Lack of funds threatens Trinco campus survival

[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 March 2004, 15:55 GMT]
Trincomalee campus of the East University has been struggling for survival without funds from the University Grants Commission (UGC) since its inception to develop its infrastructure facilities to meet the demands of students, said Campus Rector Rev. Fr.C.P.Rajendram.

Trincomalee University Campus Rector Rev.Fr C.P.rajendram

About 250 acres of land allocated to establish a full-fledged campus with residential facilities remain unused at Konesapuri in Nilaveli, a village about 10 km off north of east port town for want of funds, according to the Rector.

“Trincomalee campus has a unique status in the country as English language being the medium of instruction," said Rev. Fr. C.P.Rajendram addressing an event Saturday held in the campus conference hall. The first batch of youths who underwent Certificate Course in English language and Office Management and Diploma Course in Office Management as external students were awarded with certificates during the event.

GTZ Education Unit Project Director Mr.C.Nadarajamoorthy hands over certificate to a student Co-ordinator of External Programme. Mr. V.J.Naveenraj is seen in middle

Leading educationist and the Project Director of German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) sponsored Education Project Mr.C.Nadarajamoorthy was the chief guest.

Fr.C.P.Rajendram said although land has been allocated and the UGC has agreed to allocate about 20 million rupees to begin preliminary work on the land, no money has been received till now.

“It is a pity to note that several non-government organizations funded by international aid agencies are not prepared to assist the development of the Trincomalee campus. I approached one such organization recently. They said tertiary education development has not been included in their agenda,” lamented Fr.Rajendram.

Rector Fr.Rajendram hands over certificate to a student. Dean of Faculty of Communication and Business Studies Mr.T.Pirapaharan (in middle)

Fr Rajendram said, “We conduct training courses for teaching personnel who are involved in the development of primary education. The NGOs should take this into consideration when allocating funds for education development."

The campus is currently located in an old building along Dockyard Road in Trincomalee.

Rev.Fr. Rajendram said, more students have registered with the campus to follow several courses but the administration has been forced to limit the intake of students as the campus has no hostel and other infrastructure facilities to accommodate them.

Fr.Rajendram assumed duties as the Second Rector of the Trincomalee Campus in the latter part of January this year. Earlier he was the Dean of the Faculty of Communications and Business Studies. Born in Eachchilampathu, a village in down south of Trincomalee, he completed his MA degree in Mass Media, Film and Television Production in Loyola Marymount University in United States of America. He completed his PhD in Communication in Ohio State University in Columbus in USA.



Trincomalee campus l building



Before joining the East University as a visiting lecturer for Communication in 1997 he for sometimes was in charge of the Communication Centre in the Bishop’s House in Batticaloa. Later he became the Dean of Faculty of Communication and Business Studies in the Trincomalee campus of the East University. From January this year he has been functioning as the Rector of the Trincomalee campus.

This institution was originally established as Trincomalee Affiliated University College (AUC) in April 1993 under Ordinance No: 01 of 1993 under the Universities Act No: 16 of 1978, Section 24 A. In April `966, under the restructuring programme of the AUCs, the University Grant Commission (UGC) vested the Trincomalee AUC with the East University, Sri Lanka (EUSL).

The Trincomalee Campus of the East University was established with effect from 15th June 2001 by gazette notification dated 6th June 2001.



Trincomalee campus building in Trincomalee town