Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sri Lankan students can now get a university degree through online education..!!!
Online degree chance for Lankans.............by Dasun Edirisinghe
Sri Lankan students can now get a university degree through online education, Higher Education Minister Prof Wiswa Warnapala announced yesterday.
The Minister said that he was delighted at the revolutionary introduction which is also a realisation of one of the promises pledged under the ‘Semata Sarasavi’ (University Education for All) theme of the Mahinda Chinthana manifesto.
The innovative scheme is offered by NODES, the National Online Distance Education Service, commenced under the Distance Education Modernisation Project (DEMP) of the Higher Education Ministry.
He said the NODES programme was declared open for students on March 1.
NODES, introduced under the DEMP, started in 2004 and 26 centres had been set up islandwide, he said.
This innovation would create greater opportunities for tertiary education through Online Distance Learning (ODL).
Universities, professional associations, private and public sector education institutions are instructed to adopt this mode of learning to cater to a larger student population.
The Minister said the NODES had introduced 46 courses of studies and these courses allowed the students to choose a course of study leading to a degree, diploma or certificate, depending on their qualifications.
A loan agreement signed between the Asian Development Bank and the Sri Lankan government on August 18, 2003 launched the DEMP.
www island.lk
Sri Lankan students can now get a university degree through online education, Higher Education Minister Prof Wiswa Warnapala announced yesterday.
The Minister said that he was delighted at the revolutionary introduction which is also a realisation of one of the promises pledged under the ‘Semata Sarasavi’ (University Education for All) theme of the Mahinda Chinthana manifesto.
The innovative scheme is offered by NODES, the National Online Distance Education Service, commenced under the Distance Education Modernisation Project (DEMP) of the Higher Education Ministry.
He said the NODES programme was declared open for students on March 1.
NODES, introduced under the DEMP, started in 2004 and 26 centres had been set up islandwide, he said.
This innovation would create greater opportunities for tertiary education through Online Distance Learning (ODL).
Universities, professional associations, private and public sector education institutions are instructed to adopt this mode of learning to cater to a larger student population.
The Minister said the NODES had introduced 46 courses of studies and these courses allowed the students to choose a course of study leading to a degree, diploma or certificate, depending on their qualifications.
A loan agreement signed between the Asian Development Bank and the Sri Lankan government on August 18, 2003 launched the DEMP.
www island.lk
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode is a viable option in the educational arena...!!!
Monday, 22 March 2010
Open distance learning
Alternative provider of quality education:
H. M. Guneratne Banda
The Open School Department in NIE has completed six years of its journey and has proved that the Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode is a viable option in the educational arena. The NIE with the assistance of Prison Department in Welikada will organise a series of activities to create awareness on open schooling among all the stakeholders of the country.
[Advancement]
* Lanka achieves higher HDI than all S Asian countries
* Adult literacy rate 90.7 percent
* Infant mortality rate 17 per 1,000
* Life expectancy 7.1 percent
* Annual population growth rate 1.1 percent
* NIE created Department for Open Schooling in 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Definition
A short definition of Open Schooling is
“the physical separation of the school level learner from the teacher and the use of unconventional teaching methodologies, and information and communication technologies to bridge the separation and provide the educational and training” (Phillips, 2006)
National Institute of Education, Maharagama. Pic. courtesy: Google
Open Schools design flexible programs to meet learner needs without requiring full time attendance at a traditional school. It recognises that students learn in different ways, at different speeds and at different times of their lives. Distance learning combined with periodic face-to-face contact sessions allow students to learn at their own pace.
Commonwealth of Learning (COL) defines usually there are no rules dictating student ages, prerequisites, content of courses. As a result, open schooling meets the needs of a broad range of learners.
Global vision for Education Provision
UNESCO, in its report and ‘Learning - The Treasure within’, of 1996, aimed to provide a frame of reference to cope with the challenges and demands of the new millennium. It proposed the following four pillars of education, as essentials for all whether young or older to function effectively in the new millennium.
These are:
(a) Learning to do or becoming competent
(b) Learning to learn or remaining a life-long learner.
