Project News

On the 29th of January 2007 we had the inauguration ceremony of two Diploma Programs in JSCoT by lighting of the traditional oil lamp.

Mr.N.R.R.K. Wijenayake, the Principal of Maradana College of Technology, welcomed all the officials and the participants. He briefly explained the historical background of the College and stated this event also marked as a historical event because in the NVQ laddering system this was the 1st occasion that we started the level 5 & 6 courses in Sri Lanka.

Then Dr. H.L. Obeyesekera, the DG of the DTET thanked JICA and JSCoT Project for the technical assistance and the financial support that they granted, to develop the new three courses up to the level of Diploma. He expressed his sincere gratitudes to this Project because of the reasons given below:

1.It showed us a new way to have the technological education and training through the diploma level courses in the NVQ laddering system.

2.It designed a five year programe, leads to the international standards and to change the present attitudes.

3.It will produce fully competent professionals in NVQ levels 5 & 6 which will meet the international demand.

Mr. Umimae, the Chief Advisor of JSCoT Project, expressed his sincere congratulations on the inaugural ceremony which marked the commencement of new two diploma level courses in ICT and Metal Work. He assured that project has prepared the best study environment in terms of equipment and facilities, academic staff as well as training contents to meet the student’s aspirations.

Further he added the DTET and JICA hope the students study, not only technical knowledge and skills but also Japanese virtues like discipline, punctuality, team working, creativity, problem solving and Kaizen, among others.

Finally he thanked DG, the Principal, staff of DTET and Maradana College for their tireless efforts, in particular Counterpart Officers and Japanese Experts for their dedication in developing the course contents. Thanks also expressed to Mr. Goto, the Assistant Resident Representative and the staff of JICA Sri Lanka Office for their generous cooperation and support which have expedited the implementation of the project.

Mr. Kumar Goonewardena, Counterpart Officer, Japan Division, made the sinhala translation of the speech of Mr. Umimae.

In closing the ceremony, vote of thanks was given by Mr. J. Ariyasinghe, HOD of new three courses of JSCoT Project.