Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
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Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
Thursday, 11 June 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The new Faculty of Technology of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ), was ceremoniously inaugurated on 8 June by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. This new complex is part of a large education and technology zone in Pitipana that includes the NSBM Green University, also constructed by Maga Engineering.
The Faculty of Technology offers industry-focused, practical-oriented education, preparing undergraduates for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) industries. The technology stream supports Sri Lanka’s developing and diversifying economy and the rising demand for STEM professionals.
The Faculty of Technology comprises a 600-seat capacity auditorium, administration building, lecture rooms, laboratories, conference rooms, staff areas, and common amenities. Designed by Engineering Consultants Ltd. (ECL), the building envelop maximises natural views, light, and ventilation; allowing students and teachers to experience the building, surrounding landscape, and interior as fluid spaces.
Architectural forms of the design have been inspired by nature, with the use of clay tiles of low absorptivity, and organic natural colours. Rainwater harvesting facilities reduce maintenance costs whilst providing irrigation for the property. Apart from construction of the superstructure, MAGA also undertook all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work, setting up necessary industrial machinery, equipment, and laboratory support systems.
Maga Engineering Chairman and Managing Director M.G. Kularatne congratulated the teams who worked on the project. “Maga and ECL are proud to have brought to life this exemplary complex housing Sri Lanka’s flagship Faculty of Technology, which is due to create a paradigm shift in Sri Lanka’s higher education and support the nation’s industrial drive. The project showcases our strength in delivering large-scale building projects – we were able to complete the project in March 2020, five months ahead-of-schedule.”
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura initiated the Faculty of Technology in 2016 to provide undergraduates with a host of higher education opportunities in the fields of Engineering Technology, Biosystems Technology, and Information Communication Technology (ICT). The faculty now caters to hundreds of students enrolling in the Sri Lankan University system through the new Technology stream introduced to schools in 2013.
Marking the occasion, Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, newly appointed Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC) noted, “The field of technological studies directly relevant to our industries has been a long-standing need in our country’s education system. However, there were only very few opportunities available in this line of study. The University of Sri Jayewardenepura stepped forward to cater to this growing need by establishing the Faculty of Technology.”
Maga Engineering is Sri Lanka’s largest construction company and a key partner in developing the nation’s educational infrastructure. Since inception, Maga has been involved in 27 projects in the education sector, building two national colleges of education and several universities, including South Asia’s first green university. Established in 1968, ECL is the one of the largest multi-disciplinary consulting companies in Sri Lanka behind some of the most iconic buildings and infrastructure projects.
