Forging ahead in polymer education in Sri Lanka amidst local and global challenges

Despite the unprecedented and uncharted adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which started in early 2020, PRISL has prudently and courageously mapped and proceeded successfully in fulfilling its prime objective of being the respected and trusted knowledge partner in the rubber and plastics industry in Sri Lanka. 

The regular academic programs, namely the certificate, diploma, higher diploma, and graduate courses, were consistently continued using virtual facilities and for the first time, examinations and student evaluations were successfully completed. History was created when the first graduation ceremony of the institute was held at the BMICH in April. The curricula of the educational programs were restructured to enable personnel in A/L Science or NVQ 4, in a polymer-related stream, to commence from the diploma and end up with a graduate qualification in 4 years, i.e., diploma at the end of the first year, higher diploma at the end of the second year, and graduateship at the end of the fourth year.

Those who are unable to continue all four years at a stretch can exit at the end of the diploma (first year) or at the end of the higher diploma (second year), and recommence the course from the next stage from where they have left. Those who complete the higher diploma will also receive the NVQ Level 5 certification.

PRISL is calling for applications from those who aspire to follow the diploma, higher diploma and the graduateship courses in 2021, to enhance their career prospects in the polymer industry

The entry qualifications for the respective courses are as follows.

• Diploma in polymer technology: a ‘pass’ in GCE A/L in the science or technology stream; or NVQ Level 4 certificate in relevant field with a six-month bridging program if relevant (or certificate in plastics/dry rubber, latex technology, with a six-month bridging program).
• Higher diploma in polymer technology: a ‘pass’ in PRISL Polymer Technology diploma; or undergraduate science, engineering, or technology streams in a related field.
• Graduateship in polymer technology (Year 1): pass in Polymer Technology higher diploma; or completion of 60 AC (academic credits as per SLQF Norm) in science, engineering, or technology streams in a related field. (No provision to exist at the end of the third year.)
• Graduateship in polymer technology (Year 2, final year): must have completed the first year of the Polymer Technology graduateship; or completed 90 AC (academic credits as per SLQF Norm) in science, engineering, or technology streams, with a minimum of 30 polymer-related AC.

 Course content

The course content is as follows.

•  Core modules: Plastics Technology, Latex Technology, and Dry Rubber Technology: Materials, Processes, Products.
•  Supporting modules: Polymer Chemistry, Polymer Physics, Engineering Mathematics, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Product Designing, Testing, Process Control Techniques, Integrated Management Systems (Quality, Environment, Safety, Energy, HR, Waste Management), and Costing.
•  Visits to Factories and Laboratories.
•  Research Project and Publish Project Report: content of delivery varies in depth and breadth in relation to the level of the course.
•  Teaching Method: physical lectures at the PRISL, online lectures, or simultaneous online and physical lectures, depending on the health regulations in force during that period and the company policy of releasing the students.

Please submit the applications via http://www.prisrilanka.com/index.php/education/online-application with the scanned copies of relevant certificates, (online) to [email protected] or by registered post indicating the course on the top lefthand corner, to the following address: Administration Manager, The Plastics and Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka, 341/12, Kotte Road, Rajagiriya.

For more information, call Admin manager 0776129468