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University of Colombo

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University of Colombo
University of Colobmo Logo
Mottoबुद्धिः शर्वत्र भ्रजते
(Buddhih Sarvatra Bhrajate (Sanskrit), "Wisdom shines forth everywhere").
Established1870/1921/1942/1967
ChancellorMost Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis
Vice-ChancellorProf. (Mrs.) S.S.M.K. Kshanika Hirimburegama
Students10,500
Undergraduates9,000
Postgraduates1,500
Location
Colombo
,
Sri Lanka
CampusMain, 50 acres (202,000 m²)
Websitewww.cmb.ac.lk

The University of Colombo (UoC), is a university based primarily in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Considered to be the oldest higher education institution in country it was founded as the University College Colombo in 1921, however it traces its roots as far back as 1870 [1].

Overview

The University of Colombo occupy over fifty acres of prime land in the heart of the city as its main campus is considered as a "metropolitan university". The administrative center of the university is the College House with its period architecture is a landmark in the city.

In keeping with its motto "Buddhih Sarvatra Bhrajate" which means "Wisdom shines forth everywhere", the University of Colombo strives to maintain academic excellence in all areas of study. The Medical and Science Faculties of the University are not only the oldest in the university system of Sri Lanka but are also arguably the best in terms of Faculty and resources.

The beautiful playground and the modern gymnasium offer sportsmen and women the opportunity to exploit and develop their abilities to the fullest. Meanwhile the the old King George's Hall and the New Arts Theatre is often the arena for many dramatic and musical events.

History

Ceylon Medical College

The origins of the University of Colombo begins with the establishment of the Ceylon Medical School in June 1870.In 1880 the School was raised to the status of College, thus becoming the Ceylon Medical College which permitted it to award the Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery (LMS) and in 1889 the College was recognized by the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom when holders of its license became eligible to practice in Great Britain.

University College Colombo

Agitation for the provision of higher education in the island and for the establishment of a University began by the mid 19th century. This agitation gathered momentum by the beginning of the 20th century and the Ceylon University Association (CUA), formed in 1906 by a group of western educated elite, urged the establishment of a local University. Owing to the persistent demands of the CUA the colonial government decided in 1913 to set up a University College.

However, arguments regarding the nature and status of the institution to be set up, its location and the out set of World War I temporally halted the establishment process until 1920 when the government purchased a private house called the Regina Walawwa which later came to be known as College House for the purpose of setting up the University College. The University College Colombo was formally declared open in January 1921 in the building that was originally the main building of Royal College Colombo located on Thurstan Road opposite College House. The University College prepared students for University of London external degrees and was regarded as only a preliminary step, the ultimate goal being the establishment of a fully fledged degree granting University.

The University of Ceylon was established on 1 July 1942 by the Ceylon University Ordinance No.20 of 1942. The University was to be located in Peradeniya and was to be unitary, residential and autonomous. With the establishment of the University, the two Colleges, the Ceylon Medical College and the Ceylon University College, lost their separate identities and were absorbed into the new Institution.

University of Ceylon Colombo, Colombo Campus

The first official announcement of the creation of a separate University in Colombo was made in Parliament in the Throne Speech of 1967. The necessary legislation for this purpose had been prepared by the Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs under section 34 of the Higher Education Act No. 20 of 1966 on the recommendation of the National Council of Higher Education. The new institution which came into existence on 1 October 1967 with the Colombo Campus as its nucleus had initially a student population of nearly 5000 reading for degrees in Arts, Law, the Sciences and Medicine and a teaching staff of nearly 300.

The University of Ceylon Act No. 1 of 1972, which replaced the Higher Education Act of 1966 altered the complexion of the hitherto familiar University structure. The four independent autonomous universities (University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, University of Ceylon, Colombo, Vidyodaya University of Ceylon and Vidyalankara University of Ceylon) which had been set up by then and the Ceylon College of Technology at Katubedda became Campuses of a single University styled the University of Sri Lanka. Its headquarters designated Senate House was located in Colombo. This arrangement did not last very long. With the promulgation of the Universities Act. No 16 of 1978, University status was again restored to the Campuses and the Colombo Campus of the University of Sri Lanka was renamed the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Faculties

Former Institutes

Notable alumni

Notable staff

Partner universities

References

  1. ^ "About University of Colombo"
  2. ^ Coup of 1962: an inside story

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