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Tsunamis and the Sri Lankan Studies
[ * ] Learning
from 26/12
Tsunamis on 26/12
caused severe damages to Sri Lanka. Aftermath of the disaster led the
nation to learn many lessons. Although the relief and rehabilitation
efforts began soon, their effectiveness was greatly hampered due to
lack of pre-disaster information on affected areas. Sri Lankan
universities joined in the national effort in relief and reconstruction
and also helped the government in assessing the damage. Two of the
universities launched special centers with a vision to assist the
recovery of the present crisis and to maintain and initiate databases
in a needy situation in the future. This prompts the social science
research community the need for studies based on a functional approach
on communities and on sectors of the economy to generate information
that has invaluable importance in a similar unexpected situation.
Eastern University
of Sri Lanka-Information Center on Tsunami Disaster Homepage: http://www.eusl.info/
Ruhuna
University- Center for Relief Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Studies
(CRRRS)
Homepage: http://www.ruh.ac.lk/tsunami/crrrs.html
[ * ] Sri Lank's national efforts on Tsunami
relief and rehabilitation is coordinated by the Center for National
Operations (CNO)
Website Address : http://www.cnosrilanka.org/
[ * ] To learn the science of tsunami visit the
JIT Lecture at Pittsburg University, Over 250,000 people visited the site
since its creation after 26/12.
Website:
http://www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec18071/index.htm
[ * ]
Livelihood
Connect Resources for Tsunami Crisis
Provided bythe Livelihood-Connect Team at the IDS-Sussex, this is
a compilation of lessons from previous natural disasters. This
comprehensive collection of papers provide insights into relief
efforts, vulnerability issues, and coping mechanisms.
Website address: http://www.livelihoods.org/post/Env9-postit.html
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Sri Lanka Studies Network News
[ * ] SLSNET supports Leonard Woolf Memorial
International Conference
Sri Lanka Studies
Network supported the Culture and Society in a Colonial Context:
Leonard Woolf Memorial International Conference held at the University
of Ruhuna on 18th and 19th December 2004. The event marked the
Centenary of the arrival of Leonard Woolf; colonial administrator and
writer to Sri Lanka. Prof. Yasmine Gooneratne, renowned post colonial
writer, delivered the keynote address. The well attended conference was
a venue for academic discussions ranging from literary criticism to
post-modernism thought. The special session on youth risk behavior in
Sri Lanka drew the interest of many participants and laid the
foundation for future research. The conference was organized by the
Cultural Center of the University of Ruhuna and Institute of Population
Health of the Ottawa University, Canada.
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In
Search of Excellence
[ * ] Sri Lankan born
women scientist appointed president of a canadian univeristy
Sri
Lankan born Prof. Indira Samarasekera was nominated as the first women
and the 12th president of the University
of Alberta in Canada.
An esteemed academic and administrator, Dr.
Samarasekera, earned her B.Sc in Mechanical Engineering from the University
of Ceylon and began her
career as a mechanical engineer at the Refinery of Ceylon Petroleum
Corporation. She received her masters’ degree from the University
of California and the
doctorate from University of British Colombia,
Canada.
After working a professor in the department of metals and materials
engineering and the Centre for Metallurgical Process Engineering at the
University
of British Colombia since
1980, Dr. Samarasekera was appointed UBC vice-president (research) in
2000. Winner of several academic awards and honors, Dr. Samarasekera is
known as an engineer who also has a commitment to the humanities,
social sciences and the arts.
Read the
announcement by the University
of Alberta Public Affairs: http://www.expressnews.ualberta.ca/expressnews/articles/news.cfm?p_ID=6182
[
* ] What
excellence means?
Dedication
and exemplary work make people to distinguish themselves in the
classroom, the laboratory, their communities, the state, and around the
world. Dr. Deborah Winslow, Co-cordinator of the 3rd ICSLS
was recognized by the University
of New Hampshire
as one of the accomplished faculty for career excellence.
