Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya
The responsibility for the management of the affairs of the Association and the powers necessary to discharge such responsibility is vested in the Executive Committee led by the President. 15 Presidents have held the position since the AAUP’s inception in 1987
Although the University of Ceylon in Peradeniya was established in 1952 under Professor Ivor Jennings, as the very first Vice- Chancellor, the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya (AAUP) was formed only in 1987. It is a body approved by the University Council and recognized by the University of Peradeniya. The Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor of the University were appointed as the Patron and Vice Patron of the Association, respectively.
The very first person to be enrolled as a member of the AAUP in 1987 was the eminent scholar and academic, the late Prof. R.G Panabokke of the Faculty of Dental & Medical Sciences.
The first meeting of the Executive Committee was held on 01 November 1987 at the Vice Chancellor’s residence, the Lodge. Prof. B.L. Panditharatne, a distinguished scholar and a renowned academic holds the honour of being elected as the first President of the AAUP. Mr. C.G Abeykoon, the Registrar of the University, and Mr. M.K.S Kumarage, the Bursar of the University at that time, were elected as the first General Secretary and the Treasurer of the Association, respectively
The first Annual General Meeting was held in 1989 and the second in October 1990, a tradition that is followed to date, with the exception that the AGM is held on the last Sunday of March, each year.
A major milestone in the history of the AAUP since its establishment is the formation of AAUP Chapters both locally; in Colombo, Ruhunu and Wayamba and overseas; in Victoria, Canberra, New South Wales, Western Australia, Ottawa and Toronto. The Northern Chapter takes the pride of place as the latest Chapter to be added to the AAUP
The major focus of the AAUP is Student Welfare. The AAUP annually awards scholarships/studentships to undergraduates from funds made available by foreign and local Chapters as well as by well-wishers. These awards go to needy students and students with outstanding performance at examinations. In addition, the AAUP donates equipment to the Special Needs Resource Unit (SNRU) of the University for the use of undergraduates with special needs. Also, provides facilities to Halls of Residence, for the benefit of students.
Conduct of Spoken English classes for undergraduates and IELTS classes for junior academics and new graduates have become a regular activity of the AAUP in recent times. To enhance personality development of undergraduates and their employability workshops, seminars, mock interviews and career fairs are held at regular intervals.
The AAUP is proud of its commitment to University development. Worthy of note are the donations of four million rupees collected by the AAUP towards the University Art Gallery and Museum project in 2004 and the seven million rupee project to install Wi-Fi facilities in Halls of Residences, presently in progress (2019/2020).
Yet another milestone of the AAUP is the monthly holding of the ‘Thursday Forum’ that brings the University community together for fellowship, debate and discussion on topics of varied public and academic interest. These talks are delivered by well-known scholars and specialists in different disciplines.
‘Paduru Parties’, although not novel to the Sri Lankan society have become a popular event of the AAUP in recent times, much appreciated by the University community. These have provided a stage to the Pera Singers; senior academics as well as young alumni to perform to the music of our own Pera musicians.
Yet another popular activity of the AAUP that members look forward to is the trips organized for members and their families and friends to places of historical interests as well as scenic beauty. These trips provide opportunities for fellowship and comrade among members of different generations in the University.
Community Service is yet another aspect that AAUP focuses on. Among them, the conduct of health clinics in remote villages and awareness programs with diagnostic testing for non-communicable diseases by medical alumni are worthy of note. Free distribution of spectacles and drugs for those that attend are a part of these programs.
Fundraising has become an integral part of the annual agenda of the AAUP. These activities include holding of dramas, musical shows, variety shows, films, raffle draws, bring and buy sales etc.
The AAUP has been able to obtain several benefits for its Membership. The Vice-Chancellor has approved/granted the following facilities to the AAUP members.
When requesting for these facilities members should provide the AAUP membership card. AAUP Souvenirs have become a hallmark of the Association. The AAUP office maintains a stock of souvenirs that include t-shirts, mugs, umbrellas, key tags, plaques, car stickers etc. for sale during office hours.
The commitment displayed, especially by the office bearers, staunchly supported by Chapters, well-wishers and the general membership of the AAUP has contributed greatly to the success of the programs launched by the Association. These programs are directed towards the welfare of the undergraduates and the University community, and to enhance knowledge in spheres of Languages, Art, Culture, Health etc..
The contribution by the Colombo Chapter especially towards the day to day activities of the Association by way of attending EXCO meetings, exchanging views and ideas and helping to achieve the objectives of the Association through its programs is significant.
The Association through the establishment of links with overseas alumni now established in different countries of the world intends to develop and advance the image and ranking of the University, locally and globally.
The AAUP Office located in a room in the WUS complex, assigned by the University, is the centre of operations. It is well equipped and employs an Office Assistant who attends to day to day office routine matters. Phone: 081 2068370/071 752 8593, Email: aaupslk@gmail.com, Address: AAUP Office, Student Centre, University of Peradeniya.
The AAUP maintains a web site and Facebook pages in line with the present global communication system.
This association brings together alumni of the:
- Ceylon Medical College (1870-1942)
- University College (1921-1942)
- University of Ceylon (1942-1967)
- University of Ceylon, Peradeniya (1967-1972)
- Peradeniya Campus of the University of Ceylon (1972-1978)
- University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (1979 onwards)
This association is for the benefit of the Peradeniya University community which includes the alumni of the above mentioned institutions.
- To encourage, foster and promote close relations between the University and its alumni and among the alumni themselves
- To promote, in the alumni body, an interest in the affairs and well-being of the University
- To provide and disseminate information regarding the University, its graduates, faculties and students, to the alumni
- To ensure that programs are initiated and developed for the benefit of the alumni
- To assist and support the efforts of the University in obtaining funds for development
- To serve as a medium through which alumni may support and advance the pursuit of academic excellence at the University
- To guide and assist alumni who have recently completed their courses of study at the University to obtain employment and to engage in productive pursuits useful to society
- To pursue any other objectives consistent with the above aims and objectives of the Association
Download the constitution of the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya as on 25th march 2001 in PDF format Download