- A Brief History...
- Introduction to the Course
- Members of the Board of Management
- Message from the Vice Chancellor UOM
- Message from the Director
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MORATUWA
The Institute of Technology was established on 10th March 2000 by the Honourable Minister of Education and Higher Education primarily to conduct NDT and other similar level courses at the University of Moratuwa. But the history of the NDT programme dates back to the period of Ceylon Technical College Maradana established in 1893.The origin of the NDT programme had been at Maradana Technical College, as the Junior Technical Offices (JTO) course. The J.T.O course was later transferred to the Institute of Practical Technology (IPT) at Katubedda, when this institute was formed in 1960, with aid from the Government of Canada on a fifty acre block of land over-looking the Bolgoda Lake.
The primary aim of the IPT was to provide full time courses for architects, junior technical officers, surveyors & levellers and draughtsmen. This Institute also offered part time courses in engineering studies for those employed in the government and private sectors, and also prepared students for foreign professional examinations of the Institution of Engineers, UK and the Royal Institute of British Architects. The courses in architecture however, were later transferred to the University of Ceylon, Colombo when it established its own Department of Architecture.
The Institute of Practical Technology witnessed its first change of status, six years after its inception. The Government of Ceylon found that an effective system of specialized education and training capable of supplying the country with the necessary scientific and technical personnel was a prerequisite to achieve and sustain rapid development. It therefore appointed a ‘Commission of Inquiry on Technical Education in 1961. As engineering education at a higher level was provided exclusively by the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, this Commission in its report of 1963, recommended the enhancement of facilities to professional engineering education. It was therefore decided to establish the Ceylon College of Technology at Katubedda, utilising the resources of the Institute of Practical Technology. Assistance for this project was provided by the United Nations Development Programme through UNESCO. The Ceylon College of Technology was thus begun with its new courses on a professional level in 1966. The Institute of Practical Technology continued in the same premises with its full-time courses, but was amalgamated with the Ceylon College of Technology. The year 1967 witnessed the introduction of the NDT programme that succeeded the JTO courses of study. The engineering degree and technician programme of the Ceylon College of Technology were designed to have an industrial bias with the inclusion of a compulsory period of in-plant training so that the College would produce an engineer or technician with practical training as an integral part of his study. Within the next six years of its existence, the Ceylon College of Technology earned University status.
Under the provisions of the University Act No 01 of 1972, the University of Ceylon was established on the 15th of February 1972, incorporating all the existing universities and the Ceylon College of Technology as campuses of a single university. The Ceylon College of Technology thus became the Katubedda Campus of the University of Ceylon. The Department of Architecture from the then University of Ceylon, Colombo campus and the Technical Teacher and Instructor Training Institute at Ratmalana established with aid from the International Labour Organization were transferred to this newly formed Katubedda campus. It began with just one faculty, that of Engineering and Architecture. The first President of the Campus was Dr. L. H. Sumanadasa who steered the progress of the Institution from its inception as Principal of the Institute of Practical Technology, and then as the Director, Ceylon College of Technology. Later he was appointed as the Vice – Chancellor of the University of Ceylon.
When Ceylon subsequently became a Republic in 1972, the corporate name of the single university was changed to University of Sri Lanka. In the meantime, the departments of study at the Katubadde Campus were expanded and new courses of study at technician, undergraduate and post graduate levels were introduced. The School of Applied Science was established in 1974. The Sub- department of Rubber Technology now titled Polymer Technology was established in 1976. The Department of Town and Country Planning and the Sub–departments of Textile Technology and Marine Engineering were established later.
Further changes in the corporate structure and composition were effected by the Universities Act No.16 of 1978. Under the provisions of section 139(1) of this Act, the Katubedda Campus of the University of Sri Lanka acquired the status of an independent University with its present corporate name ‘University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, with three faculties of study viz, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Architecture and Town & Country Planning and the Faculty of Physical and Applied Science. Later the Faculty of Physical and Applied Science was amalgamated with the Faculty of Engineering. In August 1983, the Technical Teacher unit was transferred to the Ministry of Higher Education to function as an independent institution within its own premises.
