Uva Wellassa University (abbreviated as UWU) is a Sri Lankan

national university A national university is mainly a university created or managed by a government, but which may also at the same time operate autonomously without direct control by the state. In the United States, the term "national university" connotes the highe ...

located in the city of

Badulla Badulla (, ; ,) is the capital and the largest city of Uva Province situated in the central hills of Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of Uva Province and the Badulla District. Geography Badulla is located in the southeast of Kandy, almost enci ...

. The university was established in 2005 and is one of Sri Lanka's national universities, serving the

Uva Province The Uva Province (, , ) is one of the nine provinces of Sri Lanka. The province has an area of 8,500 km2 and a population of 1,266,463, making it the 2nd least populated province. The provincial capital is Badulla. Uva is bordered by the East ...

. It comprises six faculties, including

Animal Sciences Animal science is described as "studying the biology of animals that are under the control of humankind". It can also be described as the production and management of farm animals. Historically, the degree was called animal husbandry and the ...

and

Export Agriculture An export in international trade is a good produced in one country that is sold into another country or a service provided in one country for a national or resident of another country. The seller of such goods or the service provider is an ' ...

Applied Sciences Applied science is the application of the scientific method and scientific knowledge to attain practical goals. It includes a broad range of disciplines, such as engineering and medicine. Applied science is often contrasted with basic science, ...

Management Management (or managing) is the administration of organizations, whether businesses, nonprofit organizations, or a Government agency, government bodies through business administration, Nonprofit studies, nonprofit management, or the political s ...

, Technological Studies and

Medicine Medicine is the science and Praxis (process), practice of caring for patients, managing the Medical diagnosis, diagnosis, prognosis, Preventive medicine, prevention, therapy, treatment, Palliative care, palliation of their injury or disease, ...

History

Establishment and Development

This public university in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka was founded on 1 July 2005, to address the educational needs of the region. The campus occupies 35 acres of land, with the original plan covering 59 acres due to the challenging mountainous terrain. The Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) oversaw the design and development of the campus with cabinet approval in October 2004. The inception of UWU was the result of collaborative efforts, including an influential report by Professor H.P.M. Gunasena and a concept paper drafted by a Coordinating Committee led by Mr. Chandra Embuldeniya. The University Grants Commission (UGC) endorsed this innovative model for university establishment, and Mr. Embuldeniya was appointed Vice Chancellor in July 2005. Core facilities, including lecture halls and computer labs, were operational by December 2006, marking the completion of various blocks and the Administration Block, despite facing obstacles like legal issues and relocation delays. President Chandrika Kumaratunga formally recognized the university's establishment in 2007, and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa officially inaugurated the campus on 5 August 2009.

Achievements and Growth

UWU is the 14th National University in the Sri Lankan State University system and is known as the nation's first all-entrepreneurial institution. It started its academic journey in 2006 with 153 students in 5 programs and has since expanded. Today, UWU caters to 2908 undergraduates through 13 programs offered by 4 faculties and has a staff of 337. The university now offers postgraduate courses, external degree programs, diploma courses, and open and distance learning programs, contributing to Sri Lanka's higher education landscape.

Governance and Administration

Uva Wellassa University is a state university and depends on the government for its annual grant, which is provided by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Undergraduate education is free, and its governance is guided by the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978, the Universities (Amendment) Act No. 7 of 1985, and its own by-laws. The university's administration follows a dual structure, including the Council (formerly known as the University Court) as the governing body and the Academic Senate for academic affairs. Appointments to officers and faculty are made with recommendations from the UGC.

Officers of the university

;Chancellor The

chancellor Chancellor () is a title of various official positions in the governments of many countries. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the (lattice work screens) of a basilica (court hall), which separa ...

is the head of the university and awards all degrees, although the vice-chancellor carries out most duties. The

president of Sri Lanka The president of Sri Lanka ( ''Śrī Laṅkā Janādhipati''; ''Ilaṇkai janātipati'') is the head of state and head of government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The president is the chief executive of the union governm ...

makes the appointment to a distinguished person in academics, clergy or civil society. The chancellor is Professor Jayantha Balawardane (Professor in Oncology, Executive Director, University Hospital KDU). ;Vice-chancellor Vice-Chancellor is the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Academic Officer of the university, appointed by the His Excellency President of Sri Lanka. The Vice-Chancellor is Senior Professor Kolitha Bandara Wijesekara. Further, Vice-chancellor is the ex-officio Chairman of both the Council and the Senate of the university.

Faculties and undergraduate courses

As of 2023, the university's four faculties offer 13

undergraduate degree An undergraduate degree (also called first degree or simply degree) is a colloquial term for an academic degree earned by a person who has completed undergraduate courses. In the United States, it is usually offered at an institution of higher ed ...

programs.;

Faculty of Animal Science & Export Agriculture

* Department of Animal Science ** B.Sc. in Aquatic Resources & Technology **B.Sc. in Animal Production and Food Technology (Formerly, BAScHons - Bachelor of Animal Science Honours in Animal Science) * Department of Export Agriculture **B.Sc. in Export Agriculture **B.Sc. in Palm & Latex Technology and Value Addition **B.Sc. in Tea Technology & Value Addition

Faculty of Applied Sciences

* Department of Applied Earth Sciences **B.Sc. in Water Science & Technology **B.Sc. in Mineral Resources & Technology * Department of Computer Science & Informatics **B.Sc. in Computer Science & Technology **Bachelor of Industrial Information Technology * Department of Science & Technology **B. Tech in Science & Technology

Faculty of Management

* Department of Management Sciences ** B.BM in Entrepreneurship and Management Studies * Department of Public Administration ** B.BM in Human Resource Development * Department of Tourism Studies ** B.BM in Hospitality, Tourism & Events Management * Department of English Language Teaching ** Bachelor of Arts Honours in English Language & Applied Linguistics Degree Programme

Faculty of Technological studies

* Department of Biosystems Technology **Bachelor of Biosystems Technology (BBST) * Department of Engineering Technology **Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET) in Mechanical Engineering * Department of Information and Communication Technology **Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology (BICT)

Faculty of Medicine

*Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery **M.B.B.S.

Post graduate courses

The university currently offers one post-graduate degree program. * Postgraduate Diploma in Actuarial Science

Short term courses

The university offers more than 12 short-term courses and two certificate courses in Java Applications Development and Web Design.

Accommodations

The university offers hostel accommodations predominantly for its 1st, 3rd, and 4th-year students. In 2020, 1,755 of these students were accommodated, using both university-owned and rented facilities. The annual fees range from Rs. 3,500 for rented to Rs. 5,000 for on-campus accommodations. The university's establishment in Badulla has invigorated the local economy through rental opportunities, heightened demand for services, and job creation, underlining its role as an economic catalyst in the region.

References

External links

Uva Wellassa University official website
{{authority control Educational institutions established in 2005 Universities in Sri Lanka Buildings and structures in Uva Province Education in Uva Province 2005 establishments in Sri Lanka