Garden University of Peradeniya – 75 years of excellence: Tribute to Sir Ivor Jennings' vision
“…..I have made a small contribution. History will say it was small indeed, but at least my name will appear among the thousands of benefactors listed in the Calendar of the year 2950,” Sir William Ivor Jennings, the first Vice Chancellor of the University of Ceylon ( later named the University of Peradeniya) writes in his autobiography “The Road to Peradeniya”.
Using Jennings’ words as the prelude, decades later, two scholars who are products of the University of Peradeniya have compiled a coffee table book, reviving its glorious past.
“Garden University of Peradeniya” by S. A. C. Mohamed Zuhyle, former Ambassador to Kuwait and R.M.K. Ratnayake, secretary to many ministries was launched on November 19 at the University Grants Commission auditorium, Colombo.
The book is a tribute to Sir Ivor Jennings’ vision. “We want the future generation to remember his legacy and his great service in the Sri Lankan educa- tional arena,” said Mr. Zuhyle.
Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella was the Chief Guest and Vi c e Chancellor, University of Peradeniya Prof. Upul B. Dissanayake, President, Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya Sarath Seneviratne and Chairman, University Grants Commission Prof. Mohan de Silva were among the distinguished guests.
“I was mesmerised by the book and it’s indeed a fitting tribute to the 75 year-old institution and its forefathers. When seeing the pictures of the book one would realize why the University of Peradeniya is considered to be the 10th most beautiful university in the world,” said Sarath Seneviratne.
Proceeds from the sale of the book would go to the ‘Sir Ivor Jennings Endowment Fund’ managed by the Alumni Association which is dedicated to helping undergrads, empowering them to become eminent scholars.
“When we started this venture, we spent hours and hours on the road, in the university, searching for old photographs, visiting the faculties and buildings, but we never felt tired,” Mr. Zuhyle says. “Some of the photographs in the book are extremely rare which we located through much effort,” he adds.
“Garden University of Peradeniya” was also released at the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the University of Peradeniya, completing 75 years of excellence since the establishment of the University of Ceylon in 1942. “After 75 years the University remains young even though we get old,” quipped Prof. Dissanayake.
Prof. Mohan de Silva, drawing parallels between the University of Peradeniya and the University of Cambridge in England, said both are located well away from the country’s capital, both have rivers flowing through and most importantly produced generations of free thinkers and philosophers - the great legacy of the Peradeniya campus as the local hub for Sri Lankan erudite.
“This is indeed the ideal book especially for those who are from Kandy. It would remind the scholars of the University of their glorious past as students,” Minister Kiriella stated “Garden University of Peradeniya” is a Neptune publication and is available at Vijitha Yapa Bookshop Outlets and Crescat, Colombo, priced at Rs. 3000.