(c) Learning to live with others or learning to relate
(d) Learning to be or live by a set of principles; be a person of character
Sri Lankan context
Sri Lanka has experienced a series of changes in its overall education policy since attaining independence from British colonial rule in 1948. The new education policy has been prepared with the consultation of relevant stakeholders and it is ready to be submitted to the Parliament in due course. We forwarded our suggestions and comments the importance of open schooling systems especially in a country like Sri Lanka.
Interaction was key as teachers participated at several group
projects at NIE, Maharagama. Pic. courtesy: Google
Sri Lanka has achieved Human Development Indicators (HDI) higher than all South Asian countries. The adult literacy rate is 90.7 percent, infant mortality rate 17 per 1,000; and life expectancy is 7.1 and annual population growth rate is 1.1 percent.
Sri Lanka provides free education and university entrance is confined to 1 percent and rest is compelled to pursue higher education through professional institutions. With all these provisions every year a considerable number of children dropped out from the school.
Thus the natural question arises: what is the chance that children will continue his/her schooling in present condition of education? Hence an attempt has been made to find out the survival chance for each school going age.
Realizing the importance of providing educational opportunities the NE created a separate Department for Open Schooling in 2004 and first open school was established at Negombo Open Prisons Camp with the assistance of Prison Department.
Methodology
The Open School Department in NIE is responsible to provide academic input such as learning materials, modules and A.V. material for the course participants. Internal as well as external resource persons are engaged to prepare learning material and submit to the Academic Affairs and the NIE Council for approval before distributing to the learners.
An Advisory Committee consisting of eminent educationists will take policy decisions in consultation with the Director General of the NIE. Already ten centres have been established throughout the country in taking into consideration of local demands. More than 1,000 learners enrolled during the year 2009. Each centre is supported by a senior tutor who provides learner support.
The Millennium Development Goals set by the UN in 2000 had the following items:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve material health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development
International context
We live in a knowledge-dominated world today. We witness tremendous progress made in science and technology. Hence, the fundamental division among the peoples of the world today is due to the knowledge gap. We also witness today massive poverty and gross inequalities and injustices in many fields of life. Open Schooling could be regarded as a one of the options to provide learning opportunities.
Developing countries will not be able to achieve the goal of providing Education For All (EFA) without including ODL programs as part of their response the challenge.
Developing countries are taking steps to spread open school system to remote areas.
Open schools are not new. The figures refer to the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) in India. NIOS has enrolled more than 1.5 million students over the past four years. 16 states established Open Schools for the benefit of distant learners.
In this context, the future workforce will need high levels of knowledge and skills to deal with new technologies and integrated production systems. Services and facilitate learning on individual basis. Tutors will come to the NIE with problems encountered during teaching and learning processes and possible remedial measures will be discussed. This could be regarded as sharing of best practices among other tutors.
The following courses are conducting by Open School Department in NIE:
Foundation Course
Secondary Course
Life Enrichment Course
Language Skill Development Course
GTZ provides financial assistance to carry out planned activities during the last two years. It is intended to get the cooperation from local, regional and international organisations to strengthen the Open School system in Sri Lanka.
The writer is Assistant Director General, National Institute of Education, Maharagama.
gune@nie.lk
.............................dailynews.lk
Open distance learning
Alternative provider of quality education:
H. M. Guneratne Banda
The Open School Department in NIE has completed six years of its journey and has proved that the Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode is a viable option in the educational arena. The NIE with the assistance of Prison Department in Welikada will organise a series of activities to create awareness on open schooling among all the stakeholders of the country.
[Advancement]
* Lanka achieves higher HDI than all S Asian countries
* Adult literacy rate 90.7 percent
* Infant mortality rate 17 per 1,000
* Life expectancy 7.1 percent
* Annual population growth rate 1.1 percent
* NIE created Department for Open Schooling in 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Definition
A short definition of Open Schooling is
“the physical separation of the school level learner from the teacher and the use of unconventional teaching methodologies, and information and communication technologies to bridge the separation and provide the educational and training” (Phillips, 2006)
National Institute of Education, Maharagama. Pic. courtesy: Google
Open Schools design flexible programs to meet learner needs without requiring full time attendance at a traditional school. It recognises that students learn in different ways, at different speeds and at different times of their lives. Distance learning combined with periodic face-to-face contact sessions allow students to learn at their own pace.