Read
these pages to learn how they define excellence. http://www.unh.edu/facultyexcellence/letter.html
[ * ] First steps
towards excellence……..Wayamba
University
undergraduates launch a website
Showing
a promising future and recognizing the importance of the internet age,
undergraduate students of the Wayamba University designed and launched
a website for the Nutrition Society of the Wayamba
University of
Sri Lanka. Based at the Department of Applied Nutrition, the aim of the
society is to promote the understanding on human nutrition.
Website:
http://www.nutsoc.net/
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10th ICSLS Update
[ * ] Dates for the 10th ICSLS: 16th - 18th
December 2005
The 10th Conference on Sri Lankan Studies (10th ICSLS) will be held
from 16th to 18th December 2005 at the Kelaniya University, Sri Lanka.
The theme “Sri Lanka after 500 Years of Western Colonization and Future
Perspectives” will explore various facets of the past and the future of
Sri Lanka in the global context.
The conference will be hosted by the Social Science Research Center of
the University of Kelaniya. Dr. K Karunatilake is the co-ordinator of
the 10th ICSLS. Dr. Karunathilake was a member of the national
advisory committee for the 9th ICSLS and is currently the Head/
Department of Sociology of the University of Kelaniya. A
graduate of the Sri Jayawardenapura University he earned his doctorate
from JNU.
Deadline for abstract submission is 30th May 2005. More details are now
available at the Sri Lanka Studies Network Website at: http://www.geocities.com/slageconr/slsnetindex.html
Dr. Karunatillake is contactable through e-mail: kkaru@kln.ac.lk
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Social Sciences in Sri Lanka
[ * ] Peradeniya
Sociology ranked the top in IRQUE proposals
Department of
Sociology at the University of Peradeniya earned the highest rank among
all participating institutions at the final selection of the grant
proposal competition of the IRQUE Project. Key feature of the proposal
is improving the training quality of undergraduates through availing
research opportunities in the ethnic communities other than their
own. It is proposed that the students from the northern and the
eastern districts of Sri Lanka will work in other districts and vise
versa. The process will be facilitated by providing appropriate
training in languages and with co-ordinating the appropriate study
locations through local organizations. Established in 1949, Sociology
Department at the University of Peradeniya serves around 1000
undergraduate students.
Improving the
Quality and Relevance of Undergraduate Education (IRQUE) is a capacity
building initiative implemented by the University Grants Commission of
Sri Lanka with the support of the World Bank.
Visit Peradeniya
Sociology Website: http://www.pdn.ac.lk/arts/socio/socio.html
Visit IRQUE
Website: http://www.ugc.ac.lk/IRQUE/index.htm
[ * ] Hema Goonatillake
elected as new president of SLAAS/Section-F
Dr. Hema
Goonatilake was elected as the president of the social sciences section
of the SLAAS for the year 2005. Dr. Goonatilake began her career as a
teacher in the Vidyalankara University and served as the UN advisor to
the government of Cambodia until 2004. Dr. Goonatilake is a member of the
Committee on Sociology of Religion of the ISA and the Vice President of
Sakyadhita International Buddhist Women’s Network. The King of
Cambodia conferred Dr. Goonatilake the title “Sahamithra”. (Meaning the
best friend, the highest honour conferred upon a foreign national) in
recognition of her service as a promoter of research culture in Cambodia. Dr. Goonatilake’s plans for the year
include capacity building of young social scientists through
facilitating interactions with senior scientists.
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Conference Announcements
[ * ] International
Symposium on Tsunami Science, Society and Governance
Organizer: Sparta Institute of Social Sciences
Date and Venue: March 5-6, 2005, New Delhi, India.
Major areas covered: Warnings, Disaster Reduction, Coastal Issues,
Social and Psychological Issues, Children, Community, Relief and
Rehabilitation and Governance.
Send abstract(200 Words)/Full papers(2000 Words)/Willingness to
participate/poster concepts to Prof. D. Mukhopadhyay. E-mail:
spartaindia@yahoo.com ASAP but before 28th February 2005
[ * ] The XVI
ISA World Congress of Scoiology
The first ISA World Congress of Sociology in Africa will be held in Durban South Africa from 23rd to 29th July 2006. The theme of the congress is “The
Quality of Social Existence in a Globalising World”. Durban provides the international social
science community with an opportunity to encounter a society in
transition, in a context that is highly cognizant of the importance of
social science in reconstruction and development.
