Meet up with Peradeniya University academics, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Discussion with Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Professor Prabath Ekanayake

Date: 19th May 2025Time: 12.30 PM – 2:10 PMVenue: Faculty of Arts, University of PeradeniyaSubject: Discussion objective by Mr.Muthulingam, Executive Director, ISD - Introduction of the Bionity Program by the JOBA Team

A meeting was held on the 19th of May 2025 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM with the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Professor Prabath Ekanayake, along with a team of intellectuals from the faculty. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the Bionity Program by the JOBA team and explore the possibilities of integrating it into the university system.

During the session, the JOBA team provided a comprehensive introduction to the Bionity Program, which emphasizes nature-centric life practices. Two detailed presentations were delivered by Mr. Manoharan Muthusamy and Dr. A. Magimai Pragasam, focusing on how the Bionity Program can be aligned with academic and extracurricular activities within the university setting.

In response to the presentations, Professor Ekanayake made several constructive suggestions. He noted that the Faculty of Arts comprises 19 academic departments and approximately 870 clubs, providing a fertile ground for introducing the Bionity concept. He proposed the establishment of a new club dedicated to promoting Bionity, which could also work collaboratively with existing clubs to broaden outreach and student engagement.

Furthermore, the Dean suggested that the program could initially be introduced as a compulsory non-credit course to familiarize students with its core concepts. Based on its effectiveness and reception, there is potential to promote it to a credit-bearing course in the future, ensuring deeper academic integration.

Professor Ekanayake also emphasized the importance of understanding the financial viability of the initiative. He requested further clarification on the financial aspects, including sustainability, funding requirements, and resource allocation, to assess compatibility with the faculty’s budget and institutional frameworks.

The meeting concluded with a positive note, with both parties expressing interest in continuing the dialogue to explore collaborative avenues for implementing the Bionity Program at the University of Peradeniya.