Commonwealth of Learning (COL) defines usually there are no rules dictating student ages, prerequisites, content of courses. As a result, open schooling meets the needs of a broad range of learners.
Global vision for Education Provision
UNESCO, in its report and ‘Learning - The Treasure within’, of 1996, aimed to provide a frame of reference to cope with the challenges and demands of the new millennium. It proposed the following four pillars of education, as essentials for all whether young or older to function effectively in the new millennium.
These are:
(a) Learning to do or becoming competent
(b) Learning to learn or remaining a life-long learner.
(c) Learning to live with others or learning to relate
(d) Learning to be or live by a set of principles; be a person of character
Sri Lankan context
Sri Lanka has experienced a series of changes in its overall education policy since attaining independence from British colonial rule in 1948. The new education policy has been prepared with the consultation of relevant stakeholders and it is ready to be submitted to the Parliament in due course. We forwarded our suggestions and comments the importance of open schooling systems especially in a country like Sri Lanka.
Interaction was key as teachers participated at several group
projects at NIE, Maharagama. Pic. courtesy: Google
Sri Lanka has achieved Human Development Indicators (HDI) higher than all South Asian countries. The adult literacy rate is 90.7 percent, infant mortality rate 17 per 1,000; and life expectancy is 7.1 and annual population growth rate is 1.1 percent.
Sri Lanka provides free education and university entrance is confined to 1 percent and rest is compelled to pursue higher education through professional institutions. With all these provisions every year a considerable number of children dropped out from the school.
Thus the natural question arises: what is the chance that children will continue his/her schooling in present condition of education? Hence an attempt has been made to find out the survival chance for each school going age.
Realizing the importance of providing educational opportunities the NE created a separate Department for Open Schooling in 2004 and first open school was established at Negombo Open Prisons Camp with the assistance of Prison Department.
Methodology
The Open School Department in NIE is responsible to provide academic input such as learning materials, modules and A.V. material for the course participants. Internal as well as external resource persons are engaged to prepare learning material and submit to the Academic Affairs and the NIE Council for approval before distributing to the learners.
An Advisory Committee consisting of eminent educationists will take policy decisions in consultation with the Director General of the NIE. Already ten centres have been established throughout the country in taking into consideration of local demands. More than 1,000 learners enrolled during the year 2009. Each centre is supported by a senior tutor who provides learner support.
The Millennium Development Goals set by the UN in 2000 had the following items:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve material health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development
International context
We live in a knowledge-dominated world today. We witness tremendous progress made in science and technology. Hence, the fundamental division among the peoples of the world today is due to the knowledge gap. We also witness today massive poverty and gross inequalities and injustices in many fields of life. Open Schooling could be regarded as a one of the options to provide learning opportunities.
Developing countries will not be able to achieve the goal of providing Education For All (EFA) without including ODL programs as part of their response the challenge.
Developing countries are taking steps to spread open school system to remote areas.
Open schools are not new. The figures refer to the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) in India. NIOS has enrolled more than 1.5 million students over the past four years. 16 states established Open Schools for the benefit of distant learners.
In this context, the future workforce will need high levels of knowledge and skills to deal with new technologies and integrated production systems. Services and facilitate learning on individual basis. Tutors will come to the NIE with problems encountered during teaching and learning processes and possible remedial measures will be discussed. This could be regarded as sharing of best practices among other tutors.
The following courses are conducting by Open School Department in NIE:
Foundation Course
Secondary Course
Life Enrichment Course
Language Skill Development Course
GTZ provides financial assistance to carry out planned activities during the last two years. It is intended to get the cooperation from local, regional and international organisations to strengthen the Open School system in Sri Lanka.
The writer is Assistant Director General, National Institute of Education, Maharagama.
gune@nie.lk
.............................dailynews.lk
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The so-called sunshine vitamin, which can be obtained from food or manufactured by human skin exposed to the sun, is boosting the immune system..!!!
Vitamin D ‘triggers and arms’ the immune system........By Richard Alleyne,
Science Correspondent
Vitamin D is crucial to the fending off of infections, claims new research.
The so-called sunshine vitamin, which can be obtained from food or manufactured by human skin exposed to the sun, plays a key role in boosting the immune system, researchers believe.
In particular it triggers and arms the body’s T cells, the cells in the body that seek out and destroy any invading bacteria and viruses.
