80 research papers by local and foreign academics presented at ICPRD 2016

Wednesday, 30 March 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Text and pix by P.D. De Silva

80 research papers classified under 11 subthemes related to Humanities and Social Sciences, inclusive of over 25 submissions from international academics from Nepal, India, Oman, Norway, United States, Nigeria and the Czech Republic were presented at the second International Conference on Peace, Reconciliation and Development Challenges organised by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Ruhuna. ICPRD 2016 was held on 24 and 25 March at Wellamadama, Matara.

The 11 subthemes under which the research findings were presented were Economic and Development studies, Democracy and Governance, Social Harmony and Reconciliation, Gender and Development, Language and Religious studies, Disaster Management, Environmental Studies, National Heritage and Tourism, Conflict Transformation, Society and Culture, Education and Health.

The Chief Guest at the inaugural session was University of Ruhuna Vice Chancellor Senior Professor Gamini Senanayaka while the keynote address was presented by Senior Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda. The Guest of Honour was Ttibhuvan University, Nepal Vice Chancellor Professor Tirth Raj Khaniya.

Invited guests included Professor Karori Singh former Director, UGC Centre for South Asian Studies, University of Rajhasthan, Professor Chinta Mani Pikharel Dean Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Tribhuvan University, Professor Hem Raj Subedi, Tribhuvan University, Professor Bahadar Nawab Khattak, COMSTAS Institute of Information Technology, Pakistan, Professor Stig Jarle Hanses Norwegian University of Life Sciences and Professor Grace Cheng of the Hawaii Pacific University.

The credit for the success of ICPRD 2016 should be given to Professors Gamini Fonseka, P.K.M. Dissanayaka and Upali Pannilage of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Ruhuna.