Colombo:  Want an international degree in Environmental Sciences? Good News! The NSBM Green University, South Asia’s first green university was declared open by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (October 26).

The NSBM Green University, equipped with modern facilities has been built as a university town at a 26 acre land in Homagama, Pitipana. The completely green facility will enabling 30,000 students to carry out their higher education activities.

Unveiling the plaque to open the university President Maithripala Sirisena said this would mark the beginning of a new path in education in Sri Lanka.

Mr Sirisena emphasized the importance of developing the student skills towards innovations as research and new innovations are essential for building the skilled human resource capital for a developed economy.

President Sirisena said that the government is determined to open all doors required for building a knowledgeable society.

This is the first and only such university to be built not only in Sri Lanka but also in the South Asian region. A sum of more than 10 billion Sri Lanka  rupees was spent for the construction which commenced in year 2012.

The NSBM Green University comprises modern auditoriums, computer laboratories, physical training centres, indoor stadiums, sports grounds, swimming pools, student based centres, a theatre equipped with all facilities and an open air theatre. Among the specialties of the university town concept is that it is also equipped with a super market, a housing complex dedicated for students and lecturers as well as a bank complex. The massive library which houses digital facilities will be a new experience for the library sector of the country.

The computer and engineering faculties will be opened for students in the inaugural academic year. Plans are underway to introduce courses that are prepared according to the international syllabuses and have a higher demand.

Sri Lankan Minister of Posts, Mohammed Halim presented the commemorative stamp issued on this occasion to the President. Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe presented a souvenir of the Green University model to the President.

Sr Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Ministers Mahinda Samarasinghe and Mohamed Halim, diplomats and academics were present at this occasion.

  development, education, Green University, South Asia, Sri Lanka