Table of Contents
- Successful completion of the microscopes project for the Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences
- APPEAL: Take up this challenge! Help the Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences to acquire urgently needed microscopes!
- Proposal to provide microscopes for teaching and research activities – Department of Zoology & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo
01. Successful completion of the microscopes project for the Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences
Dear Alumni and Friends of University of Colombo Faculty of Science:
We are pleased to announce that CUFSAA was able to complete the microscopes project for the department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo very successfully. This was possible due to the generosity of a number of alumni, who helped to raise the $15,000 USD required to purchase the microscopes within a couple of weeks. Accordingly, ten (10) bright field light microscopes (Olympus CX23) and one (1) dissection microscope (Olympus SZX7) were handed over to the department of Zoology and Environmental Science on April 20th, 2021 during a simple and moving ceremony graced by the Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Chandrika Wijeratne and in the presence of the Dean of the Faculty of Professor Upul Sonnadara, Head of the department of Zoology and Environmental Science Professor Deepthi Wicremasinghe, Heads of Departments, members of the academic staff and students. CUFSAA was represented by Dr. Binodh de Silva and Professor Preethi Guneratne’s sister Ms. Aruni Fernando. CUFSAA is very thankful to the talented group of young science faculty students who organized and conducted the event in an exemplary manner. It is a testament to the quality of students in the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo. You can watch the event in the facebook link of FOS Media at https://www.facebook.com/fosmedia/videos/660874308045432/. Photographs related to the event are available on the CUFSAA website “cufsaa.com”.
Your donation will help the education and training of undergraduate and postgraduate students in the of the Department of Zoology & Environmental Sciences, faculty of science for years to come. With this donation, what we have fulfilled is, as one of the alumni stated, “The least we could do to payback a small portion of the debt we owe to the country for the high-quality free education that put us where we are today.”
With the successful completion of this project, you have demonstrated a great Sri Lankan quality, which the Vice-Chancellor herself pointed out in her address as: “Although they have ventured beyond the shores of Sri Lanka, they have not forgotten their beginnings”.
This is the largest project undertaken by CUFSAA so far for the faculty and CUFSAA is very thankful to all the alumni who made contributions and made it a reality. Your enthusiasm to help your Alma Mater is contagious! You have now given us the confidence to undertake even larger projects for the faculty.
02. APPEAL: Take up this challenge! Help the Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences to acquire urgently needed microscopes!
Dear Alumni and Friends of University of Colombo Faculty of Science:
We are reaching out to you to raise $15,000 USD to purchase ten (10) bright field light microscopes (Olympus CX23) and one (1) dissection microscope (Olympus SZX7) for the department of Zoology and Environmental Science. The department is in dire need of this equipment for their teaching and research activities. It is heart wrenching to hear they are still using the same microscopes we used when we were at UofC more than 20-30 years ago.
On the bright side, we are absolutely thrilled to announce that Professors Preethi & Gemunu Gunaratne, two of our alumni, have recognized this urgent need and have pledged they will match your donation dollar for dollar. We wholeheartedly echo the sentiments they expressed in making this offer: “The least we could do to payback a small portion of the debt we owe to the country for the high-quality free education that put us where we are today” . Their generous offer has generated so much enthusiasm and brought us that much closer to achieving our goal (only $7500 to raise) and helping our friends at UofC. We are confident that with your support we can successfully complete this project which is so vital for teaching and research in your Alma Mater. Details of this project are given below.
The Department of Zoology & Environmental Sciences accommodates more than 450 students during a semester, including levels I, II, II and IV. The department hosts three honors degree programs; Zoology, Immunology & Integrative Molecular Biology and Environmental Sciences. In addition, the department conducts M.Sc., M.Phil., and Ph.D. programs which involve active research programs. Laboratory courses and research projects are conducted in five different laboratories. Currently there is an urgent need for light and dissection microscopes to accommodate both the newly added degree programs and to incorporate the latest updates. The majority of the current equipment was purchased over 30 years ago and are antiquated and beyond repair due to unavailability of parts. Furthermore, the number of microscopes available is not sufficient to cater to the number of students in the department. Many research studies on cells, tissues and functions are performed regularly and the light microscopes are shared by both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Additionally, since undergraduate courses take priority, the availability of the microscopes to M.Phil and Ph.D. students has been curtailed, leading to unnecessary delays to their research. This adversely affects the progress of the postgraduate research students. In addition, with the expanded course offerings in Zoology, Parasitology and Entomology, there is an additional need for dissection microscopes for practical classes.
Let’s make this project a reality for the education and training of undergraduate and postgraduate students in the of the Department of Zoology & Environmental Sciences, faculty of science for years to come. Let’s come together and help our Alma Mater!
Please note that CUFSAA-NA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. If your company/employer has a matching fund program for donations made by employees to nonprofit organizations, CUFSAA is also eligible to receive matching funds.
Your generous contribution to this project will have a major impact on the education and training of undergraduate and postgraduate students in the faculty of science for years to come.
Please make your donation using the designated Paypal button below:
or by check made payable to “CUFSAA-NA” and sent to the CUFSAA Treasurer:
Dr. Saliya de Silva
393 Valley Road
River Edge, NJ 07661
03. Proposal to provide microscopes for teaching and research activities – Department of Zoology & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo
The Department of Zoology & Environmental Sciences accommodates more than 450 students during a semester, including levels I, II, II and IV. The department hosts three honors degree programs; Zoology, Immunology & Integrative Molecular Biology and Environmental Sciences. In addition, the department conducts M.Sc., M.Phil., and Ph.D. programs which involve active research studies. Practical sessions and research projects are conducted in five different labs. Currently there is an urgent need for light and dissection microscopes to accommodate both the newly added degree programs and also incorporate the latest updates. The majority of the current set was purchased over 30 years ago and are beyond repair due to unavailability of parts during servicing. Also, the number of microscopes available is not sufficient to cater to the number of students in the department. Many research studies on cells, tissues and functions are performed regularly and the light microscopes are shared by both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Furthermore, since undergraduate student users remain the top priority, the availability of the microscopes to M.Phil and Ph.D. students is limited. This adversely affects the progress of the postgraduate research students. In addition, with the expanded course offerings in Zoology, Parasitology and Entomology, there is an additional need for dissection microscopes for practical classes.
At the request of the Department of Zoology & Environmental Sciences, CUFSAA plans to provide ten bright field light microscopes (Olympus CX23) and one dissection microscope (Olympus SZX7) to the department. The total estimated cost of this project is US$15,000.
Thank you!
CUFSAA