Inaugural Curriculum Development committee Meeting (11th & 12th of November, 2022)

National Languages Equality Advancement Project (NLEAP) is a bilateral project between governments of Canada and Sri Lanka funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). NLEAP provides Technical Assistance (TA) to its following four partnering universities in collaboration with the University Grants Commission (UGC). They are universities of Jaffna, Kelaniya, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka and Eastern University of Sri Lanka.

 

As a part of NLEAP’s continued support to ensure proper implementation of the Official Languages Policy (OLP) in Sri Lanka, each of the four universities now execute a four-year BA (Hon) Translation degree program which was formulated by a Curriculum Development Committee (CDC) formed consisting of academics from four partnering university to formulate a common curriculum for the respective universities.

 

Based on the success of the previous initiative of formulation of common curriculum on BA (Hon) Translation within the four partnering universities, NLEAP with the view of implementation of a Diploma in Interpretation, formed a Curriculum Development Committee (CDC) under the auspices of University Grants Commission (UGC). 

 

A group of selected academics from the four partnering universities participated in a Technical Exchange Mission (TEM) to Canada in October 2022 to share their experience with Canadian counterparts from the University of Ottawa and from Glendon school of Interpretation of York University and expanded their knowledge through observing leading practices in the teaching of Translation Programs and provided opportunities for observing leading practices in the teaching of Interpretation Programs, including Conference Interpreting. The academics also participated in formal workshops on the design and development of a standard curriculum for a Diploma in Interpretation.   

 

Immediately after the TEM, CDC convened its inaugural Curriculum Development Committee (CDC) at the university of Jaffna and engaged in the formulation of a one-year Diploma in Interpretation with the TA from NLEAP. 

The program was facilitated by Niyas Raskin, Language Policy and Teaching Specialist and Enoka Loganathan, Project Officer in collaboration with the Department of Translation of the University of Jaffna headed by Dr. K. Kannathas. Project Director, NLEAP Michael Emblem and Deputy Director M. Thirunavukarasu participated. NLEAP’s Language Policy Expert Prof. N. Selvakkumaran participated as the main resource person with Saama Rajakaruna, Gender Equality Specialist, NLEAP. 

 

Prof. Manoj Ariyaratne and Ms. Maduka Hansani, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka; Ms. Kumudu Gamage, University of Kelaniya; Senior Lecturer Saminathan Wimal and S. Sheliyna, University of Jaffna; Prof J. Kennedy and Dr. K. Shrikarunaakaran, Eastern University of Sri Lanka participated on behalf of the partnering universities at the CDC.