PGIHS launches its ‘First Research Congress’

First Research Congress of the Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (PGIHS) of the University of Peradeniya was recently held at PGIHS, University of Peradeniya. The Congress provided an opportunity for postgraduate students of the Institute and other Higher Educational Institutions here and abroad to present their research findings at an internationally recognized academic forum attended by researchers, academics and other scholars and experts, policymakers and members of industry and business sectors as well as community activists and members of advocacy groups.

The Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (PGIHS) is a national institute of higher learning affiliated to the University of Peradeniya which is mandated to provide postgraduate instruction and training, and engage in research in the fields of Humanities and the Social Sciences. The first research Congress of the PGIHS therefore is a crucial milestone in its efforts to promote postgraduate research. The technical sessions of the Congress 2017 were organized under five main thematic areas, namely, Demography, Economics and Management; Aesthetics, Culture and Heritage, and Language and Literature; Politics, Law and Governance; Society, Environment and Spatial Development; and Religion, Psychology and Philosophy covering fourteen sessions. The technical sessions were followed by a plenary session where the senior academics served as observers to make comments about the respective thematic areas and presentations. The best presenter in each thematic area was awarded a certificate of recognition.

The ceremonial opening of the research congress was graced by Prof. Upul B. Dissanayake, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya as Chief Guest. The other distinguished invitees were the Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Directors of Postgraduate Institutes, Deans of Faculties, Members of the Board of Management and the Boards of Studies of the PGIHS, and teachers of the postgraduate programme.

Prof. Ananda Jayawickrama, Director, PGIHS welcomed the participants to the inaugural ceremony and invited the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya Prof. Upul B. Dissanayake who was the Chief Guest to address the audience. Vice Chancellor in his speech thanked the PGIHS for organising a successful Congress and assured the support of the University in its future activities. Speaking after the Chief Guest, Dean of the Faculty Prof. O.G.Dayaratne-Banda congratulated the organisers of the Congress and said that the Faculty is always ready to extend its support for the PGIHS.

The Keynote Speech of the Congress 2017 was delivered by the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy. Speaking on the theme of Sri Lankan Economy: Opportunities and Challenges, Dr. Coomaraswamy spoke of both achievements and missed opportunities of the past said that the country’s economy is at a crucial juncture and the country will need to all the cooperation it can get from its people to move forward for greater good of the nation. Opening Session ended with Prof. TilakHewawasam, Chairperson of the Board of Study of Social Sciences who was Coordinator of the Congress delivering the vote of thanks.

The inauguration was followed by Technical Sessions from 11.00 AM to 6.00PM. The activities of the Congress ended with a fellowship dinner held at the PGIHS premises for distinguished invitees and guests, all authors and paper presenters, participants.

- Kusala Madhushani Premaratne