Peradeniya Uni Senate approves four year duration for AHS degrees

May 23, 2014, 9:19 pm, The Island

By Dasun Edirisinghe

Senate of the Peradeniya University had approved the four year duration of the Allied Health Sciences degree course at its latest meeting held on Wednesday (21), Peradeniya AHS Faculty Dean Dr. D. B. M. Wickremeratne said.

He said that the university’s supreme body Senate had recognised it and approved the making of syllabi accordingly for four years.

AHS Faculty was started in 2007 in the Peradeniya University and since then six other universities in the country have commenced AHS courses, but they do not have separate AHS faculties. At present Universities of Kelaniya, Sri Jayewardenepura, Ruhuna, Jaffna, Eastern, and South Eastern are the other seats of higher learning where AHS degree courses are taught.

Dr. Wickremeratne said that the Senate’s decision would be forwarded to the University Grant Commission’s approval.

At present, AHS students are conducting Sathyagrahas at five locations demanding the restoration of four year degree course. The Sathyagrahas at the Galaha junction, opposite Galle Bus Stand, opposite Fort Railway Station, opposite Sri Jayewardenepura University have passed 151, 143, 57 and 15 days respectively. A token stathyagraha is conducted opposite the UGC every day.

Convener of the Inter University Students’ Federation Najith Indika said that the decision of the Senate of the Peradeniya University was a victory for their struggle.

"We are pushing the Senates of other Universities, too, to approve four year duration for AHS degrees," Indika said.