Are there any memorable experiences
that you would like to share with us,
you had during higher studies? Were
there any difficulties you faced during
higher studies?
In the UK, I had to experience a completely
different culture. We had a multicultural set
up within the research group; my supervisor
Dr.Bushra Al-Duri was an Iraqi who had
moved to the UK. We had research students in
the department from the UK, China, Ghana,
Malaysia, India, Brazil and a few other countries.
There was a sizable Sri Lankan community in
Birmingham, so almost every weekend we had
parties, get-togethers, excursions, etc. Despite
all this fun, I used to work in the laboratory for
approximately 14 hours a day.
My postgraduate life in UK was full of fun and
memorable events.
At the end of the Ph.D. studies, I received several
invitations to stay in the UK, but it was my
ambition to come back and serve my mother
nation.
When did you join the faculty staff?
I joined the faculty in 1998 as a Probationary
Lecturer. Since 2005, I have been serving as a
Senior Lecturer.
Since I excelled in
Why?
undergraduate
studies, my friends
sought my support
to clarify difficult engineering concepts. That
might have flared up a desire in me to be a
teacher. I was always interested in disseminating
the knowledge I gained among others.
So naturally, a university career may have
been the best place for me to continue that.
Also the push I got from my parents, helped
me to set my mind and move into the
university.
What were the factors that motivated
you, along the journey you have taken
so far?
Desire to do new things. Usually, I devote my
time and energy to complete the undertaken
tasks. I love to take up responsibilities. The
trick for my success could be the way I handle
complicated tasks; perform small segments at
a time.
I always try to enjoy the present moment.
Can you explain your experience as a
lecturer at the faculty? You were appointed
as the head of the Department
of Chemical and Process Engineering.
Tell us about the experience as the
Head of Department.
As a university teacher, I will be very happy,
if students are actively engaged in the teaching-learning
process. Unfortunately, something
is terribly wrong in our education system.
Students are trained to be rote learners.
Their main objective is to pass examinations,
but not to gather knowledge and skills to practice
as useful designers or engineers. Our students
need to improve language and other
softs skills required by present day industries.
As the Head of the department, we have taken
steps to change the existing teaching-learning
system. We have already established an outcome
based curriculum and we are moving
away from teacher centered education to a
student centered education system. Our degree
programme has been accredited in 2016
by Washington Accord. In 2019, we revised our
curriculum. Many positive changes are online
and we hope the future will be far better than
the present.
“
We require the full corporation
from individual students, and also
from student unions to ensure a
better future for all
undergraduates.
”
Page 32
University of Peradeniya GAUGE Magazine