special Needs EducationFaculty of Engineering Technology
The Faculty of Engineering Technology of OUSL offers Bachelor of Technology (Engineering)[B.Tech(Eng)] and Bachelor of Industrial studies (BIS). Bachelor of Technology in Engineering degree offered by the Faculty of Engineering Technology is highly recognised by professional Engineering Insititution; both local and overseas to work as qualified Graduate Engineers. It is also the pioneers of introducing Mechatronics Engineering to Sri Lankan engineering education curricula and would be proud of producing first graduate engineers in Mechatronics engineering on 2010 in Sri Lanka. The Faculty consists of six departments. These six departments are:
1. Department of Agricultural and Plantation Engineering
2. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
3. Department of Mechanical Engineering
4. Department of Textile and Apparel Technology
5. Department of Civil Engineering
6. Department of Mathematics and Philosophy of EngineeringFaculty also offers two Master of Technology programmes in Industrial Engineering and Construction management; each conduct by mechanical and civil engineering departments respectively. New M.Tech degree course is now offered by the department of textile and Apparel technology; which will be commenced on year 2010 called Master of Technology in Apparel Production and management.
Department of Agricultural and Plantation engineering recently established a livestock field station(a model farm)and it is located within the campus premises. It serves undergraduate training and research.
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) is the largest faculty of the OUSL.[8] The Faculty consists of the four following departments:
1. Department of Language Studies
2. Department of Law
3. Department of Social Studies
4. Department of ManagementFaculty of Natural Sciences
The Faculty of Natural Sciences was established in 1987[9] and consists of the six following departments:
1.Department of Botany
2.Department of Chemistry
3.Department of Health Science
4.Department of Mathematics
5.Department of Physics
6.Department of ZoologyNon-Academic/ Support Divisions
- Library Services
- Educational Technology
- Regional Educational Services
- Information Technology
- Staff Development Centre
Administrative divisions
The administration is done by other Divisions.
Finance Division
Information Technology Division
Establishment Division
General Administration Division
Student Affairs Division
Regional Educational Services Division
Public Information office
Maintanance Division
Operations Division
Internal and Government Audit DivisionStudent activities
Students Unions
"OPEN INDEPENDENT STUDENT TEAM" to protect students rights
References
- ^ http://192.248.73.42/stat/datafiles/ALLPROCEN.TXT
- ^ a b The Open University of Sri Lanka Homepage [1] Retrieved on 23 Nov 2009
- ^ Saga of Nilame and Kumarihamy by Lakmal Welabada. Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 10th December 2006.
- ^ a b The Open University of Sri Lanka Homepage [2] Retrieved on 23 Nov 2009
- ^ The Open University of Sri Lanka Homepage [3] Retrieved on 23 Nov 2009
- ^ The Open University of Sri Lanka Homepage [4] Retrieved on 23 Nov 2009
- ^ The Open University of Sri Lanka Homepage [5] Retrieved on 23 Nov 2009
- ^ The Open University of Sri Lanka Homepage [6] Retrieved on 23 Nov 2009
- ^ The Open University of Sri Lanka Homepage [7] Retrieved on 23 Nov 2009
Universities in Sri Lanka University of Colombo · University of Peradeniya · University of Ruhuna · University of Sri Jayewardenepura · University of Kelaniya · University of Moratuwa · University of Jaffna · Open University of Sri Lanka · Eastern University of Sri Lanka · South Eastern University of Sri Lanka · Rajarata University · Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka · Wayamba University of Sri Lanka · University of the Visual & Performing Arts · Uva Wellassa UniversityCategories:- Universities in Sri Lanka
- Universities in Colombo
- Open universities
- Educational institutions established in 1978
- Association of Commonwealth Universities
- Statutory Boards of Sri Lanka
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