Conference Website: http://www.ucm.es/info/isa/congress2006/
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Young Researchers’ Corner
[
* ]
Call for participation: ISA Junior Sociologists Price
The international Sociological
Association (ISA) announces the fourth worldwide competition for junior
scholars engaged in social research. Junior Scholars are those under 35
years of age on May 1st, 2005. Participants should hold a Master's
degree (or an equivalent graduate diploma) in sociology or in a related
discipline. Entries should be postmarked April 1st, 2005 at the latest or reach the Milton Keynes
( the UK) Secretariat before May 1st, 2005.
Read more at: http://www.ucm.es/info/isa/wcys/index.htm
[ * ] SLAAS Post Graduate Publications Award
Post
Graduate Publications Award recognises the quality of research
conducted at Sri Lankan universities for post graduate degrees. SLAAS
members who present their research work at the SLAAS Annual Sessions
will be elegible for application for the competetion in the
following year. Contact Hony General Secretaries for more information:
Telephone: 94-11-2688740
[ * ] Useful book from Sage-India
[ ** ] DOING YOUR
MASTERS DISSERTATION : Realizing Your Potential as a Social
Scientist
Chris Hart, (
Independent Scholar, Researcher and Writer)
February 2005 Sage
India/Vistar Imprint ISBN: 81-7829-506-7
This book is a clear and comprehensive guide to the practicalities of
researching, preparing, and writing a Masters dissertation. This text
also includes materials and comments aimed at engendering higher-level
scholarship based on reflection, contemplation and critical thinking.
The book can be ordered at:
http://www.indiasage.com/browse/book.asp?bookid=886&Subject_Name=Research+Methods&mode=1
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Resources for Researchers
[ * ] Call for applications: UNESCO Small Grants
Program on Poverty Eradication
Deadline: 31st March
2005
The overall goal
of this program is to encourage mid-career professionals and their
institutions to contribute to poverty eradication strategies and
national action plans that are based on a human rights framework.
UNESCO aims at strengthening national capacities for research and
policy analysis on poverty eradication. This program targets
researchers in selected Member States in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia
and parts of Latin America and the Caribbean – the regions or
sub-regions, according to prevailing trends, least likely to achieve
the United Nations Millennium Development Goal on halving extreme
poverty by 2015.
Read more at http://portal.unesco.org/shs/en/ev.php-URL_ID=1396&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
[ * ] GDN’s Toolkit for Proposal Writing and
Fundraising
Obtaining funding for research
is a difficult achievement. Global Development Network (GDN) provides
as a part of its resource base, a toolkit for proposal writing. Based
on interviews with experienced research fundraisers, this toolkit
provides tips and practical suggestions for applying for funding and
proposal writing.
Available
at: http://www.gdnet.org/online_services/toolkits/proposal_writing/index.html
GDN Homepage: http://www.gdn.org/
[ * ] UNESCO Social and Human Sciences Homepage
UNESCO’s social
and human sciences is one of its five specialized Sectors, The mission
of the sector is advancing knowledge, standards and intellectual
cooperation in order to facilitate social transformations where the
values of justice, freedom and human dignity can be fully realized. The
sector is organized around five themes, ethics, human rights,
philosophy, poverty eradication, prospective studies and social
transformation.
UNESCO HSS Home: http://portal.unesco.org/shs/en/ev.php-URL_ID=5280&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
[ * ] Sri Lankan sources of research funding
National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka
and the Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy offers
contract research grants for scientists based at universities and
research institutes in Sri Lanka NSF has initiated a program for post
doctoral fellowships and research fellowships to support stipend for
full-time reseach.
For more details
visit :
NSF website: http://www.nsf.ac.lk/
CARP
Website: http://www.slcarp.lk/
[ * ] NSF-SL Travel Grants Program
National
Science Foundation of Sri Lanka s offers international travel grants to
resident Sri Lankan scientists to support attending scientific
meetings/ workshops/ short term training programs Young
investigator aged 35 or below pursuing full time research or research
training for a higher degree and those aged 36-65 and possessing a
postgraduate research degree, evidence of continuing research and good
research record are elegible to apply.
