The Faculty of Engineering, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, is the latest addition to the Faculties of Engineering in the state Universities coming under the purview of the University Grants Commission. Established in January 2016, it consists of five Departments of Study with a mandate to offer study programmes in Engineering, and in particular an undergraduate study programme in Engineering leading to the award of the degree of the ‘Bachelor of the Science of Engineering’.
The government in its budget speeches of 2014 and 2015, made provisions to establish a Faculty of Engineering and Technology in the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. This is in-line with the national requirement for professionals to drive the country towards a knowledge-based economy. Following the government initiative, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Sampath Amaratunge appointed an Advisory Board consisting of renowned personalities to proceed with modalities in establishing the new Faculty. This Advisory Board comprised Professors, D. A. Tantrigoda, M. M. Karunanayake, A. M. Abeysekara, K. Deheragoda, and P.B. Mandawala. Emeritus Professor N. R. Arthenayake, who was a former Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Technology of the OUSL and Senior Professor of Mechanical Engineering, was appointed as the Lead Consultant to shoulder the task of establishing the Faculty of Engineering and Technology.
After extensive deliberations with regard to the differences in Technology and Engineering streams as well as the difference in the admission criteria applicable to respective study programmes together with prevailing practicalities, the Vice Chancellor proposed to establish two new Faculties, namely, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Technology. This decision was approved by the Senate and the Council of the University. Four Senior Lecturers, namely Dr. S. A. A. M. Subasinghe, Dr. C. de Alwis, Dr. M. Mohomed, and Dr. K. M. C. Konthesingha, were recruited to the proposed Faculty of Engineering to be engaged in the task of developing an Engineering Degree Programme, under the guidance of Professor Arthenayake.
A Consultative Committee in Engineering (CCE) consisting of eminent academics in Engineering Education in the country, together with the representation of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) were appointed to spearhead the development of the Engineering Degree Programme. Leading industrialists in the country were consulted to incorporate their inputs to the curriculum development process and the delivery of Degree programmes. This paved the path for the new Faculty of Engineering to build enduring relationships with the industry.
Together with the inputs from the CCE and the Industry, a proposal was formulated to be formally submitted to the University Grants Commission. The University Grants Commission approved the proposal to establish a new Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in December 2015. The new Faculty along with its Departments of Study, was gazetted by the government in January 2016.
The first four Departments are responsible for delivery of the Study Programme in four specializations in engineering as “Civil Engineering”, “Computer Engineering”, “Electrical and Electronic Engineering”, and “Mechanical Engineering”. The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies functions as a service department and is responsible for the delivery of courses in Engineering Mathematics, Management, and Humanities.
Innagural batch of students was enrolled in November 2016, which was followed by two subsequent batches in 2017 and 2018.
The Faculty of Engineering offers a study programme leading to the award of the Degree of the ‘Bachelor of the Science of Engineering’. The Faculty envisages to introduce more study programmes in the form of Post Graduate Diplomas and Degrees and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Extension Courses in the future.
The Faculty of Engineering, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, offers a 4-year Honours degree programme leading to the Bachelor of the Science of Engineering.
This programme aims to produce competent graduates who are ready to face both current and emerging challenges in engineering.
Mission of the undergraduate study programme is to;
Produce engineering graduates who have the knowledge and the aspiration to become competent engineers in a wide range of emerging engineering disciplines within the conventional engineering spheres, by offering a curriculum with flexibility to meet the current and emerging needs of the country and the profession, as acceptable to the global community.
The engineering graduates of the Faculty should be able to;
Curriculum and the framework of the programme is carefully designed conforming to Washington Accord requirements (International Standard for Engineering Education) and SLQF requirements (National Standard for Degree Programmes) under the category of Bachelor Honours Degrees.
The selection of students for the four specializations in engineering (Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering) will commence from the third semester (second year of study). The selection will be based on the individual preference and performance of the student during the first year of study.
In each specialization, ‘Elective’ courses should be selected from baskets of courses subject to fulfilling the prerequisites. However, if a student follows a Faculty approved combination of elective courses, he is entitled to claim a ‘Minor’ specialization in areas such as ‘Biomedical Engineering’, ‘Building Services Engineering’, ‘Environmental Engineering’, ‘Manufacturing Engineering’, ‘Mechatronics Engineering’ and ‘Telecommunication Engineering’. This will not only allow an engineering undergraduate to obtain the knowledge in an additional area of specialization, but also enhance the prospects of securing employment.
