CUFSAA Newsletter - Vol. 01 - No. 05
December 23, 2016
Happy Holidays to all of you!
Hope you all had a great 2016 and on behalf of CUFSAA-NA, I wish all of you a very Happy and Wonderful 2017!
As we informed you at the inaugural get-together and the inaugural meeting of the Association, and via our newsletters and emails, CUFSAA-NA has taken a number of initiatives to help the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo.
Most of them are listed in our Website “www.cufsaa.com.”
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Under the initiative taken by CUFSAA-NA, a number of alumni who visited Sri Lanka in the recent past were so magnanimous as to carry textbooks with them and donate to the science faculty libraries. In addition, we have collected a large number of textbooks donated by our alumni and we plan to ship them to Sri Lanka in the near future. If you have any textbooks that you would like to donate to the faculty, please ship them to:
Dr. Saliya de Silva
393 Valley Road
River Edge, NJ 07661
Arrangements are being made to ship them to Sri Lanka by mid-January 2017.
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If you plan to visit Sri Lanka in the near future and like to present your research and scientific work to an enthusiastic audience at the Science Faculty of Colombo University, please let us know. We will arrange it for you. Contact us via info@cufsaa.org or inform a member of the Executive Committee.
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CUFSAA-NA has created a mentor list of our alumni who live in different localities in North America to help UoC graduates arriving in North America for graduate studies to settle down in their new environment. If you are willing to help out the next generation of UoC alumni arriving in North America, please send your name, location, and contact information to us at info@cufsaa.org or contact Dr. Kirthi Premadasa directly at “kirthipp@yahoo.com” to become a North American Mentor to a new University of Colombo Graduate.
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We have established a general fund to meet the urgent needs of students, faculty and staff of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo in emergency situations. This is done in coordination with the Dean of the Science Faculty. We helped a number of science faculty students who were affected by recent floods/landslides in Sri Lanka under this program.
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At the request of the Faculty of Science, CUFSAA-NA has undertaken three special projects for funding.
A. To install AC and sound systems for the three lecture theaters in the renovated chemistry building (expanded CLT, PLT and new lecture theater by converting the upstairs lab).
I am sure most of you have had the opportunity of listening to lectures delivered by our beloved teachers in the old Chemistry Lecture Theatre (CLT) and the Physics Lecture Theatre (CLT). Time has taken a toll on this elegant and iconic building and it is now in a very dilapidated condition, not fit for occupation. Fortunately, funds have been received to renovate this building and restore it to its original glory. In addition to the CLT and the PLT, an additional lecture theatre is to be made by converting the chemistry laboratory overlooking the Botany Department to a new lecture theatre. The faculty has requested our help to install AC and sound systems for these three lecture theatres. The approximate estimated cost of this project is Rs. 1.5 – 2 millions.
B. To install a drinking water system in the faculty.
The faculty is soliciting our support to install a new drinking water system consisting of four water coolers for use by students. At an approximate cost of Rs. 81,549.08 per water cooler, the estimated total cost of this project is Rs. 326,196.32.
C. To purchase of a Telescope for the faculty
CUFSAA-NA plans to purchase a telescope for the faculty to be used for research and public outreach programs. Details are being worked out and will be announced shortly.
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We have established a general fund to be used for Science Faculty related projects, including the above mentioned projects, as the need arises.
As proud products of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, it is our turn to help our Alma Mater, which molded us into successful citizens we are today. We hope you will contribute generously so that our Alma Mater can continue to produce scientists of the highest caliber as it has done since its inception.
Wish best wishes for the New Year,
Sincerely,
L. M. V. Tillekeratne
President, CUFSAA-NA
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