More details are found at http://www.nsf.ac.lk/sida/travel.htm
[
* ] PDF Books from the US National Academies
Press
The US National
Academy of Sciences Press is a major publisher in science. NAP
publications are available in print of as PDF books. There are many
thousands of PDF books in a range of subjects including History of
Science and Ethics of Research. Visitors from Sri Lanka can download the PDF files free of
charge.
Visit
the NAP Website: http://www.nap.edu/
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Teaching
and Learning Resources
[
* ] MIT OpenCourseWare
Open Courseware
initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a free and
open educational resource. Aimed at the teachers, students, and
self-learners around the world, the website provides access to more
than 500 courses ranging from aeronautics and anthropology to women’s
studies and writing and humanistic studies. Listed courses include brain and cognitive sciences and nuclear
engineering.
MIT-OCW Main page http://ocw.mit.edu/index.html
Go to the list of
available courses :http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Global/all-courses.htm
[
* ] Super Course in Epidemiology by the Pittsburg University
Offered by the
Pitsburg University,
the course is designed to provide an overview on epidemiology and the
Internet for medical and health related students around the world. The
concept of the course is described in the British Medical Journal as
the Global Health Network University. The course offers over 2000 lectures in
many aspects of epidemiology including the social aspects.
Visit the
course website: http://www.pitt.edu/~super1/index.htm
[ * ] Gender Issues
and Women at Work
(English version)
Get Ahead for Women in Enterprise: Training Package and Resource Kit
by Susanne Bauer,
Gerry Finnegan and Nelien Haspels
Bangkok: ILO, 2004
Web Version ISBN 92-2-115808-X can be downloaded as PDF files at ,
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/pub4c.htm
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SLSNET Technology Corner
[ * ] Use of
PDF in the internet
[ * ] What is PDF?
Portable Document Format (PDF) files look similar to the printed files
when they are viewed in any computer. PDF files are more compressed and
therefore save resources in transmission and storage. Its use in web
publishing is increasing rapidly
[ * ] Reading PDF Files
Reading the PDF files can be done using adobe acrobat reader. The
software can be downloaded for free at http://www.adobe.com/
PDF files are opened within the web browser if the adobe acrobat reader
is installed in the computer. Follow the link.
[ * ] Downloading PDF files
PDF files are downloadable and savable on the hard disk.
Right-click the link and then select the save target option and specify
the saving location Saved PDF files can be opened by double
clicking the file icon.
[ * ] Creating PDF Files
Creating PDF files for professional work is usually done using
commercially available software. However, reasonably good PDF files can
be generated using free software available at :http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/doc/AFPL/get850.htm
[ * ] RS/GIS
and Social Sciences
Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (RS/GIS)
application are increasingly used and have a wider potential in using
in social science research. Following are a few examples on using
RS/GIS in social sciences.
[ * ] Use of GIS in Historical Research
The China Historical Geographic Information System (CHGIS) project
based at Harvard University aims to establish a database based on
historical administrative units for different periods in Chinese
history. The project will also provide a base GIS platform for
researchers to use for spatial analysis, temporal statistical modeling,
and representation of selected historical units as digital maps.
Visit the CHGIS Website: http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~chgis/
Also learn about the Great Britain Historical GIS Project of the
University of Portsmouth
http://www.port.ac.uk/research/gbhgis/
[ * ] Book: People and Pixels: Linking Remote
Sensing and Social Science
This volume examines the possibilities for using remote sensing
technology to improve understanding of social processes and
human-environment interactions. Examples include deforestation and
re-growth in Brazil, population-environment interactions in Thailand,
ancient and modern rural development in Guatemala, and urbanization in
the United States, as well as early warnings of famine and disease
outbreaks. The book also provides information on current sources of
remotely sensed data and metadata and discusses what is involved in
establishing effective collaborative efforts between scientists working
with remote sensing technology and those working on social and
environmental issues.
