Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa
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| Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa |
| Established | 1960 |
| Type | Public faculty |
| Location | Moratuwa, Sri Lanka |
Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa is the principal engineering faculty located in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, renowned for producing engineers who have contributed to Ceylon Electricity Board, Sri Lanka Railways, John Keells Holdings, Hayleys, and National Water Supply and Drainage Board. The faculty maintains national and international collaborations with institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, University of Melbourne, and Tsinghua University.
History
The faculty traces roots to the Ceylon Technical College and the University of Ceylon era, evolving alongside developments in post-independence infrastructure projects like the Mahaweli Development Project, the Colombo Port Expansion Project, and the expansion of Katunayake International Airport. Early leadership included figures associated with Sirimavo Bandaranaike administration initiatives and technical advisers linked to British Council missions, reflecting influences from Trinity College, Kandy alumni and engineers trained at University of London. Over decades the faculty responded to demands from agencies such as the Ministry of Transport and Works, the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, and donors from United Nations Development Programme.
Organization and Administration
Administrative structure comprises departments historically modelled on divisions at University of Cambridge Department of Engineering, with departments aligned to professional bodies including the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka and international accreditors such as the Washington Accord signatory universities. Governance involves a Dean appointed through the University Grants Commission (Sri Lanka) process, departmental heads, and coordination with units like the Centre for Engineering Research, the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Standards Institution. Strategic planning interfaces with national stakeholders including Ministry of Higher Education, Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau, and industry partners like Dialog Axiata.
Academic Programs
The faculty offers undergraduate and postgraduate curricula influenced by benchmarks at École Polytechnique, Delft University of Technology, University of Toronto, Seoul National University, and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Departments provide Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering pathways in areas akin to programs at Stanford University, ETH Zurich, University of California, Berkeley, and National University of Singapore. Professional accreditation is coordinated with the Royal Academy of Engineering frameworks and the Engineers Australia comparators, while doctoral research aligns with collaborations with Japan International Cooperation Agency, European Union Horizon 2020, and World Bank funded projects.
Research and Innovation
Research centers engage in projects funded by organizations such as the Asian Development Bank, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Japanese International Cooperation Agency, and corporate partners like Lanka Tiles and MAS Holdings. Key themes mirror international priorities pursued at Fraunhofer Society, CSIRO, Riken, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory including sustainable materials, structural engineering, transport systems, and water resources related to initiatives like Coastal Zone Management and Climate Change Adaptation. Innovation outputs have supported startups partnering with Ceylon Chamber of Commerce accelerators and been showcased at forums such as World Engineers Convention and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation events.
Campus and Facilities
The campus houses laboratories and workshops comparable to facilities at Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and University of Tokyo, with specialized labs for geotechnical testing, hydraulics resembling installations at National Institute of Standards and Technology, and materials characterization equipment similar to that used at Max Planck Institutes. The central library integrates collections parallel to holdings at British Library, while computing clusters support modeling software used in collaborations with Siemens and Autodesk. Student amenities interface with nearby infrastructure projects including the Colombo Port City development and transport links to Galle Road.
Student Life and Extracurriculars
Student organizations maintain traditions comparable to societies at University of Oxford and University of Cambridge, running technical clubs inspired by competitions like the International Civil Engineering Students' Association challenges, robotics teams participating in contests akin to RoboCup, and entrepreneurial groups linked to SLASSCOM and Startup Weekend. Cultural events draw alumni from institutions such as Royal College, Colombo and Ananda College, Colombo; sports teams compete in tournaments historically involving clubs such as Sinhalese Sports Club and organizations like Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union. Student chapters coordinate with professional bodies including IEEE and ASCE.
Notable Alumni and Faculty
Graduates and staff have held leadership roles at organizations such as Ministry of Irrigation, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Sri Lanka Telecom, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited, and international firms including Arup Group and Jacobs Engineering Group. Prominent individuals have been associated with national honors and awards tied to offices under figures like Chandrika Kumaratunga and collaborative projects with agencies such as UNESCO and ADB. Faculty research partnerships have included scholars formerly at University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh, Princeton University, and Columbia University.