Open Day of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon to be held on October 08, 2023, at the Adamantane House
Having played a significant role in advancing and developing scientific fields such as smart and renewable materials, sustainable technology, alternate energy, agriculture and food science, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical technology, nanotechnology, nuclear technology, and several others that are the “hot topics” of the scientific world, chemistry is a core science that studies matter, its interactions, and through scientific methods, manipulates and tailors it to suit the needs of the 21st century. It is a science that leads to many career opportunities in different sectors, and gives rise to further opportunities with the advancement of science. It is, therefore, vital to mold students into competitive candidates in academia and the industry by offering a strong, chemistry- based learning platform and educational framework, thus paving the way for our scientists to become valuable pioneers.
The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, incorporated by the Act of Parliament No.15 of 1972, is a government-approved charity and professional body for the general advancement of Chemical Science and the practice of Chemistry in Sri Lanka. It is the successor to the Chemical Society of Ceylon, founded in 1941. Both the Chemical Society and Institute of Chemistry Ceylon are among the oldest scientific bodies in Sri Lanka. Under Section 25A of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978, the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon is recognised as a Degree Awarding Institute to develop Higher Education. An annually elected council is responsible for the governance of the Institute. There is no dividend allocation, and the monetary gain is invested in the development of the Institute to popularise Chemistry in Sri Lanka. The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon has made great strides in the field of education, particularly in tertiary education and in creating awareness of the importance of Chemistry in daily life and the development of the industry.
Shedding new light on the quality of education offered, the Institute is offering both the Graduateship in Chemistry Programme (GIC) and Bachelor of Science Honors (BSc Hons) degree in Chemical Science beginning with the 2021 enrollment. The BSc Hons degree in Chemical Science is a four-year full-time program designed as per the Sri Lanka Quality Framework (SLQF) Level 6
to provide a comprehensive education in Chemistry to all our undergraduates. This degree programme serves to improve the economy of the country, and provide a means of sustainable development through manufacturing and value addition and on a global scale, to contribute to the invaluable archives of global research in chemical science.
In addition to the BSc Hons, the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon will also continue to offer the GIC. The Institute has been acclaimed for the GIC, a four-year professional qualification for nearly fifty years. It was formally accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the UK, in 2012 and was the first course in South Asia and second in the Asian region to receive RSC accreditation. In 1986, the GIC programme of CCS was accepted by the Government of Sri Lanka as an alternative qualification to a Degree in Science, with Chemistry as a subject, awarded by a recognised University (public administration circular No. 334 of 17 July 1986), for the purpose of employment. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially stated at the 472nd meeting held on 1996.06.14, that “the Graduateship Qualification awarded by the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon can be considered as having satisfied the basic requirements of registration for a Postgraduate programme in Chemistry of a University leading to Diploma/Degree”.
In both programmes, students will be offered fundamental and intermediate courses related to organic, physical, inorganic, analytical, and biochemistry in the first two years and are allowed to select from a wide range of industry-based optional courses in the years that follow. Students can also opt to follow research-oriented subjects that constitute advanced theoretical concepts in Chemistry as well.
The BSc Hons programme includes a subsidiary management component. We consider chemical science and management as a unique combination that will support students to develop into competent individuals in the competitive job market. The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon is the only education fraternity offering this subject combination in South Asia. We are focused on producing Chemists equipped with sharp managerial skills and having a strong background in Chemistry. The multitude of industry-oriented courses offered makes the GIC program a professional qualification. Students are given hands-on experience in practical components during the first three years of the degree. In addition to coursework, senior students following either the BSc Hons or GIC, are allowed to choose from a research project or an internship based on their GPA.
All course components at the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon are taught by senior academics and professionals with specialised knowledge in the subject areas offered, serving as visiting lecturers and fulltime internal academics. The institute is a trove of both knowledge and expertise. Consisting of a large pool of scholars and experts placed at esteemed state and non-state universities and industries in the country, our students are primed to benefit immensely from their academic experience at the institute.
We strongly believe in supporting our students by rendering the necessary financial assistance, in the form of financial aid scholarships for underprivileged students, merit-based scholarships and bursaries, and sports scholarships in the hopes of providing an opportunity for our students to become a part of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon. Thus, by doing so, we strive to build a solid foundation and reinforce the academic growth of our undergraduates with exposure to research methods and techniques, developing their critical thinking skills and proficiency in the chemical sciences.
The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon is a gateway of opportunity for all daring and avid young scientists out there. If you have what it takes to realise your passion for becoming a scientist, please join us on Sunday, October 08, 2023, at 10.00 a.m. for our open day at the Institute premises. You will have the privilege of listening to an esteemed panel of lecturers, Alumni, and undergraduates of the Institute about the programmes we offer, student life experiences, and prospective career paths.
Our office is open every day from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm for further information and obtaining application forms. Your queries can also be directed via phone call to 0112861653/011-2861231 at the same times. Address: Adamantane House, 341/22, Kotte Rd., Rajagiriya. (Near Department of Official Languages)
Dr.