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that Vitamin D is crucial to activating our immune defences and that without sufficient intake of the vitamin, the killer cells of the immune system – T cells – will not be able to react to and fight off serious infections in the body.
For T cells to detect and kill foreign pathogens such as clumps of bacteria or viruses, the cells must first be ‘triggered’ into action and "transform" from inactive and harmless immune cells into killer cells that are primed to seek out and destroy all traces of invaders.
The researchers found that the T cells rely on vitamin D in order activate and they would remain dormant, ‘naïve’ to the possibility of threat if vitamin D is lacking in the blood.
Professor Carsten Geisler from the Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, said: "When a T cell is exposed to a foreign pathogen, it extends a signalling device or ‘antenna’ known as a vitamin D receptor, with which it searches for vitamin D.
"This means that the T cell must have vitamin D or activation of the cell will cease. If the T cells cannot find enough vitamin D in the blood, they won’t even begin to mobilise. "
The discovery, the scientists believe, provides much needed information about the immune system and will help them regulate the immune response.
This is important not only in fighting disease but also in dealing with anti-immune reactions of the body and the rejection of transplanted organs.
Active T cells multiply at an explosive rate and can create an inflammatory environment with serious consequences for the body.
After organ transplants, T cells can attack the donor organ as a ‘foreign invader’. In autoimmune diseases, like arthritis or Crohns Disease, T cells mistake fragments of the body’s own cells for foreign invaders, leading to the body launching an attack upon itself.
For the research team, identifying the role of vitamin D in the activation of T cells has been a major breakthrough.
"Scientists have known for a long time that vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and the vitamin has also been implicated in diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, but what we didn’t realise is how crucial vitamin D is for actually activating the immune system – which we know now, " said the researchers.
The findings, continues Professor Geisler, "could help us to contain infectious diseases and global epidemics.
They will be of particular use when developing new vaccines, which work precisely on the basis of both training our immune systems to react and suppressing the body’s natural defences in situations where this is important – as is the case with organ transplants and autoimmune disease."
Most Vitamin D is produced as a natural by-product of the skin’s exposure to sunlight. It can also be found in fish liver oil, eggs and fatty fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel or taken as a dietary supplement.
The findings are published in the latest edition of Nature Immunology
(C) The Telegraph Group
London 2010
www island.lk
Science Correspondent
Vitamin D is crucial to the fending off of infections, claims new research.
The so-called sunshine vitamin, which can be obtained from food or manufactured by human skin exposed to the sun, plays a key role in boosting the immune system, researchers believe.
In particular it triggers and arms the body’s T cells, the cells in the body that seek out and destroy any invading bacteria and viruses.
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that Vitamin D is crucial to activating our immune defences and that without sufficient intake of the vitamin, the killer cells of the immune system – T cells – will not be able to react to and fight off serious infections in the body.
For T cells to detect and kill foreign pathogens such as clumps of bacteria or viruses, the cells must first be ‘triggered’ into action and "transform" from inactive and harmless immune cells into killer cells that are primed to seek out and destroy all traces of invaders.
The researchers found that the T cells rely on vitamin D in order activate and they would remain dormant, ‘naïve’ to the possibility of threat if vitamin D is lacking in the blood.
Professor Carsten Geisler from the Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, said: "When a T cell is exposed to a foreign pathogen, it extends a signalling device or ‘antenna’ known as a vitamin D receptor, with which it searches for vitamin D.
"This means that the T cell must have vitamin D or activation of the cell will cease. If the T cells cannot find enough vitamin D in the blood, they won’t even begin to mobilise. "
The discovery, the scientists believe, provides much needed information about the immune system and will help them regulate the immune response.
This is important not only in fighting disease but also in dealing with anti-immune reactions of the body and the rejection of transplanted organs.
Active T cells multiply at an explosive rate and can create an inflammatory environment with serious consequences for the body.
After organ transplants, T cells can attack the donor organ as a ‘foreign invader’. In autoimmune diseases, like arthritis or Crohns Disease, T cells mistake fragments of the body’s own cells for foreign invaders, leading to the body launching an attack upon itself.
For the research team, identifying the role of vitamin D in the activation of T cells has been a major breakthrough.
