This area has historical importance.
40,000 years or so ago, when the first humans stepped onto this land from the east, they settled in and around the area to seek refuge.
Years of archaeological excavations done in the area have found many artefacts dating back to that time.
People from far-flung places like Morocco have come here as traders and later found safe heaven and a trading base around the seaport.
It is said that the famous Omani seafarer Sinbad visited the area during his epic journey to China from Sohar in the Sultanate of Oman.
However, in the present context, the area has taken some beatings not because of the year 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami but because of the political-ideological point of view.
Some feel the location is the epicentre of the country's current calm and infrastructure developments since the terrorist group's demise in May 2009.
Others, however, believe that the area has taken a Pariah status as a result of legacy-creating white elephant projects undertaken after the May 2009 victory.
There are two sides to every argument, and Hambantota is no exception.
It's an attractive development target area because it's easily accessible by road, air, and sea, and there are plenty of open spaces.
Due to this tug of war between many fractions, the area with so much potential has not taken off, and the purpose of this essay is to explore such possibilities.
Existing facilities and resources (both new and old),
1. Base Hospital,
2. International Conference Hall,
3. International Airport,
4. International Harbor,
5. Expressway link,
6. Saltern,
7. Renewable Power Projects,
a. Wind power,
b. Solar power,
8. Wildlife & Marine life.
All of those facilities and resources can be put to good use for the country's growth, provided political wrangling stops and decision-makers focus on the vast opportunities that exist in and around the area.
Development suggestion
To create a fee base university specialized in the following areas;
1. Medicine,
2. Civil and Commercial Aviation,
3. Maritime Studies,
4. Renewable Energy,
5. Wildlife and Marine life using existing resources.
The university's primary and administrative structure, with a few more annexures to serve other demands, might be transformed from the current and underutilized Conference Hall facility.
The Base Hospital can be utilized to house the School of Medicine's medical students’ practical and clinic requirements.
The Civil and Commercial Aviation School's practical on-the-job training facilities can be employed at the Mattala International Airport, the most talked about and loneliest airport facility in the world.
The port infrastructure will be used to meet the practical training needs of the proposed Maritime Studies School.
Renewable Energy Plans and Saltern can be used for Practical Training and Experiments at the Renewable Energy Studies School.
Wild elephants crossing highways is a typical sight in this area, and it is often discussed but anything is rarely done.
Human-elephant conflict is a never-ending problem with no winners, but both losers.
Teaching in the Wild Life faculty can look into this issue to find a viable and cheaper solution.
Further down a few kilometres away is the Yala National Park and it will be a treasure trove for the students and academia alike.
A few kilometres out in the sea, where the Indian Ocean meets the Arabian Sea, the area is a treasure mine for anyone interested in marine life.
Because the area is technically within Sri Lanka's maritime borders, such a natural treasure can be explored for the benefit of the students of the proposed Wildlife and Marine Life School without any difficulty.
Management of the Facility
The controlling business appoints a board of trustees with appropriate qualifications and backgrounds.
Students' Demography
Most government universities in Sri Lanka do not entertain foreign students, except a few, and that too, in very small numbers at a time.
Local and international applications should account for 70% to 30% of each intake.
The reasoning for the decision is that it will be an earning opportunity for foreign currency from international student applications, which is something the government desperately requires right now.
The other is to expose local students to diverse cultures and intellectual levels as if they were studying at an international university.
It would broaden their minds and teach them to tolerate and accept others with diverse values and cultures.
It would be a fantastic approach to eradicate the stagnant "Island Mentality" from the brains of young and educated people.
Intakes
The figures should be planned to make the best use of available resources and facilities.
Overcrowding will eventually result in a decline in teaching quality, and it should be avoided at all costs.
Composition of Teaching Staff
The teaching staff should be made up of 70% local persons with relevant qualifications and 30% from other nations.
Again, the objective is to increase the diversity and competitiveness of the teaching pool.
In the end, the broad pool of teaching staff will benefit pupils more.
Recruitments
All recruitments including non-academic carders will be on a renewable contract basis only.
Fee Base
To be on par with many of the existing schools in the area (India, Bangladesh, Malaysia etc.),
Payments
Student fees,
1. Local students pay in local currency.
2. Foreign students in an acceptable foreign currency equivalent to the quoted amounts of fees and others
Remuneration
Both local and foreign teachers will be paid in local currency, on par with other universities in the region.
Accommodation facility
Fully fledge housing/hostel facilities for both teaching and students and the rental charges will be at par with the accommodation in other parts of the region with similar facilities.
1. Uninterrupted power supply,
2. Fast internet connection,
3. Market for daily needs within the campus,
4. Recreational area,
5. Cooking & laundry facility,
Transportation
1. Within the campus,
a. Bicycles, electric vehicles to be used,
2. External transportation,
a. use of existing facilities,
Safety and Security
1. Secured parameter,
2. 24 x 7 CCTV monitoring,
3. Mobile Campus Police with required authority and equipment,
4. 911 type reporting system within the parameter and App-based system, accessible only to currently registered and verified users, for any reporting or alerts
Library facility
At least at par with any of the world-recognized universities,
Banking Facility
To wean off the monopolistic non-competitiveness, both government control and private banks are needed to be established within.
Recognition
1. University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka,
2. Any well-known foreign university.
Affiliation
With one of the best-known universities in the world,
Funding,
This will be the most difficult component of the project, but it is not impossible if the appropriate approach is taken without involving politicians.
To run it solely as a legitimate business venture.
Partly locally (Infrastructural developments) and
Receiving philanthropic funding from well-known business entities or families who want to leave a legacy in someone's name is preferable.
The foreign partnership is required to get the finest of the best products for facilities such as libraries and delicate and dedicated equipment.
Again, such individuals can be offered the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by delivering necessities for free or at a very low cost.
Arbitration
In the event of any arbitral requirements, the current local and globally recognized modes will be used.
Benefits
Immense and innumerable, in the field of education, transport, and the improvement of human life, to mention a few.
Conclusion
Many of the country's major cities are within easy reach of the facility, which is now connected to the expressway network, and all of the other external infrastructure required for the proposed university's operation are within less than 10 kilometres of the base (the present international conference facility will be considered the base).
If the necessary funds can be found both internally and externally, it should be a success story.
No comments:
Post a Comment