Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka was established as the 14th national university by a gazette on June 1, 2005 outlining a new model avoiding traditional pitfalls in the system of higher education with an aptly Vision and a Mission. Thus, Uva Wellassa University (UWU) was established as the only entrepreneurial university in Sri Lanka guided and directed by the founder Vice Chancellor Dr. Chandra Embuldeniya. This Mission was fulfilled by the support of 25 academics pioneered in setting up of the university.
Vision
The Vision of Uva Wellassa University is, “To be a Centre of Excellence for Value Addition to National Resource Base” that those who take hands with the UWU family ought to bear in mind while engaging in their assigned responsibilities to realise its Vision.
Mission
While keeping in mind the Vision of the University, the Academicians, Administrators together with other auxiliary services must work towards achieving the well-articulated Mission of the University. That is “To produce well-rounded, employable and entrepreneurial graduates equipped with knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to make an outstanding contribution to national development while excelling in teaching, learning and research with a strong emphasis to value addition to national resource base”.
The university was started with three faculties: Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Faculty of Management and the Faculty of Science and Technology each of with two Departments offering four-degree programs to a population of 163 students.
At present, the university has been expanded to four Faculties and nine Departments of Studies offering 15 study programs to a population of 3,573 students over the past 17 years.
New Degree Program
Bachelor of Arts Honours in English Language and Applied Linguistics (BA Hons (English Language and App Ling) degree program is the newest study program to be introduced under the Department of English Language Teaching (DELT). Ever since the establishment of the DELT, it has been planning to introduce a novel demanding degree program aligned with the Vision of the university.
Based on a productive proposal submitted to the University Grants Commission (UGC), the approval was granted by the Commission held on May 20, 2022 at its 1078th meeting for the commencement of the degree of Bachelor of Arts Honours in English Language and Applied Linguistics of the Department of English Language Teaching (DELT).
Those who qualify at the G.C.E (A/L) Examination may consider applying to Bachelor of Arts Honours in English Language and Applied Linguistics degree program offered by the Department of English Language Teaching (DELT) to earn a qualification BA Hons (English Lang and App Ling) leading to Sri Lanka Qualification Frame (SLQF) Level 6.
Eligibility requirement
Applicants with at least “S” grades in any three subjects at the G.C. E. (Advanced Level) examination can apply for the program. However, for applications to be considered for admission to the BA Honours in English Language and Applied Linguistics degree program, they must possess an acceptable Z-score determined by the University Grants Commission (UGC) with satisfactory results at the Advanced Level Examination specifically excluding General English).
The applicants should also have a minimum of “C” pass for the English Language and a “C” pass for Mathematics at the G.C.E (Ordinary Level) Examination. The admission process shall be determined by the UGC “Z’ score-based selection for those who fulfill the above requirement.
Fifty students will be enrolled annually for full time BA Hons (English Language and App Ling) four-year degree program.
Objectives
The objectives of the degree program are manifold and they further lead for elaboration of the Graduate’s profile. There are;
* To provide knowledge on the disciplines of the English Language, Applied Linguistics and Translation, and to impart functional skills required for professionals responsible for empowering human capital
* To afford deeper insight into the tolls, techniques and procedures required in planning, organising and executing a good piece of work or a work of art in the English Language, Literature, Linguistics or creative writing
* To capitalise the opportunities in the field of education, communication, media, advertising, marketing, publishing, technical writing, teaching English, translations, lexicography, international relations, speech pathology, and in ICT industries
* To improve oral, written, and communicative linguistic competency enabling the graduates to work in any given industry
* To educate students in artistry and utility of the English Language and Linguistics through the study of various disciplines under the English Language and Applied Linguistics and empowering further on Essential Skills Development
* To produce well-rounded graduates who are able to find solutions to issues and problems in the above fields by means of modern technological approaches
* To produce future visionary leaders to work with responsibilities leading the country for its betterment
Upon the completion of the new degree program, the graduates shall possess in-depth knowledge in the above fields coupled with communication skills, team working skills, advanced reading and writing skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, language skills, IT skills, presentation skills, planning and executing skills, research skills, reflective skills, leadership and decision-making skills, sector specific skills and adaptation skills with healthy attitudes and mindsets.
Since the degree program is of multidisciplinary nature where it focuses on Languages skills, IT, Mathematics, Analytical and Critical thinking skills together with soft skills, graduates of this program can easily enter into the fields of Academia, Teaching, ICT and Communication Industry, Administration, Education Consultancy, Curriculum Planning, Digital Copy Writing Industry, Copy Editing, Proof Reading and Editors, Counselling, Newspaper Industry, Publishing and Editing Industry, Information Technology, Events Management Industry, Entrepreneurs, Immigration and Intelligence Industry, Human Resource Management and Development field, Lexicography, Journalism, Documentation and Supervision, Public Relations Officers, Records Management Industry, Social Media Managers, Recruitment Consultants, Researchers, Speech and Language Therapy, Training Coordinators and Managers, Web Content Management and Developers, Advertising Industry, Audiology, Speech Pathology, Translations and Interpretation Industry, Freelance Writers, International Relations and Non-government Organisations.
The writer is a Senior Lecturer of Department of English Language Teaching (DELT), Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka