Gauge Newsletter January 2020 | Page 36

What are the achievements that you have gained? I have excelled in all my exams, received a PhD from a world class university, worked in leading chemical engineering firms and now at the best university in the country. I became the Head of the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering in 2011 and was re-elected twice. During my tenure as the HOD, we have managed to complete the construction of our new building, improve the staff strength, improve the laboratory facilities, attract students with high GPA, produce many different types of research and engineers and overcome numerous challenges. This, I consider the greatest achievement of my life. In your opinion which were the skills that helped you to achieve them? Is it essential to have good communication skills as an engineer? It is the attitude. If you undertake something, do it to your best. You may have limitations, that’s acceptable as long as you deliver the best you can. You need many skills to be successful at your workplace: never give up or cheat, always be positive, help others to overcome their problems, encourage colleagues to develop their career paths, correct your mistakes without unethically defending them and forget and forgive for mistakes of others are some of them. One place where you can go totally wrong is poor communication. Therefore, give high priority and improve communication skills. What is your opinion on the current education system in Sri Lanka (schools and universities)? How can we improve the education system? We should take immediate steps to correct our rote learning education system. We must produce innovative and creative individuals. Students should be allowed to choose their own career path according to their capacity and interest. Simultaneously, the job market should be expanded to accept people with different skills. The education system should produce men and women who can respect others no matter who you are; whether you are senior or junior, doctor or nurse, president or labourer. The education system should produce a disciplined society. Educational reforms at all stages, from kindergarten up to the university level should be brought. Page 34 University of Peradeniya GAUGE Magazine