Dean’s message
It is with great pleasure that I write this message, having accepted the challenge to lead the Faculty of Medical Sciences which trains the art of healing with compassion to some of the best and brightest students of our country. Responding to global trends, the Government of Sri Lanka is embarking on an ambitious new policy which will enhance the opportunities of medical education to local and foreign students. As one of the countries premier medical schools, the faculty is embarking on this challenge on a positive note to train our students with innovative educational methods, promoting staff research culture by linking with internationally recognized research institutes and encouraging the development of fine skills and leadership qualities to face the national and global competition.
With globalization and advancements in social networking, expectations, needs and aspirations of patients, doctors, students and the society at large has changed. In keeping with global changes in medical education, in 2009, we revised our curriculum from traditional to an integrated system-based approach to provide more opportunities for lateral thinking, independent learning and small group teaching in addition to formal lectures and bedside teaching. The new curriculum and the training programme also lays more emphasis on communication skills, attitudes and ethics, expecting to train more holistic patient-centered doctors. Our Faculty is unique being the only Medical Faculty in Sri Lanka named as 'Faculty of Medical Sciences' offering, in addition to the Medical degree, four other degree programmes; Human Biology, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology and Pharmacy.
Since its inception in 1993, the Faculty has progressed to one of the most sought after Faculties in the country. Our alumni have performed exceptionally well at the postgraduate examinations obtaining high ranking positions. The National Quality Assurance Committee appointed by the University Grants Commission in 2011 has awarded our University the status of excellence.
The Faculty is situated in the suburbs of the city of Colombo in 50 acres of land in a scenic environment amongst the other faculties of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Colombo South Teaching Hospital where all the university clinical departments are located provides an excellent clinical environment for the training of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Students at the early stage of clinical training also visit the Sri Jayewardenepura Teaching Hospital. The Faculty provides opportunities for foreign students to do their electives extending from 2 weeks to 3 months in clinical disciplines, community and family medicine and basic sciences. It is a popular choice for 'student electives' from Western countries such as UK, Australia and New Zealand. The research carried out by staff is internationally acclaimed and the Faculty promotes collaborative research with foreign universities which give opportunities for foreign and local scholars to share and collaborate in research of national and international significance.
While the academic programme lays the foundation to career paths, the faculty encourages and supports the teaching of fine skills and encourages diverse activities such as sports, drama, music, nature clubs and photography. I myself am proud to be part of a Faculty where it has become a tradition for the students of the first year to conduct a social services project to provide a class room for a school in a rural part of the island with meager facilities, replacing the "Freshers Welcome" celebrated in other Faculties. The uniqueness of the project is that the entire project, from the raising of funds to the very construction itself is done by students which can be seen as an excellent way to inculcate the empathy much required for the training of an all-around doctor. The annual talents show where students and staff actively participate has now become a popular event attracting large crowds. . It is heartening to observe the excellent performance of our students winning several key awards at the University Arts Festival in 2011. The latest addition to our already diverse sporting opportunities is that largest swimming pool in Sri Lanka that was opened in our University by his Excellency the President in 2011.
Welcome to the faculty of medical sciences. We will try our best to exceed your expectations.
Professor Mohan De Silva
MBBS; MS; FRCS(Edin); FCSSL, Professor of Surgery
