An overview of engineering education in Sri Lanka

Abstract

[Abstract]: The historical development of formal engineering education in Sri Lanka has gained additional strength with the inauguration of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Ruhuna. This is the third conventional Engineering Faculty in Sri Lanka after those at the University of Peradeniya and the University of Moratuwa. This paper describes the Ruhuna’s developments, degree programs, student admission, field selection, work load and degree requirements. This Faculty’s reputation during the last decade has been reflected by students’ achievements in several ways, including their employability all over the world. In 2004, all three degrees offered by this new Faculty have received accreditation. This study shows that despite all these achievements and a growing reputation within a decade from its establishment, the Ruhuna is still challenged by the two other engineering Faculties to prove its status to attract and admit a reasonable proportion of all island merit students.