Gauge
EDITORIAL
Faculty of Engineering
University graduate: Nerd or All-rounder?
Thirteen years of childhood. Where did it go? Was it to study, study and study again? Most
children are given a target when they are small. You have to become an engineer or a doctor,
nothing less than that. Striving hard to reach this target, sometimes they may have to suppress their love to do music, art, dancing or engaging in a sport. Do they at least have time
to notice what is happening in the world around them? The most crucial time period of their
lives is the two years they get ready to face the Advanced Level Examination, the gateway to
a university degree. After two years of hard work the most fortunate who pass with the highest grades get a chance to enter into a good university.
Then, university. Students of diverse backgrounds and cultures come here. Some who have
done nothing in their lives other than their studies. They may say, “How can we achieve our
dream without sacrificing our life for it?” There may be others who have achieved their dream
while excelling in some extracurricular activities too. There may be some who have been cut
off from the society when flying towards their dream. So, in the next three or four years, what
happens?
After getting through ALs one may think that the next step is not so difficult. But the reality
comes to stage when the university undergraduate gets to know about the GPA, assignments,
examinations, presentations, viva and all the challenges they have to face before bearing
a garland on his chest. So, a fraction of the people who enter the university again begin
their usual routine of studying, studying, studying. Maybe with the fear that he will lose his
degree; maybe to shine among all others with brilliant results; anyhow he will become the
nerd he always has been.
But, not all students take this path. Some realize that this is where they can make a change.
They will make these years the golden period of their life. They will enjoy their life to the
fullest while doing their studies properly. They will engage in activities out of the curriculum
and try to do everything they love to do. Maybe what they may have missed when trying to
achieve the biggest dream of their life. They will try to move around with people and try to
understand them. University life will teach them many things. They will not be left with only
a certificate in hand at the end. They will become all-rounders.
What happens to these nerds and all-rounders who graduate? A nerd knows all about academics, equations and theories. But will he know how to deal with people? Most probably,
he will not have the practical knowledge to get some work done. In contrast, the all-rounder
will have the academic qualifications and also experience from his university life on how to
face any challenge before going out into the society.
So, what type of a person must a university produce? What type of person does the society
need? What type of person must you become? A nerd or an all-rounder?
Wasundara Jayawardana
Editor
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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Prof. Upul Dissanayake, Vice Chancellor of University of Peradeniya for his support and
encouragement.
Prof. Leelananda Rajapaksha, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and the patron of Engineering
Students’ Publication Society for his advices and support.
Dr. Manjula Sandirigama, Senior Treasurer and Staff advisor of ESPS for his commitment
and support throughout this venture.
ELTU for support given in proof reading.
All the academic and non-academic staff members of the Faculty of Engineering.
President and office bearers of the Engineering Students’ Union and all the undergraduates who supported this venture in numerous ways.
Nethwin Printers, Peradeniya for the quality work done in printing.
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