News & Events-IRU

The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) hosted a DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Information Session on July 4th, 2024, featuring guest speakers Ms. Nimaya Manudewa and Dr. Chamila Dias. Over 50 students enthusiastically participated. The session provided valuable insights into studying in Germany, discussing various universities and research institutions, scholarship opportunities, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines. It also provided practical tips on securing funding for academic studies and research. The event attracted students and faculty members eager to explore international educational opportunities and foster collaborations with Germany.

The OUSL received Mr. Eugenio Delfino, the Project Advisor at Erasmus+: Higher Education – International Capacity Building (Asia), at the European Commission.

CBHE Coordinator for Sri Lanka on July 4, 2024. He spoke of the opportunities in the Erasmus+ programme for higher educational institutes like OUSL to embark on international collaborations, exchange programmes, and capacity-building initiatives. Mr. Delfino also emphasized the importance of leveraging Erasmus+ funding to enhance the quality and competitiveness of higher education in Sri Lanka. The International Relations Unit jointly organized the event with the EUSL-ENERGY project team.

Foreign students in the OUSL enjoy excursions at Diyasaru Uyana, a wetland next to the Parliament of Sri Lanka. IRU facilitated the participation of students from China in exploring the biodiversity and natural beauty of the wetland. This expert-guided excursion was organised by the Zoonet of the OUSL on June 29, 2024.

The OUSL delegation, which consists of Dr. Prasad Senadheera, Director of the International Relations Unit (IRU), and Dr. Sunil S. De Silva, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), visited several educational institutes in Sichuan Province, China, from June 17th to 22nd. The visit provided valuable insights into the Chinese education system, particularly at the high school and college levels. The trip offered numerous opportunities for networking with educators and professionals in China, paving the way for potential collaboration in the field of education. Reflecting on their time in Sichuan Province, the OUSL delegates recognized the prospects for collaboration and the benefit of understanding how Chinese development is progressing while maintaining traditional roots. Their firsthand observations of China’s cultural values and approach to modernization have deepened their appreciation and understanding of this dynamic society. Overall, the visit to Sichuan Province has opened up new avenues for collaboration and exchange, paving the way for a more interconnected and mutually beneficial relationship between OUSL and educational institutions in China.

The Chinese reports about this visit can be viewed here:

https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1802827265129827076&wfr=spider&for=pc

The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) held the inauguration ceremony of the Chinese Language Course offered jointly with the Shanghai Open University (SOU), China. The students and special guests including the Vice-chancellor of the OUSL and the representatives from the Shanghai Open University of China and the Bank of China in Colombo graced the event, which was held on June 19th, 2024 at the New Health Science Auditorium in the OUSL. The course aims to provide students with comprehensive language skills at HSK levels and an understanding of Chinese culture. The SOU has deployed a residential facilitator at the OUSL for this course, which is offered at the Colombo and Kandy regional centres.

IRU
19, June 2024

The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) had the honor of hosting a distinguished delegation from the University of Essex on June 6th, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Senior Professor P.M.C. Thilakarathne, Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Sri Lanka, presided over this event at the institution. Professor Maria Fasil, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Essex, Ms. Vanessa Potter, Global Vice President of the University of Essex, and Mr. Sandeep Sharma, Director of the Indian Subcontinent, represented the University of Essex, UK. The delegation also included Ms. Thanuja Raveendren, Recruitment and Partnership Advisor Sri Lanka & Mauritius of the University of Essex and Mr. Mohammad Sami, Country Advisor of the University of Essex.

The discussions centered around several key topics, including scholarships, reinforcing the existing academic links at both the undergraduate, master’s, and research levels. These topics are significant to both institutions, providing valuable insights and opportunities for future collaborations.

IRU
06, June 2024

The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) is pleased to welcome a batch of Chinese postgraduate students. These students joined the Master of Nursing Programme at OUSL, marking a significant step in the universities commitment to expanding international outreach.

The event was held on May 22nd, 2024 at the New Health Science Auditorium in the OUSL. The presence of these students from China not only enhances the diversity of the university but also enriches the learning experience. The students were greeted with a traditional Sri Lankan welcome ceremony. Senior Prof. P. M. C. Thilakarathne, the Vice-Chancellor expressed his pleasure, about the collaboration with China, emphasizing the importance of broadened cooperation in the other fields. The Master of Nursing Programme is known for its impactful approach to upgrading nursing education, and the addition of Chinese students is sure to bring new perspectives and ideas to the classroom.

IRU
22, May 2024

The OUSL attains to the partnership with Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology(RMIT), Australia to articulate two Degree programmes in the fields of Engineering andHealth Sciences. This is based on the mapping of OUSL Bachelor’s degreeprogrammes in the fields of Medical Laboratory Science (Hons) and Civil Engineering.

