The University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) is situated in the suburbs of Colombo, having a vision to “Prosper Lives through Education”. The youngest Faculty of the University is the Faculty of Urban and Aquatic Bioresources (FUAB) which is uniquely positioned to teach, research and provide services in the fields of urban and aquatic bioresources. The primary objective of establishing the FUAB is to nurture human resources that would contribute and provide the necessary expertise to the development and sustainable utilization of urban and aquatic bioresources in the country. While collaborating with reputed industries and institutions, the FUAB would also join hands with small and medium scale entrepreneurs to strengthen the entire workforce of the urban and aquatic bioresources sectors of the country. The FUAB will fulfil the long-standing need of a knowledge-based bioeconomy addressing the blue-green concept.
The mission of the Faculty is to develop the required human resources for a knowledge-based bioeconomy through undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs. The intended development is to be achieved by means of research and development in the fields of urban and aquatic bioresources and through dissemination of novel knowledge to strengthen water security, sustainable food production and healthy ecosystems.
Gratitude towards the pioneers of the Faculty of Urban and Aquatic Bioresources
The establishment of the Faculty of Urban and Aquatic Bioresources was initiated by the former Vice-Chancellor, University of Sri Jayewardenepura/Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Snr. Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, according to his vision and keen interest. Upon taking the Chair as the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Snr. Prof. Sudantha Liyanage shouldered the responsibility of the process of establishing the FUAB.
The former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna/ present Chairman/Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (CARP), Emeritus Prof. Gamini Senanayake, the Lead Consultant of the FUAB has been pioneering this process for over an year emphasizing the uniqueness of the proposed Faculty.
Snr. Prof. Pradeep Jayaweera, the Coordinator and Dr. Udari Rathnathunga, then Secretary of the FUAB, sustained through the process to become make the Faculty a reality which will definitely help boost the knowledge-based bioeconomy in the country.
The establishment of this Faculty through the past few year was a tremendous task which is a result of the hard work and collaborative effort of a team of internal and external senior consultants.
Urban Bioresources
Aquatic Bioresources
Multidisciplinary Studies