University of Ruhuna enters into MoU with Youngstown State University Ohio USA

YSU Provost Dr. Brien Smith signs the MoU with Ruhuna watched by (from left): Associate Provost International Initiatives Dr. Nate Myers, Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Mike Sherman, STEM College Dean Dr. Wim Steelant, Priyanthi and Dissa and College of Graduate Studies Dean Dr. Sal Sanders

• Agreement enables transfer of MSc candidates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based areas after completion of 9 credits at Ruhuna, to complete the balance and to graduate with an MSc from YSU

University of Ruhuna (UoR) recently entered into an MoU with Youngstown State University (YSU) Ohio USA to collaborate in many areas related to higher education including graduate transfer scheme for higher studies, faculty exchanges, research collaborations and development of curricula for new degree programs with credit transfer schemes commencing from January 2023.

It will commence with transfer of MSc candidates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based areas after completion of 9 credits at Ruhuna, to complete the balance and to graduate with a MSc from YSU thereby becoming eligible to work for three years on Optional Practical Training (OPT) at American industries (both government and private) registered with YSU.

As per current rates, a candidate with an MSc in STEM field stands to earn a minimum of $ 40,000 in the first year, 60,000 in the second and 70,000 in the final year. Also at current rates, it may cost only around $ 12,000 per year for an international (single) student to live in the state of Ohio. Further, upon arrival, every international graduate student would be permitted to work part-time outside the campus on Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for maximum 20 hours per week during semesters and 40 hours during extended holidays and the current minimum wages per hour is $ 18.

As per norm any US employer satisfied with an employee on OPT may choose to sponsor him or her for permanent employment under H1-B visa category.

Associate Provost Global Initiatives heading the International Admissions at YSU Dr. Nathan Myers feels this is the best way a US university could help young SL academics in the current context. “YSU has one of the most affordable tuition fees across the Nation and living costs at Youngstown are one of the lowest in Ohio. I agree that the recent economic meltdown in SL has pushed the parity rates through the roof and that’s why we have invited the NDB Bank of Sri Lanka to arrange for easily accessible student loans so that candidates from average middle class families wouldn’t be left behind. I think the best any country could do to SL is to arm its youth with a globally marketable education coupled with hands-on work experience and send them back to their tropical heaven to rebuild in double quick time,” Nate Myers added.

“The Sri Lankan students we have had in the past at YSU on average are brilliant academics, totally committed and focused, hard working, respectful, cheerful and industrious. All they needed was a level playing field and they took off like rockets. They have an insatiable hunger for success and here in the US, they find the perfect environment for infinite growth,” he added.

University of Ruhuna Vice Chancellor Professor Sujeewa Amarasena is considered to be a very progressive, proactive and far-sighted administrator and is well-known for his candid and fearless stands. “From day one I have realised how much Ruhuna can benefit from the proposed collaboration. Our focal point right now is the MSc in STEM areas where Ruhuna transferees would stand to be awarded two degrees-ours and theirs. Then they would spend three years gaining hands-on working experience at world recognised industries earning serious money. At the end they could all enter one of the 1,500 universities granting PhDs. Sri Lanka would stand to gain so much with so many returning PhDs with priceless experiences who could enrich our university system beyond anything we have experienced,” Vice Chancellor Sujeewa explained.

“To Ruhuna this would be only the stepping stone. I am already discussing with Nate and his colleagues of many other possibilities which could result in Ruhuna becoming the foremost public university for any Lankan seeking to become a global professional in the shortest and the clearest way. Let’s first take a look at YSU’s MSc program. This isn’t the first time Lankan academics have gone overseas for grad education. But those invariably were either the first classes or second uppers. Here, the minimum GPA score is 2.7 thereby including hundreds more, if not thousands. Well, someone could argue that still those with their own funds have always proceeded. True, but what about those without? This is why we started negotiating with NDB Bank from the very beginning because none of us believe in exclusivity – we can’t leave anyone behind just because his or her parents happen to be labourers,” Sujeewa added.

