University of Jaffna, Faculty of Engineering: Formation, Growth and Opportunities

K. Chelvakumar, BScEng, MS, PhD, MBA, Visiting Professor

University of Jaffna and Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar

The concept plan for an engineering faculty in Jaffna had its inception in 1979. However, the first batch of students were not admitted until 2014. Despite these setbacks the batches graduated in a timely manner and the class sizes grew from 39 in first batch (2014) to 205 in the eighth batch (2021). Additionally, buildings and laboratories were built and commissioned expeditiously to meet these needs. Five buildings now occupy 22,000 square meters (244 thousand square feet) at a cost of 1.56 billion Sri Lankan rupees (US$ 10.3 million. By 2021, laboratory equipment worth 550 million Sri Lankan rupees (US$ 3.6 million) had been acquired and installed. Most of the capital requirement was funded by the Sri Lankan (86%) and Indian (14%) governments.

Academic staffing needs were initially filled through a small core of permanent staff with professors from Peradeniya and Moratuwa teaching on a part time basis. As time went on, recent engineering graduates as well as expatriates made up the deficit. As the faculty matured, the priorities have evolved into longer term goals such as research and development, creating centers of excellence, sending more graduates abroad for higher studies and collaborating with prestigious universities around the world. 

Presence of and engineering faculty in Kilinochi has drawn manufacturing facilities to the neighborhood. Resources from abroad including India, Malaysia, Europe and the United States are contributing to various incubation facilities and other programs. These are also supplemented by funding from the Sri Lankan and other governments. Regional engineering development programs have attracted active collaboration with local government and engineering departments with a focus on sustainable development. The goal behind the incubation centers and other projects is to boost the local economy.

This faculty of engineering is a highly viable gateway for national and international joint ventures in the Northern Province as well as at a national level. Lead professionals from around the world may find opportunities to work with centers of excellence in the areas of robotics, renewable energy, battery powered vehicles etc. to name a few. Applied research work at the faculty is carried out with a focus on commercialization.

The faculty of engineering at Kilinochi provides a capable platform of facilities, infrastructure, faculty and students suitable for mutually beneficial collaboration. This paper lays out various pathways available for qualified and motivated academics, universities, laboratories and corporations.

Keywords: Jaffna Engineering Faculty, Incubation Center, Regional development