- PAST DIRECTORS – INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MORATUWA
Prof. (Mrs.) I. J. Dayawansa (Acting)
Jul. 2000 – Nov. 2000
Dip. Ing. N. L. Wanigathunga
Nov. 2000 – Jul. 2001
Dr. T. A. Piyasiri
Aug. 2001 – Dec. 2003
Dr. M. A. R. V. Fernando (Acting)
Jan. 2004 – May 2004
Prof. D. C. H. Senarath (Acting)
Apr. 2004 – Sep. 2004
Prof. K. K. C. K. Perera
Sep. 2004 – Sep. 2007
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INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
We are pleased to admit you to the course leading to the National Diploma in Technology, of the Institute of Technology, University of Moratuwa (ITUM).
The primary aim of the course is to produce middle- level technical personnel required by the industry of our country in various disciplines. We conduct the NDT programme in nine disciplines with a total intake of 350.The breakdown is as follows:
Chemical Engineering Technology - 25
Civil Engineering Technology - 80
Electrical Engineering Technology - 40
Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering Technology - 40
Marine Engineering Technology - 15
Mechanical Engineering Technology - 60
Nautical Studies - 15
Polymer Technology - 25
Textile and Clothing Technology - 50
for Armed Forces & University non academic staff - 05
A fully fledged diplomate is initially expected to function as the link between the professional Engineer or Manager and the workforce at the field/shop level. This role requires a diplomate to develop professionally and improve his communication and managerial skills. He/She needs to educate himself/herself in the chosen study field of study so that he/she would be able to appreciate the innovations/designs by the professional engineer and would be able to communicate with the subordinates and make an innovation/design a reality.
Thus the course consists of a two- year academic study period and one year industrial training. The first year subjects are designed mainly to equalize, consolidate and improve the student’s knowledge in basic sciences and to introduce the specialized discipline of study to which he/she has been selected. It will also give exposure to some basic skills required in engineering practice (e.g. work shop Technology Engineering Drawing). Each discipline offers one or more field subject/s of the student’s chosen field of study. (e.g.) Civil Engineering Department offers Building Construction for the Civil Engineering stream)
English Language is a compulsory subject in the first year due to the following reasons:
- Communication plays an important role in a diplomate’s career. Therefore students are required to develop their skills in comprehension, speech and report- writing. .
- The NDT course is conducted entirely in the English medium. Since most of the students have done their studies in Sinhala or Tamil medium up to the GCE (A/L), their levels of proficiency in the English language vary widely and there is always room for improvement.
The second year subjects mainly include the application of various engineering phenomena in the selected field of study.
The third year has been allocated for obtaining the required hands-on experience in the industry. Training at the accepted industrial establishments is organized and monitored by the National Apprenticeship and Industrial training Authority (NAITA) and the Lecturer in charge of Industrial Training at the ITUM.
At the end of the three years of education and training, the successful students are awarded the National Diploma in Technology with an Ordinary, Credit or Distinction pass, as per the performance criteria approved by the University.
The new academic curriculum now in operation at the ITUM was introduced in the year 2005 for the first year students and in 2006 for the second year students. The purpose was to broaden the knowledge of students in their selected fields of study, while keeping abreast of current technological advances in the industrial world.
