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| Saturday, 24 July 2004 |
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Aims to develop new concepts in developing the nation The annual general meeting of the Alumni Association of Kelaniya University will be held on July 25, at 10.00 a.m. at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Science, University campus, Kelaniya. This association, a gathering of past students of Kelaniya University was established about 15 years ago. The association was inaugurated on October 4, 1986 as a Graduates' Society of University of Kelaniya under the guidance of then Vice Chancellor Prof. Indraratne Balasooriya. It had only 90 members at the inception. It has now developed to a large organisation with a membership over 500 past students. University of Kelaniya was known as Vidyalankara University from 1959 to 1970, Vidyalankara Campus of the University of Sri Lanka during 1971 to 1977 and since 1978 as University of Kelaniya. This university was established to enhance the knowledge in various disciplines such as languages, social sciences and applied sciences and build a knowledge based society with academics and professionals who can contribute to the moral, physical, educational, social and economic development of the country and overall improvement of the nation. The University was inaugurated on January 1, 1959 and the first convocation was held on June 17, 1959. The chief guest was then President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad and was chaired by Kelaniya University Chancellor, Sir Oliver Goonetillake. Then Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike addressing the gathering said: "The main task and the responsibility of the future graduates of the newly inaugurated university is to contribute to build a prosperous nation and a country and work to achieve social, moral and economic development of the fellow citizens." Then Vice Chancellor Ven. Kiriwaththuduwe Pragnasara Thera said all students should work hard to develop their talents and the skills and achieve excellence in their relevant field of study to promote the dignity and the image of the university and the reputation of parents and students as well. The main objective of establishing the Alumni Association has been clearly expressed in the above statements. The university has so far to produced over 30,000 graduates in different disciplines and they have been holding various high positions in the society, locally and internationally. Their contribution towards the growth and the development of the nation is significant. They have spread all over the country. The main purpose of the Alumni Association is to bring their talents and skills together to promote the country in all aspects. Togetherness among 30,000 graduates who have completed their studies at Kelaniya University since 1959 to date is a vital force in the Sri Lankan society and we are trying to utilise their knowledge, talents and skills to build the country and the nation. The Association has so far developed district based branch organisations in Kandy, Galle, Matale, Ratnapura, Anuradhapura, and Gampaha and plans are under way to cover the entire island. During the past few years, gold medals were presented by the Association to students of excellent academic performance. An address directory was printed last year providing details of members of the association. Plans are under way to introduce a scholarship scheme to assist undergraduates of low income groups in the university. However, the membership of the association is still very low when compared with the number of graduates passed out from the university during the past 45 years. We appeal to all past students to join this umbrella and help of build and develop the country and the nation and at the same time to grow our mutual relationship. Team effort is the best way to achieve excellence. Joe Perera, Executive Committee Member Alumni Association, University of Kelaniya. |
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