Professor Colin N. Peiris Director PGIA
Professor Colin Peiris, the current Director of the PGIA, brings to the Institute loads of experience gained through his national and international activities in the field of Higher Education. Prof. Colin is recognized in the university academia as the driving force, as he has been working assiduously for innovation and enhancing the quality of university education. The creative and progressive role he has played in the field of Quality Assurance and accreditation under IRQUE Project funded by the World Bank has revolutionized the university education in Sri Lanka opening new avenues for the academics to engage in research and teaching.
He has been able to bring experience gained through his work as University Professor, Director/ Acting Director Quality Assurance and Accreditation (since 2004), Deputy Director/ International Block Grant Component of the IRQUE Project, Acting Policy Planning Specialist (IRQUE), Director/ Affiliated University College/ Rahangala (2007) and his International Experience as Advisory Board Member/ International Accreditation Agency/ UK, and Director Boards of two leading QA Networks in the World; International Network for QA Agencies in HE(INQAAHE) and Asia Pacific Quality Network(APQN) to the welfare of the PGIA.
Prof. Colin graduated from the University of Peradeniya in 1979 and joined the University service in 1980 and received postgraduate education in the US. He obtained his M.Sc. in 1984 and Ph. D in 1986 from the Pennsylvania State University, USA.
He has gained professional experience and knowledge by following the Diploma Course in Teaching Methods for University Teachers in 1992, at the Wolverhampton University in the UK. Prof. Colin’s Educational background and experience, which he has gained not only by teaching and working as Director and Board Member of a number of national and international bodies will bring credit and fame to the PGIA through the innovative changes and improvements he has planned for expanding the curriculum, teaching and training methods and much needed infrastructural facilities to the Institute.
Prof. Colin’s experience and skills earned by his activities as Director, QAA has made him wellknown in the university community in the island, as he has been visiting all the universities and Institutes of Higher Education since 2004, where he has rendered memorable service in enhancing the quality of teaching by developing new teaching methods, and introducing good practices such as Staff Development, Peer Observation and Student Evaluation and perhaps the most important activity, inculcating quality culture in Higher education in Sri Lanka.