45 Years of Sociology : Reflections on Teaching, Learning, Research and Policy Interventions
The Department of Sociology of the University of Colombo celebrated 46 years of the Department’s Growth on the 26th of January at the Department of Sociology Auditorium. This event titled 46 Years of Sociology – A Reflection on Teaching Learning Research and Policy interventions was organized by the Department of Sociology with the hope of highlighting the importance of the discipline of Sociology for contemporary social, economic and political engagement and active citizenship.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Senior Professor Lakshman Dissanayaka and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. Athula Ranasinghe, and other distinguished guests graced this occasion. Dr. Chandani Liyanage, Head of the Department of Sociology delivered the welcome address. The Keynote address for the event was delivered by Professor Kalinga Tudor Silva, Senior Professor of Sociology at University of Peradeniya. Professor Kalinga Tudor Silva talked on Gale Bandara Cult and Buddhist Islamic religious syncretism in Sri Lanka.
The programmes held on the first day included awareness creation on the Department and its activities within the university and beyond, a celebration of the work of the past and current Sociology staff of University of Colombo, presentations and performances by the current students of the Sociology Department, and a presentation by Ms. Samitha Sugathimala, the current President of Sociology Alumni Association of the University of Colombo and also a Workshop on ‘Higher Education and Disabilities: Challenges and Opportunities’ conducted by Dr. Loren O’Connor, Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Office of Accessible Education and Counseling Services at Brandman University, USA and Mr. Alex Price, the Disability Services Coordinator for The Office of Accessible Education and Counseling Services at Brandman University, organized by the Centre of Excellence in Disability Research, Education and Practice (CEDREP) of the Department of Sociology, University of Colombo.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Farzana Haniffa, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Sociology and convener of the event. The first day of the event came to an end as a memorable success, creating a rare chance for past and current staff and students of the Department of Sociology and friends of the department to catch up and reminisce about old times and to discuss about the future prospects of current and future students of the department. On the second day of this event, 28th of January 2016, the Department of Sociology conducted an information session for first year students in the morning and in the afternoon session seven short films of Agenda 14 Short Film Festival in partnership with Youth Create were screened in Sinhala and Tamil, followed by a lively discussion with several film makers at the Department of Sociology Auditorium.