"Scientists have known for a long time that vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and the vitamin has also been implicated in diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, but what we didn’t realise is how crucial vitamin D is for actually activating the immune system – which we know now, " said the researchers.
The findings, continues Professor Geisler, "could help us to contain infectious diseases and global epidemics.
They will be of particular use when developing new vaccines, which work precisely on the basis of both training our immune systems to react and suppressing the body’s natural defences in situations where this is important – as is the case with organ transplants and autoimmune disease."
Most Vitamin D is produced as a natural by-product of the skin’s exposure to sunlight. It can also be found in fish liver oil, eggs and fatty fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel or taken as a dietary supplement.
The findings are published in the latest edition of Nature Immunology
(C) The Telegraph Group
London 2010
www island.lk
Monday, February 22, 2010
SL: New visa rules for students entering UK...!!!
New visa rules for students entering UK
The British High Commission in Colombo has announced that new visa rules will be in effect from the 22nd of February for students entering the UK’s educational institutions for studies.
According to the statement issued by the High Commission in Colombo, from 22 February 2010 all students who apply for studying in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system must possess a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from their sponsor.
The CAS will replace the Visa Letter for overseas Tier 4 applications on 22 February 2010. The CAS is a virtual document, not an actual certificate, and it contains a unique 14 digit electronic reference number.
The press release said the Visa Letters would no longer be accepted in support of a Tier 4 visa application. Sponsors would provide students with a unique CAS reference number to quote in their visa application.
The CAS contains information about the course of study for which it has been issued and the student’s personal details. Like the Visa Letter, the CAS will become invalid if not used to make a visa application within 6 months of issue.
Holding a valid CAS does not guarantee that a student’s application will be successful, the release said adding that students must meet the requirements of Tier 4 and the Immigration Rules.
A student may hold several CASs issued by different sponsors, but can only use one to apply for a Tier 4 visa.
Under the new rule the High Commission says that until 21 February 2010, students can continue to apply under Tier 4 using a visa letter, even if their course of study starts after 22 February 2010.
From 22 February 2010 they will not be able to apply under Tier 4 using a visa letter, even if the visa letter was issued before 22 February 2010.
www island.lk
The British High Commission in Colombo has announced that new visa rules will be in effect from the 22nd of February for students entering the UK’s educational institutions for studies.
According to the statement issued by the High Commission in Colombo, from 22 February 2010 all students who apply for studying in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system must possess a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from their sponsor.
The CAS will replace the Visa Letter for overseas Tier 4 applications on 22 February 2010. The CAS is a virtual document, not an actual certificate, and it contains a unique 14 digit electronic reference number.
The press release said the Visa Letters would no longer be accepted in support of a Tier 4 visa application. Sponsors would provide students with a unique CAS reference number to quote in their visa application.
The CAS contains information about the course of study for which it has been issued and the student’s personal details. Like the Visa Letter, the CAS will become invalid if not used to make a visa application within 6 months of issue.
Holding a valid CAS does not guarantee that a student’s application will be successful, the release said adding that students must meet the requirements of Tier 4 and the Immigration Rules.
A student may hold several CASs issued by different sponsors, but can only use one to apply for a Tier 4 visa.
Under the new rule the High Commission says that until 21 February 2010, students can continue to apply under Tier 4 using a visa letter, even if their course of study starts after 22 February 2010.
From 22 February 2010 they will not be able to apply under Tier 4 using a visa letter, even if the visa letter was issued before 22 February 2010.
www island.lk
Monday, February 15, 2010
All citizens of this beautiful island need to feel that this country is their country and that State institutions serve all of them indiscriminately.!
German-Lanka partnership:
Focusing on post-war development
Dharmasri Abeyratne
Following are the excerpts of an interview by the Daily News with German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jens Ploetne on the German technical and development assistance to Sri Lanka.
Q: The German Technological Training institute has played a vital role in Sri Lanka. How do you view the development and success of this institute over the past 50 years?
A: German Tech, as it is commonly known, has become a brand name for sustainable and successful development cooperation in Sri Lanka. Many thousand highly skilled technicians or drivers have graduated since 1959. Today, each one of them is a living proof of how successful the typically German combination of theoretical and practical training has developed in Sri Lanka.
Q: How would you elaborate the types of technical and engineering assistance provided during this period?