The book can be downloaded at: http://books.nap.edu/catalog/5963.html
[ * ] Geo-informatics Society of Sri Lanka
GISSL is the professional body to promote academic and research
activities based on GIS.
Website: http://www.pgia.ac.lk/GISNatSym/GIS-SL.htm
Or Contact them via,
Geo-Informatics Society of Sri Lanka,
Department of Agricultural Engineering,
Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Peradeniya
Peradeniya-20400
E-mail: gissl@pdn.ac.lk
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Organizational Profile
[ * ] University of Peradeniya
The University of Peradeniya (UPSL) is the heir to the oldest
university tradition in Sri Lanka as the successor to the University of
Ceylon (Founded on July 1, 1942). The mission of the UPSL is to
promote excellence in higher education and research and to contribute
towards national development of Sri Lanka. The university consists of
seven academic faculties, and two postgraduate institutes is the home
for over 6000 undergraduate and over 1000 postgraduate students.
UPSL library Network has over 700,000 items and is a national
depository center for all books published in Sri Lanka.
University of Peradeniya Homepage: http://www.pdn.ac.lk/
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New Books on Sri Lankan Studies
[ * ] Kandy at War: Indigenous Military
Resistance to European Expansion in Sri Lanka: 1594-1818
Author:
Channa Wickremesekera
ISBN:
955-8095-52-4
Publisher: Vijitha
Yapa Publications, 2004
The
book explores how the Kingdom of Kandy presents one of the
finest examples of effective military resistance to European expansion.
http://www.srilankanbooks.com/
[ * ] Sons of the Rebel
Author: C.
Gaston Perera
ISBN:
955-8095-77-X
Publisher:
Vijitha Yapa Publications, 2004
The book Set in
17th century Ceylon against
the backdrop of the relentless onslaughts of the Portuguese on the
Kandyan Kingdom.
http://www.srilankanbooks.com/
[ * ] Economy, Culture,
and Civil War in Sri Lanka
Editors: Deborah
Winslow and Michael D. Woost
Contributors:
Francesca Bremner, Michele Ruth Gamburd, Newton Gunasinghe, Siri T.
Hettige, Caitrin Lynch, John M. Richardson, Jr., Amita Shastri, Deborah
Winslow, and Michael D. Woost.
Publisher :Indiana
University Press, 2004
An
interdisciplinary examination of the relationship between the economy,
broadly defined, and the reproduction of violent conflict, this volume
argues that the war is grounded not just in the goals and intentions of
the opposing sides, but also in the everyday orientations, experiences,
and material practices of all Sri Lankan people.
http://www.indiana.edu/~iupress/books/0-253-34420-4.shtml
[ * ] Peace in Sri Lanka : Obstacles and Opportunities
World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS) Oslo Conference Proceedings
Editors: Rohan
Gunaratne, Paul Harris
Contributors:
Rohan Gunaratne, Paul Harris, Susantha Goonatilake, H.L.D. Mahindapala,
Harendra De Silva, Shantha Hennayake, Neville S. Ladduwahetty, F.
Rovik, Asoka Bandarage, Mahinda Weerasinghe
ISBN: 955-1165-004
Publisher: World
Alliance for Peace in Sri
Lanka, 2005
Available at
Vijitha Yapa Online Bookstore
http://www.srilankanbooks.com/
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SLSNET Newsletter
is a quarterly publication of the Sri Lanka Studies Network.
( c) Sri Lanka Studies Network Secretariat
Department of Sociology,
University of Ruhuna,
Matara – 81000
Sri Lanka
E-mail: slageconr@yahoo.com
[ * ] Contribute to the SLSNet Newsletter
Please send contributions for the next issue by 15th March 2005.
Comments on
the contents of this newsletter and suggestions for further
improvements are welcome.
[Disclaimer]
Compilation and editing of this newsletter was done with best possible
care to present readers updated and relevant information.
Responsibilities on the content of the indicated websites remain with
respective website managers.
[Production Credits]
SLSNret Newletter
compiled by : Dushmanthi Silva/ Sri Lanka Studies Network Secretariat
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