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University of Colombo School of ComputingUniversity of Colombo School of Computing

Celebrating 25 Years in 2010Celebrating 25 Years in 2010

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The University of Colombo School

of Computing

Ruvan Weerasinghearw@ucsc.lk

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UCSC - Some HistoryUCSC - Some History

– Part of University of Colombo

– which is the heir to:

– The Colombo Medical College (1870)

– The University College (1921)

– The University of Ceylon ( 1942)

– The single University of Sri Lanka (1972)

– Successor to:

– The Department of Statistics and Computer Science (1985)

– The Institute of Computer Technology (1987)

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University of Colombo School of University of Colombo School of ComputingComputing

• DepartmentsDepartments– Information Systems Information Systems

EngineeringEngineering– Computation & intelligent Computation & intelligent

SystemsSystems– Communication & Media Communication & Media

TechnologiesTechnologies• CentresCentres

– Advanced Digital Media Advanced Digital Media TechnologyTechnology

– E-LearningE-Learning– Computing ServicesComputing Services– External ExaminationsExternal Examinations– Professional Development Professional Development

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University of Colombo School of ComputingUniversity of Colombo School of Computing

Academic ResourcesAcademic Resources

A total of 52 academic staff which include A total of 52 academic staff which include

16 Ph.D’s & 14 Masters degree holders devote 16 Ph.D’s & 14 Masters degree holders devote

their full time attention to the teaching, research their full time attention to the teaching, research

and development activities of the UCSC and development activities of the UCSC

Among them 4 are reading for their Ph.D. degree in Among them 4 are reading for their Ph.D. degree in

centres of excellence in USA, Sweden, Australiacentres of excellence in USA, Sweden, Australia

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University of Colombo School of ComputingUniversity of Colombo School of Computing

Other resources:Other resources:

• State-of-the-art equipmentState-of-the-art equipment• 10 Laboratories 10 Laboratories • Lecture rooms equipped with multi-media Lecture rooms equipped with multi-media

facilities, facilities, • AuditoriumsAuditoriums• Digital studio for video and audio Digital studio for video and audio

productionproduction• Library with books, journals & CDs in all Library with books, journals & CDs in all

aspects of ICT.aspects of ICT.

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A Well Stocked LibraryA Well Stocked Library

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Digital Media Digital Media Technology CentreTechnology Centre

e-Learning Centree-Learning Centre

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• Undergraduate Undergraduate – 2 Degrees (CS and IS)2 Degrees (CS and IS)– 3 year & 4 year exits3 year & 4 year exits

(240/yr & 360/yr for F/Sc)(240/yr & 360/yr for F/Sc)– 3 year External degree 3 year External degree

(BIT) (BIT) (unlimited ~1500/yr)(unlimited ~1500/yr)

• PostgraduatePostgraduate– Master of Computer Master of Computer

ScienceScience– Master of Information Master of Information

TechnologyTechnology

• ResearchResearch– M.Phil, Ph.DM.Phil, Ph.D

Academic ProgrammesAcademic Programmes

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The Bachelor of Information The Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) Technology (BIT)

External DegreeExternal Degree• The curriculum is developed

and examinations conducted

by the UCSC with

•Diploma

•Higher Diploma

• Degrees awarded by the

• University of Colombo

• Approx. 5000 active students

• Several hundred graduates

since 2000

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Providing Learning Support for Providing Learning Support for External Degree (BIT) StudentsExternal Degree (BIT) Students

– Decided to provide more learning support for BIT

students from 2006

– There are two categories of BIT students:

– Students attending private Institutes

– Students doing self study

– The UCSC provides learning support through e-

learning for both categories

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Main Facilities for BIT StudentsMain Facilities for BIT Students

– Detailed curriculum on the BIT Web

(www.bit.lk) and CD’s produced by UCSC

– Web pages and CD will include power point slides

with voice

– Access to a Learning Management System (LMS)

via the Internet with own username and password

– Student record keeping using LMS

– Assignments, Quizzes and group work using LMS

– Learning material developed by UCSC and others

available freely on the web

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Third Country Training ProgramsThird Country Training Programs

Four-six week courses on topics such as Four-six week courses on topics such as “Design, Installation, Administration and “Design, Installation, Administration and

Maintenance of Network systems”, Maintenance of Network systems”, “Design, Development and Deployment “Design, Development and Deployment

of e-Learning Environments” attended by of e-Learning Environments” attended by 20 participants from 8-12 countries in 20 participants from 8-12 countries in Asia, Pacific, Africa and Latin AmericaAsia, Pacific, Africa and Latin America

Supported by SIDA of Sweden and JICA Supported by SIDA of Sweden and JICA of Japanof Japan

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Third Country Third Country Training Training

ProgramsPrograms

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CONSULTANCYCONSULTANCY

– Ministry of Foreign Affairs

– Finance Ministry

– Election Commissioner

– Western Provincial Council

– Trouble shooting ICT projects

– ICTA e-Government projects

– MoHE projects with German partner

– National eLearning project for Bhutan

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TRAININGTRAINING

– School Teachers for the MoE (NCoE)

– Network Administration

– Repair and Maintenance of Computers/Networks

– Applications:

– Auto-CAD

– Office Applications

– Java (Intermediate/Advanced)

– Video Production, Animation

– Web Design and Development

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ICT FOR SOCIETYICT FOR SOCIETY

– National Election Results Processing (1982 to date)

– e-Money Order

– Sinhala and Tamil Information Infrastructure

– ICT Awareness Programmes (Radio, TV, Newspaper)

– Telecentre Support and Training

– Government Information Services

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19E-money order - A product of UCSC

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International IT ConferenceInternational IT Conference

• UCSC managed the IITC from 2001 to date

• Also plays major role in National Conference (CSSL)

• Stalls at exhibitions such as Infotel

• Major partner in upcoming e-Asia 2009

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Research @ UCSCResearch @ UCSC– Natural Language Processing/Computational Linguistics

– Information and Network Security

– Distributed and Cloud Computing

– Virtual Learning Environments

– Multimedia Databases and Geographical Information

Systems

– Multimedia and Simulation

– Computer Vision

– eBusiness Transformation

– Government Information Systems

– Intelligent systems and machine learning

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Ongoing Foreign Funded ResearchOngoing Foreign Funded Research

– Sida

– eLearning

– Wireless Adhoc Sensor Networking

– Mobile ATM

– Other

– R & D in Localization and Language Processing

– Telecentre Academy

– Digital Forensics

– Network Security

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Current RequirementsCurrent Requirements

– Improving international profile/perspective

– Collaborating with partners in research

– Conducting courses/programmes

– Giving international exposure to students

– Strengthening Theoretical Computing

– Strengthening Information Systems programme

– Improving soft skill of student and faculty

– Promoting community/social involvement

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University of Colombo School of ComputingUniversity of Colombo School of Computing35, Reid Avenue, Colombo 7.35, Reid Avenue, Colombo 7.

www.ucsc.cmb.ac.lk

Phone: +94 112 581245-8Phone: +94 112 581245-8

Fax: +94 112 587239Fax: +94 112 587239