The RMIT delegation visited OUSL headed by Mr. Chaminda Ranasinghe, ChiefExperience Officer and Prof. Sujeeva Setunge Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor,Research and Innovation, STEM College visited OUSL on 28/11/2023. Acomprehensive discussion was conducted between the senior management committeeof the OUSL and visiting delegation on the future collaborations. The visiting delegationhanded over the Credit Agreement for the civil engineering degree program to the ProfP M C Thilakarathne, the Vice-chancellor of the OUSL at the occasion. The mapping ofprogrammes has already been accomplished. This articulation arrangements will pavethe way for OUSL undergrads to transfer to the RMIT degree prgrammes at the endlevel 4.

IRU
22.12.2023

OUSL has extended a warm welcome to eight postgraduate research students from University College Leuven-Limburg (UCLL), Belgium in 2023 marking the commencement of a six-month long research tenure in Sri Lanka from November 2023. This is the 7th batch arrived in from UCLL since 2016.

These VRS will be engaged in research /internship activities for a period of six months starting from November 2023. OUSL has assigned OUSL academics as their local supervisors. These students located in the workstations throughout the country.

We wish them all the best and a productive stay in Sri Lanka!

IRU
21.12.2023

The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) Inter-University Staff Exchange Fellowship Programme 2023. With this initiative, OUSL offered two short-term fellowships to staff members from China and Pakistan in 2023 for a period of one month. The fellowship receivers were Prof. Sun Chuanyuan from Shanghai Open University, China, and Assistant Professor Munazza Jabeen from Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan. Read more…

IRU
21.12.2023

A special educational loan scheme for OUSL students of up to Rs 10 million with a grace period of up to 2 years and at a reduced interest rate, was launched through the Commercial Bank of Sri Lanka PLC. This loan scheme was developed with the aim of supporting OUSL students studying locally as undergraduates or postgraduates, as well as for those who obtained placements or internships at foreign institutes in partnership with OUSL, such as University of Essex, Travel to Farm (Denmark), etc. (https://www.combank.lk/rewards-promotion/product-promotions/special-education-loan-package-from-combank). Read more…

The OUSL further strengthened its partnership with the University of Essex, UK by expanding the existing Progression Link Agreement to the field of Management Studies. With this attainment, OUSL students who follow the Bachelor of Management Studies Honours, and Bachelor of Management Studies Honours Degrees in Accounting and Finance, Human Resource Management, or Marketing Management, will be considered for admission to 17 MSc programmes at Essex Business School (EBS). Students who successfully complete their 2-year Diploma (Higher Diploma) in Management Studies, Accounting and Finance, Human Resource Management and Marketing Management will have the opportunity to enter the 2nd year of the 3-year BSc degree programs at EBS. Read more…

The first batch of students in OUSL selected for Travel to Farm Internship programme in Denmark, signed the bond agreements at the Open University of Sri Lanka on October 13,2023 in presence of the Vice Chancellor and Registrar.

The IRU and Staff Development Centre (SDC) of the OUSL together with the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) joined hands to organize an exclusive 2-day workshop on “Diplomatic Skills Programme for Academics” which was held on the 6th & 7th June at BIDTI. Programme objectives were that academics develop their capacity to deal with foreign counterparts in a manner productive for the personal and institutional development. They become more conversant of international protocols relevant to their field and become outstanding performers in international events.

Read more…

On 11^th May 2023, Dr. Nick Aldred, Director of Recruitment in School of Life Sciences and Senior Lecturer in Marine Biology at the University of Essex, UK visited the OUSL accompanied by Ms. Thanuja Raveendren, Recruitment and Development Officer – Sri Lanka, University of Essex.

During his visit, Dr. Nick Aldred met with the Vice-Chancellor Prof. P. M. C. Thilakarathne for a cordial discussion. The Director of the IRU, Dr. Prasad Senadheera warmly welcomed him on behalf of the OUSL and gave a brief overview of our university. Read more

OUSL is proud to announce its achievement in linking the BSc degree programmes with the University of Essex in the UK. This signing of this agreement took place on the 22^nd of February 2023 in the presence of Prof. P. M. C. Thilakarathne, the Vice-Chancellor of the OUSL, Ms. Vindya Jayasena, the Registrar, Mr. Orlando Edwards, Country Director – British Council and other invitees

The signing of the Progression Agreement by the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar

The Director of International Relations – Dr. Prasad Senadheera, welcomed the audience where he gave a brief introduction to the passage of partnership build-up between OUSL and University of Essex. Read more