“What other areas of collaboration are we exploring? We are discussing our faculty teaching short term courses at YSU, visiting on J-1 visas. We are discussing the future of our graduates who have completed general degrees of 3Y duration. Shouldn’t they too be able to enter YSU as transfer students, earn a 4Y bachelor’s degree, work for 3Y and return to any university in US (even perhaps Harvard, Yale or MIT) to earn a Master’s, work again for three more years, save considerable amount of money and return to SL to start their own business? Then what about YSU students arriving at Ruhuna on Summer Abroad programs to attend credit earning classes and paying us with much needed dollars?” the Vice Chancellor inquired.

Within just a few weeks the relationship between Ruhuna and Youngstown has blossomed. The YSU is excitedly planning for its first visit to Ruhuna with a large delegation of academics to meet with their counterparts and with all the students keen on learning about this collaboration. Ruhuna wants to show the visitors how serious it is to forge closer links with YSU. Ruhuna plans to take them for a walk in Sinharaja, show them Blue Whales only a mile or two out into the sea and drive them for about 3H to show elephants, leopards, bears and a whole lot more in a day’s visit. “I wouldn’t be surprised if some of our visitors decide to extend their visit,” Sujeewa said.

“Just a few weeks ago Ambassador Julie Chang visited Ruhuna where I intimated to her about the impending collaboration. She was thrilled and said that timing couldn’t have been better. I agreed. It was in 1893 Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala returning from World’s Congress of Religions held in Chicago, declared that there’s no other education anywhere in the world to match US college education-especially the liberal arts education- which is superior to every other education system. This is very true even today as the US holds its unassailable position among the best universities in the world by any evaluation. So we plan to team up with the best in the world and follow the example of India who provided all the encouragement for its young academics to learn from the best universities a few decades back and now handsomely reap its benefits,” the Vice Chancellor observed. And he firmly believes that this collaboration would bring the people of both countries closer than ever before.

This initiative was facilitated by ‘Scholarships for USA’ run by Priyanthi and Dissa who since 2001 have placed over 300 academics in the US. Running a boutique operation from a home-office their passionate mission is to make US higher education affordable and accessible to average middle class families of SL. To them collaborations between US and SL universities is a vital part of its foundation and this happens to be the 15th such collaboration initiated by them. Commenting on Scholarships for USA Dr. Nate Myers added that he has known Priyanthi and Dissa for over 15 years.

“The students they have introduced to me were nothing short of brilliant. Priyanthi and Dissa are very different from typical overseas commission agents. Their passionate involvement has impressed all of us at YSU. They are the only overseas recruiters that I know of, who personally visit each new university before placing a student to check on its quality, safety and suitability for their students. As they see themselves as Parents for every student who consults them, it’s hardly surprising to observe how these students, after decades of their success in US and Sri Lanka, still recall their guidance with deep gratitude and love. We at YSU feel truly fortunate to have Priyanthi and Dissa as our representatives-our eyes and ears in Sri Lanka,” Nate added.

The collaboration between UoR and YSU will remain an arrangement between two public universities in US and Sri Lanka where both institutions will work directly with each other. 

University of Ruhuna VC Sujeewa Amarasena signing the MoU flanked by DVC Prof. Saman Chandana and CINTA Director Prof. Terney Pradeep

The senior leadership who attended the function: HOD Economics Dr. Sraath Katukurunda, Dean Fisheries and Marine Sciences Prof. Asoka Deepananda, Dean Technology Dr. Harshdeva Gunawardena, Dean Allied Health Prof. Imendra Kotapola, DVC Prof. Saman Chandana, VC Sujeewa Amarasena, CINTA Director Prof. Terney Pradeep, Registrar P.S. Kalugama, HOD Computer Science Prof. W.A. Indika, HOD Medical Laboratory Sciences J. Sandamali, CINTA Assistant Registrar Imasha Dihani and HOD Nursing Bimba Wickramarachchi

Priyanthi and Dissa with President James Tressel