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MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
1. Dr.T. A. G. Gunasekara Director,
Institute of Technology,
University of Moratuwa
2. Mr. P.G. Jayasinghe Nominee of the Secretary to the Ministry of the Minister in- charge of the subject of Higher education
3. Mr. A. W. Seneviratne Nominee of the Secretary to the Ministry of the Minister in- charge of the subject of shipping
4. Dr. H.C. Ambawatte Nominee of the Chairman of the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority(NAITA)
5. Prof. U.G.A. Puswewala Dean,
Faculty of Engineering
6. Prof. P.K.S. Mahanama Dean,
Faculty of Architecture
University of Moratuwa
7. Mr. L. J. K. Hettiarachchi Council Nominee,
University of Moratuwa
8. Prof. J. R. Lucas Senate Nominee
Nominees of the University Grants Commission (UGC)
9. Mr. J. K. Lankathilake
10. Dr. A. M. N. Alagiyawanna
11. Mr. A. J. Karunaratne
Nominees of Board of Studies/ITUM
12. Mrs. M.M.P.D.Samarasekara
13. Dr. (Mrs.) W.B.M. Thoradeniya
14. Mr. K.P.M.V.K. Kariyakarawana Secretary
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MESSAGE FROM THE VICE- CHANCELLOR UOM
Vice- Chancellor
Prof. Malik Ranasinghe
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Institute of Technology, University of Moratuwa (ITUM).
Higher Education Institutes are institutions dedicated to the creative, responsible and effective application of knowledge, the testing of received knowledge and the discovery of new knowledge. The ITUM is proud of its reputation in all three of these areas through which it endeavours to assist stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and with a wide range of goals to realise their hopes for the future. Therefore, we at the University of Moratuwa feel that it is our responsibility to equip properly for a life which is rewarding in all senses of those who have chosen ITUM for their higher education.
The world of work is more competitive than ever and will continue to be one of rapid change. Hence, the aim of the ITUM is to produce technically sound, self confident, flexible and internationally recognized quality diplomates who are able to realise their true potential by studying together and thereafter working together as professionals towards the development of our country.
The National Diploma in Technology (NDT), which in my opinion is the best middle level engineering diploma programme in Sri Lanka, should be internationally recognised. Towards this, the ITUM has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the City & Guilds (UK). This MoU would not only enable the Diplomates from ITUM to obtain Advanced Diploma of the City & Guilds (UK) but also provides critical evaluation of the conduct of the NDT program. Further, the Council of the University of Moratuwa has directed the ITUM to implement quality assurance mechanisms. These actions would ensure that the future NDT Diplomate is nationally relevant and internationally recognized.
The Handbook gives a good overview of the NDT programme and the opportunities available at the ITUM. I request all of you, who are highly talented and privileged to join the ITUM, to make use of this golden opportunity to become outstanding professionals and citizens in our country.
I wish you all success.
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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Director
Dr. T. A. G. Gunasekara
Established in the year 2000,the Institute of Technology, University of Moratuwa primarily conducts the National Diploma in Technology (NDT) courses at present. The diplomates holding the NDT possess both theoretical knowledge of the subject matter sufficient to interpret and appreciate designs and skills needed in the relevant job to produce a quality assured final product. The NDT diplomates passing out of the ITUM are usually assured of employment in the category sometimes referred to as “Middle Level Technologist” at the beginning of their career, both in the public and private sector in the traditional engineering fields of Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication, Chemical and specialized fields of Polymer, Textile & Clothing, Marine and Nautical studies. With the gradual acquisition of work experience and/or additional academic achievements, the diplomates are destined to be Incorporated Engineers or at times as Chartered Engineers in their advance careers. Curriculum of the Diploma programme is also designed in a way that it is sound enough to provide a good foundation to pursue higher studies to acquire qualifications up to the engineering degree level and beyond.
This three year full time course consisting of two years of academic and one year of industrial training has been in the forefront of the Sri Lanka’s century old technical/higher education system ever since it was commenced with respect to producing diploma holders to fulfil the needs of both the local and foreign industry. Applications are called by the Institute annually, for admission of students to the NDT programme from those who have passed the GCE Advanced Level examination in the Mathematics stream. Notices of admission are published in the Government Gazette and in the news papers. A competitive nature in the admission process indicates the general popularity and acceptance of the NDT program by the young aspirants of higher education.
It is worthwhile to note that the direct stakeholders of the ITUM – the state, management, academic and non-academic staff, students and their parents and general well wishers - are teaming together all the time to respect, protect and continuously improve the standard of this esteemed institute.