A: Education at the CGTTI starts of with a General Basic training for all students. After that, different types of specialization can be chosen from machinist to automotive electrician.
Technical education is vital for economic development. File photo
From the start, the students had a broad choice of specialization. But German Tech has always kept up with the newest technical standards.
Today, for example, students get trained state-of-the-art computer-assisted-development (CAD) with the latest technology. During my last visit to German Tech I was very impressed by this modern learning-environment.
Q: Has Germany increased technical know-how and funding to this institute during the past 50 years?
A: While German Tech today stands on its own feet, partnership with the renowned vocational training school in Metzingen continues. That is why a high-ranking delegation from Metzingen will assist today’s festivities in Moratuwa.
Q: What was the reason for Germany to enter into such cooperation?
A: Fifty years ago, German Tech was the first big German development aid project. Since then, many have followed. Just think of the two dams financed by Germany in the Mahaweli Development scheme in Randenigala and Rantambe or a seven million Dollar grant for developing the Colombo Harbour as early as 1961! Overall, German State development aid to Sri Lanka amounts to more than Dollar 1.5 billion.
Q: What is the role of the German Tech in Sri Lanka?
A: I think that for Sri Lanka German Tech had a double benefit: It introduced state-of-the-art technology to its economy and had provided the country with a significant number of well-trained specialists.
Q: What would role Germany play at this Engineering and Technical exhibition?
A: Different German institutions will exhibit at the fair starting today in Moratuwa. The German Embassy will inform about German companies such as Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen or Porsche as well as the possibilities of studying in Germany. GTZ will provide information about its long history of development work in and for Sri Lanka.
Q: How do you view Germany as a competitor in the Western technological and engineering market?
A: German companies remain leading providers for high-end technology and engineering.
German products might not always be the cheapest, but as everybody knows: at the end of the day, quality pays.
Q: What are your future plans to assist this institute and other sectors in Sri Lanka to be a partner in Sri Lanka’s massive effort to become a developed nation?
A: Cooperation between Germany and German Tech will continue. It has evolved into a real partnership we all can be proud of.
Beyond that, German development aid today is very much focused on helping Sri Lanka overcome the consequences of nearly 30 years of armed conflict.
The war has been won, but building peace is a long and very demanding task. All citizens of this beautiful island need to feel that this country is their country and that State institutions serve all of them indiscriminately. My country stands ready to help Sri Lanka in this challenging and historic task.
DAILYNEWS.LK
Focusing on post-war development
Dharmasri Abeyratne
Following are the excerpts of an interview by the Daily News with German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jens Ploetne on the German technical and development assistance to Sri Lanka.
Q: The German Technological Training institute has played a vital role in Sri Lanka. How do you view the development and success of this institute over the past 50 years?
A: German Tech, as it is commonly known, has become a brand name for sustainable and successful development cooperation in Sri Lanka. Many thousand highly skilled technicians or drivers have graduated since 1959. Today, each one of them is a living proof of how successful the typically German combination of theoretical and practical training has developed in Sri Lanka.
Q: How would you elaborate the types of technical and engineering assistance provided during this period?
A: Education at the CGTTI starts of with a General Basic training for all students. After that, different types of specialization can be chosen from machinist to automotive electrician.
Technical education is vital for economic development. File photo
From the start, the students had a broad choice of specialization. But German Tech has always kept up with the newest technical standards.
Today, for example, students get trained state-of-the-art computer-assisted-development (CAD) with the latest technology. During my last visit to German Tech I was very impressed by this modern learning-environment.
Q: Has Germany increased technical know-how and funding to this institute during the past 50 years?
A: While German Tech today stands on its own feet, partnership with the renowned vocational training school in Metzingen continues. That is why a high-ranking delegation from Metzingen will assist today’s festivities in Moratuwa.
Q: What was the reason for Germany to enter into such cooperation?
A: Fifty years ago, German Tech was the first big German development aid project. Since then, many have followed. Just think of the two dams financed by Germany in the Mahaweli Development scheme in Randenigala and Rantambe or a seven million Dollar grant for developing the Colombo Harbour as early as 1961! Overall, German State development aid to Sri Lanka amounts to more than Dollar 1.5 billion.
Q: What is the role of the German Tech in Sri Lanka?
