By F.F Mushfika

Most popularly called as the “Garden University”, the University of Peradeniya stands to be placed among the universities that are ranked from 501-600, by the latest release of “World University Rankings, 2023.” This is a public university which recommends quality education and initiates part time jobs for the students for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka. The university is recognized for its beauty and culture and is widespread famous for its unique natural beauty. The university also identifies itself as the “fist unitary Arts and Research university of the nation.”

In fact, back to the golden past days, University of Peradeniya was established in the name of “University of Ceylon”, in its early 1942. Along the run, it was inaugurated by the late Queen Elizabeth II and by Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip in 1952. This university was started under the Parliament Act no 16 of 1978-as a campus funded by the University Grants Commission which is commonly referred as UGC. Today the university is providing its free education to its nine faculties respectively, which includes 73 departments. In fact, apart from its internal degree programs the university also hosts several external degrees as well. There are also four postgraduate institutes that gladly offer degrees in respect to masters and doctoral degrees.

In addition to that, the University of Peradeniya attracts the eyes of any random person who is passing by. The location of the campus is located in the most adventurous space of Central Hills, Kandy. We have the most favorite spot for the hikers which is the Hanthana Mountain Range which consists of seven peaks closer by the campus. Most of the students organize field trips as badge mates to see the scenic and breathtaking views on top as the mountain remains bordering to the premises of the university.

Moreover, we also have the Botanical Garden of Peradeniya, neighboring the campus which contains of 4000 species of plants. Many tourists visit the locality inspired by the fame of its uniqueness. For these reasons, the campus is frequently visited by foreigners as well. It further is reputed as the Mahaweli river crosses the Akbar bridge within the campus, which is another reputed space for its eye-catching sunrises and sunsets.

University of Peradeniya also serves as a student facilitator for those who are willing to pursue their career in teaching when in their undergraduate positions. Even before the government announced its part time job offer to the students, the departments recruited students who have academic excellence to perform as a tutor inside the university of Peradeniya. These mentors serve as a temporary staff for shorter period on contractual basis. The English and the Psychology departments most prominently referred students to assist junior students in catering to their field and language needs. This was one of the most appreciative initiatives of the University.

However, according to the survey of 2020 of “Times Higher Education World University Rankings”, it was placed as 401-500 band in global ranking. Besides it has remained as the first university of Sri Lanka in academic excellence and performance, until the present. More so, it is crucially important to mention that Peradeniya campus is the only Sri Lankan university that was graded as 1426^th under University Ranking of Academic Performance (URAP) in 2010.

On the flip, the university has been highly criticized for the subculture of ragging within the premises. Regardless of many negative outbursts the university also proudly presents the anti-rag campaign which actively involve students to create awareness of ragging. These students frequently engage in vocalizing against the sub-culture and breaking stereotypical behaviors over the past reminding that the rights of students and the right to be free from torture. There has also been an incredible power of words shared in the social media addressing the impacts of ragging and its brutal mentality. This has ensured public awareness and public speaking in the aspect of Education being a right and not a privilege after all. This counter-argument has brought many individuals who ponder the education in terms of the university sub-culture into profound analysis. Thus, it serves the ultimate motto of the campus which states “Knowledge is the Eye unto All” which is a translation of the Sanskrit version “Sarvasva Locanam Sasthram”.

Furthermore, the known public research university, of Peradeniya can be applauded for its unique nature and practices of education. It caters students in the field of re-learning of all that they have learned so far and enhances critical thinking. The law and ethics which is a subject to every student in their preliminary stage focuses many vital interests. Furthermore, students are proudly graduating to serve the nation in the honor of the campus today.

I, on the other hand with the countless graduates who keep graduating on this prestigious university, believe that University of Peradeniya is more than its natural beauty. No wonder, it has become the leading university of Sri Lanka. However, it also has a long way to go; in order to reach the world. I believe, it certainly will change for best to be ranked even better in the world ranking, in future.

In short, university of Peradeniya is a mandatory place of visit and certainly the best place to be admitted for the higher education in Sri Lanka.