New undergraduate research laboratory opened for undergrads of Faculty of Applied Sciences who are studying in Department of Chemistry to enhance the research scope in undergrads of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
The opening ceremony of the new undergraduate research laboratory took place on Friday, the 16th of December, 2022, with the presence of Senior Prof. Sudantha Liyanage, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. With the inception of this project by Prof. Nilwala Kottegoda, the former Head of the Department of Chemistry, followed by the unwavering support from the Vice-Chancellor, the New Undergraduate Research Laboratory became a reality that can undoubtedly enhance the undergraduate research experience. The lab has a student capacity of 50 and is to cater to the undergraduate research students of the Department of Chemistry. The project coordinator, Dr. Chandima Narangoda, drove this project towards success with diligence.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Prof. Upul Subasinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Prof. Pradeep Jayaweera, Dean of the Faculty of Aquatic and Bioresources, Prof. Champa Jayaweera, Head of the Department of Chemistry, Mrs. Yashoba Abeysinghe, Assistant Registrar, Mrs. Uthpala Dissanayaka, Assistant Bursar, Mr. Asanka Karunaratne, Works Engineer, academic members of the Department of Chemistry, its non-academic staff, demonstrators and the students.
Some of the Alumni members of the Department of Chemistry funded and fundraised for this project with financial assistance and the Head of the Department of Chemistry guided this project towards succession. The Chemical Society of the Department of Chemistry assisted in organizing the opening ceremony of this new undergraduate research laboratory.