The Mission of the Open University of Sri Lanka is to provide lifelong learning opportunities through Open, Distance and Flexible Education with a commitment to excellence in teaching and research. The full-time graduate and postgraduate degree programmes offered by the Faculty of Engineering Technology are conducted in English. They allow you the flexibility to learn at a pace comfortable to you while being employed or fulfilling social commitments.
The Bachelor of Technology Honours in Engineering [BTechHons (Eng)] degree programme is offered in the specialisations of Civil, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Electrical, Computer, Electronics and Telecommunication, and Textile and Clothing, and Agricultural and Plantation Engineering. Bachelor of Industrial Studies Honours (BISHons) study programme is offered in Agriculture, Apparel Production and Management, Fashion Design and Product Development, and Textile Manufacture, and Software Engineering. The Bachelor of Software Engineering Honours (BSEHons) Programme is conducted by the Centre for Information Technology Education Services (CITES).
Learners enrolled in the BTechHons (Eng) programme can exit with a Higher Diploma in Technology in the relevant specialization, having fulfilled the requirements for the award. The faculty offers a Diploma programme in Information Technology and an Advanced Certificate programme in Apparel Technology. Learners are allowed to take a maximum of 18 course credits as Stand Alone, disregarding their pre-requisites, without enrolling in a programme of study.
Learners entering the BTechHons (Eng) Programme requires to have at least three (3) passes in the Mathematics Stream of the GCE Advanced Level Examination, in one and the same sitting. Learners enrolling in the BISHons programme requires three (3) passes in any stream of the GCE Advanced Level Examination, obtained in one and the same sitting. Learners could enter either programmes of study by successfully completing the Advanced Certificate in Science Programme, or by producing an equivalent or a higher qualification acceptable to the University’s Senate. The faculty recognizes your prior learning and grants exemptions from courses up to a fifty per cent (50%) of course credits required for an award. These include several nationally recognised certificate and diploma level programmes.
The programmes offered by the faculty are recognised by the University Grants Commission and are designed to meet the requirements stipulated in the Sri Lanka Qualification Framework (SLQF). At present, our BTechHons (Eng) programme is being re-evaluated by the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL), for its recognition. The Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka provides a carrier path to become a Chartered Engineer, and to apply for the Associate Membership, one requires a minimum 2Cs and an S pass at the GCE Advanced Level Examination, in the Mathematics Stream, obtained in one and the same sitting.
The faculty offers a one-year master’s degree programme in Energy Management and a two-year Master of Science programme in Structural Engineering. The Open University also enrolls learners to Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
The faculty offers its programmes of study in the Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode and the academic coordination is done by competent permanent academics and visiting academics from the industry. Learners are encouraged to visit the main campus, regional and study centres to use library and computer facilities, meet members of academic staff and peers, and to attend compulsory face-to-face sessions such as laboratory classes, presentations, and field work. We also advise learners to be employed in the relevant industry during the learning period.
The faculty uses the Learning Management System (LMS) MOODLE to facilitate online access to all courses. Practicing Self Learning, learning in study groups (i.e., Collaborative Learning) and timely completion of learning activities are important to ensure success. The main mode of course delivery is through Self Instructional Course Material. The teachers provide you with feedback and necessary guidance to move forward. Learners are required to attend the Day Schools that are a few face-to-face interactive sessions held during the academic year, conducted via an online platform.
At the commencement of studies, learners are required to complete the following two courses in the Student Academic Readiness Training, i.e., StART@OUSL:
o English for General Academic Purposes (EGAP)
o Empowering for Independent Learning (EfIL)
Both these courses are planned to be offered online via LMS MOODLE with online interactive discussion sessions.
We hope that you will find learning at the Faculty of Engineering Technology enjoyable and challenging in realising your ambitions in higher education. We take this opportunity to wish you the very best in your future endeavors.
Dr H.G.P.A. Ratnaweera
Dean, Faculty of Engineering Technology
deaneng@ou.ac.lk