A: I think that for Sri Lanka German Tech had a double benefit: It introduced state-of-the-art technology to its economy and had provided the country with a significant number of well-trained specialists.
Q: What would role Germany play at this Engineering and Technical exhibition?
A: Different German institutions will exhibit at the fair starting today in Moratuwa. The German Embassy will inform about German companies such as Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen or Porsche as well as the possibilities of studying in Germany. GTZ will provide information about its long history of development work in and for Sri Lanka.
Q: How do you view Germany as a competitor in the Western technological and engineering market?
A: German companies remain leading providers for high-end technology and engineering.
German products might not always be the cheapest, but as everybody knows: at the end of the day, quality pays.
Q: What are your future plans to assist this institute and other sectors in Sri Lanka to be a partner in Sri Lanka’s massive effort to become a developed nation?
A: Cooperation between Germany and German Tech will continue. It has evolved into a real partnership we all can be proud of.
Beyond that, German development aid today is very much focused on helping Sri Lanka overcome the consequences of nearly 30 years of armed conflict.
The war has been won, but building peace is a long and very demanding task. All citizens of this beautiful island need to feel that this country is their country and that State institutions serve all of them indiscriminately. My country stands ready to help Sri Lanka in this challenging and historic task.
DAILYNEWS.LK
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Nippon Maru World Youth Ship Program 2010 organised by the Japanese government will be held from January 23 to April 10...!!!
Lankans to represent world youth ship program
Wehelle PIYATHILAKA-Maharagama special corr.
The Sri Lankan contingent selected for the Nipon Maru World Youth Ship program with officers of the NYSC. (Third from left seated) NYSC Chairman and Director General Bhaswara Senanka Gunaratne, Deputy Director Chandanie Gunathilake, and Assistant Director Ukwattage. Picture by Wehelle Piyathilaka, Maharagama special correspondent.
The Nippon Maru World Youth Ship Program 2010 organised by the Japanese government will be held from January 23 to April 10.
Eleven youth from youth clubs affiliated to the National Youth Services council have been selected to represent Sri Lanka.
One hundred and forty youths will take part in the journey from 22 countries.
The ship will begin sailing will start on January 23 from Yokohama Port. It will sail through Singapore, Dubai, Chennai and back to Japan through Singapore.
The journey will end on April 10, 2010.
The Sri Lanka contingent is as follows.
Thusara D.D. Dahanayaka, (National leader) M.L. Mohamud, Ramusul (Kalmunai) K.M. Nilusha, Madushani (Ipalogama) N. Thawara, Jathumaran (Colombo) W.M. Nipuna, Tharuka (Matara) Thilini Mathunda, Liyanagamage (Belehuloya) Baggya Senaratne (Moratuwa) D.M. Pathirage (Weeraketiya) S.M. Mahendra, (Nugegoda) and L.H. Welgamage (Amparai)
dailynews.lk
Wehelle PIYATHILAKA-Maharagama special corr.
The Sri Lankan contingent selected for the Nipon Maru World Youth Ship program with officers of the NYSC. (Third from left seated) NYSC Chairman and Director General Bhaswara Senanka Gunaratne, Deputy Director Chandanie Gunathilake, and Assistant Director Ukwattage. Picture by Wehelle Piyathilaka, Maharagama special correspondent.
The Nippon Maru World Youth Ship Program 2010 organised by the Japanese government will be held from January 23 to April 10.
Eleven youth from youth clubs affiliated to the National Youth Services council have been selected to represent Sri Lanka.
One hundred and forty youths will take part in the journey from 22 countries.
The ship will begin sailing will start on January 23 from Yokohama Port. It will sail through Singapore, Dubai, Chennai and back to Japan through Singapore.
The journey will end on April 10, 2010.
The Sri Lanka contingent is as follows.
Thusara D.D. Dahanayaka, (National leader) M.L. Mohamud, Ramusul (Kalmunai) K.M. Nilusha, Madushani (Ipalogama) N. Thawara, Jathumaran (Colombo) W.M. Nipuna, Tharuka (Matara) Thilini Mathunda, Liyanagamage (Belehuloya) Baggya Senaratne (Moratuwa) D.M. Pathirage (Weeraketiya) S.M. Mahendra, (Nugegoda) and L.H. Welgamage (Amparai)
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