The French Cultural Counsellor: Mrs. Olivia Bellemère, and the Attaché for Cooperation and Education: Mr. Thomas Bellil of the Cultural & Cooperation section at the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and Maldives visited the University of Sri Jayewardenepura on 17th of January 2023 to discuss the future academic cooperation between France and Sri Lanka.
They were welcomed by Prof.S.M.C.U.P. Subasinghe, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda, the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mrs.Irosha Chandrasekara, Senior Lecturer in French, Ms.Charitha Liyanage, Lecturer in French and Prof.Amila Jayarathne, the Director of International Affairs.
Prof.Subasinghe provided a brief introduction to the university, followed by an introductory video of the university. Prof.Heenkenda highlighted the newly upgraded Honours degree in French at the University of Sri Jayweradenpura while the two French lecturers explained the current status of French language teaching and the challenges and discussed the possible collaboration for French teacher training and staff exchange with French higher education institutes, scholarship opportunities for the students for language stays in France and the promotion of cultural events with the support of the Embassy. Mrs. Olivia Bellemère congratulated the University for the continuous academic excellence in French Language teaching which was introduced in 2002 and explained the opportunities available for the French language learners and emphasized the importance of academic cooperation between France and Sri Lanka.
This meeting was successfully organized by Ms.Thamali Vidanage from the International Affairs Unit.
