Sri Lankan renowned educationist Prof. Dr. SJBA Jayasekera addresses UAF community

Sri Lankan renowned educationist Prof Dr SJBA Jayasekera on Thursday said that access to free education and free medical facility was the guarantee of bright future. He addressed a large gathering of students and teaching and administrative staff of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad at New Senate Hall. Faculty of Agriculture Dean/ Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Arshad presided over the session. Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics Chairman Prof Dr Abdus Salam, Registrar Muhammad Hussain and Prof Dr Rao Iftikhar also spoke on the occasion. Dr SJBA Jayasekera is serving as the Vice Chancellor of Wayamber University of Sri Lanka. He is also the alumnus of the UAF. He said that population of Sri Lanka is around 20 million people. With literacy rate of 92.5 percent, the country has one of the most literate populations. Our youth literacy rate stands at 98 percent and primary school enrolment rate is at around 100 percent. An education system which provides free schooling for every child is in place. The system also provides free text books and bags to the school students. He said that the Sri Lanka faced the severe challenges and suffered a lot because of war. He said that the now his country was growing as the result of the education friendly policies. He said that youth is the future builder. If we equip the students with the quality education, the dream of the bright future will come true. He added that employment in his country was around 98 percent. I have introduced a system of internship at Wayamber University so that students get practical trainings during their course of the studies. He said that it is challenge to the transfer the knowledge into goods and services. We have to take steps in this regard. He said that the patriotism is the key to move the country to the new height of progress. We can manage something from our available resources. If you are sincere with yourself, there would be no doubt that the nation would progress rapidly. Recalling his memories, he said that I have passed my BS degree from the UAF in 1975. He lauded the steps of the UAF for becoming the world ranked university. He said that the character building and patriotism lesson I have learned during my studies here at UAF. Prof Dr Muhammad Arshad while giving briefing about the university said that the UAF is only institution in the country which is standing among top 100 universities of the globe in any category. He said that current enrolment at the campus is 16,000 students with around 50 percent women.