For the first time in the history of Sri Lanka, a faculty of nursing was opened at the University of Colombo, with assistance from the government of the Republic of Korea and the Inje University of Korea.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Korean delegation from the Ministry of Education and Inje University.
About 350 Sri Lankans, including the Minister of Health, Rajitha Senaratne, Vice-Chancellor, University of Colombo, Lakshman Dissanayake, Dean, Faculty of Nursing, Devaka Weerakoon and Chairman, Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital, Athula Kahandaliyanage, were present.
Addressing the ceremony, the president of Inje University, In-Joon Cha stated, “We have been providing strong support for the development of Sri Lankan nursing education capacity, based on the long clinical experience of Paik Hospital and Inje University’s know-how of healthcare education, and excellent faculty members.
In particular, we will exchange not only nursing education, but also various kinds of studies and act as a bridge to develop our two countries’ relations through education.”
Minister of Health, Rajitha Senaratne said, “I would like to thank the Government of the Republic of Korea for supporting the development of Sri Lankan nursing education capacity through this ODA project.
In particular, I appreciate the continuous enthusiasm and efforts since 2013, when the Inje University first came to Sri Lanka and started this project.
In Sri Lanka, where the number of nurses is limited, we have focused on increasing their number, but, with the help of the Korean government and the Inje University, we have improved the quality of the nursing education system.
I also became interested in the education of the nursing faculty which nurse nurses.”
Following the inauguration, from January 15 to 23, Inje University held the Faculty Development Workshop for the newly appointed at the Faculty of Nursing, Colombo University.
During President Maithripala Sirisena’s visit to Korea last November, the President expressed his gratitude to the Korean government for the strengthening of Sri Lankan nursing capacity at the Cheongwade (the Blue House).