On July 16, 2016, the Huazhong University of Science and Technology Alumni Association of Sri Lanka (HUST-AASL)- the first alumni association based on international alumni was successfully launched in Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. Nearly 70 past and current students of HUST gathered together to celebrate this big event. Academics of all circles, delegates from the Chinese embassy and the Chinese Cultural Centre in Sri Lankawere invited to attend the launching ceremony. Professor S.J.B.A Jayasekera, Chairman - Committee of Vice-Chancellors & Vice-Chancellor of Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Professor M. Thilakasiri, Director General - Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), Dr. Priyantha Padmakumara, Ph.D., Secretary of the University Grants Commission, Mr. Yue Liwen, Director -China Culture Centeri n Sri Lanka and Dr. D. P.S. Chandrakumara, Dean- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura graced the occasion.
Professor Ding Lieyun, President of HUST & Academician of China Academy of Engineering sent a congratulatory letter through a three member delegation from HUST, comprising of Mr. Yu Hailin, Director - International Exchange Centre, Ms. Zhao Xiaofeng, Deputy Dean - School of International Education and Mr. Lan Hanghang, Program Officer - School of International Education, who attended the ceremony and celebrated the fabulous evening together with the alumni.
The inaugural meeting was held where the constitution of the HUST AASL was incorporated and the executive committee and committee members were elected. Dr.Hiran Wimalaratne, MBBS MS (Orthopedics), a graduate of the 2012 batch of HUST from Union Hospital, and a Specialist in Orthopedic Surgery, Army Hospital, Colombo, was elected as the first President. Dr. M.M.D.R. Deegahawature Ph.D., a graduate of the 2014 batch of HUST, from the School of Management and head of Department of Industrial Management of Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, was elected as the Secretary. Dr. T.K. Karandaketiya PhD, a graduate of the 2014 batch of HUST, from the School of Management and a senior lecturer of the Department of Business Management of Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, was elected as the Treasurer.
Dr. Viasini De Silva PhD, a Graduate from the School of Management of HUST and a Senior lecturer at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Dr. Buddhika Ranaweera PhD, a graduate of the College of Public Administration of HUST and a senior lecturer at the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Dr. Ranjan Mendis MBBS, a graduate of Tongji Medical College of HUST and an intern at Kalmunai general Hospital of Sri Lanka, Dr. Missaka Senanayake MBBS, a graduate of Tongji Medical College of HUST, Mr. Sagara Chandrasekara, Ph.D. candidate of the College of Public Administration of HUST and a lecturer of the Colombo University and Mr. D.D. Prabath Vitharana, a trainee of HUST & SLIDA and Head of Water Management Division, Department of Agricultural Development were elected as committee members.
Dr. Hiran Wimalaratne, the first president of HUST- AASL, expressed his great honor and joy to be elected as the first president of the association. He said in his speech that China and HUST left many wonderful memories to her alumni, thus, with a great affection for China and the attachment to HUST, the alumni cooperated with absolute sincerity and worked together to set up the alumni association. In addition, He committed to extend continuous influence of HUST in Sri Lanka with great responsibility and to contribute his effort to promote development of HUST and enhance friendship betweenChinaandSri Lankathrough solid work.
Professor S.J.B.A Jayasekera, Vice-Chancellor of Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, delivered an impassioned address. He appreciated it very much that HUST had nurtured a batch of high-level intellectuals for Universities, Health sector, Government administration and other organizations of Sri Lanka. Excellence of the products proved why HUST is amongst the best in China. He believed that Wayamba University of Sri Lanka will continue the friendship and enhance cooperation with HUST, to promote exchanges and cooperation in higher education between the two countries.
Professor M. Thilakasiri, Director General of SLIDA, stated in his address that SLIDA and HUST are like hand in glove, interacted frequently and achieved fruitful results since both parties established cooperative relationship in 2013. Besides, he also said that SLIDA was happy to see that HUST has a growing influence inSri Lankaand was willing to provide corresponding support to HUST- AASL. He also suggested that all members of the association need to make their own contribution for the sustainability of the association.
Mr. Yue Liwen, Director of China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka, expressed appreciation for HUST attaching importance to exchanges and cooperation withSri Lankaand cultivating a group of successful Sri Lankan alumni. He mentioned that it was the first time that he had taken part in a foundation ceremony of a Chinese University alumni association in Sri Lanka, since the Chinese Cultural Center in Sri Lanka was established in 2014, and he felt much honored to be a part of it. He strongly hoped that China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka could enhance cooperation with HUST-AASL, make use of complementary advantages and jointly promote exchanges and cooperation in culture and the field of Education between the two countries.
Mr. Yu Hailin, Director of International Exchange, HUST read the congratulatory letter from Professor Ding Lieyun, President of HUST. Professor Ding Lieyun said in his letter that, “HUST Alumni Association of Sri Lanka” is the first international alumni association in the history of the university. It will be a land mark in the development of HUST. The foundation is of great significance, which not only reflects achievements of international education of HUST, but also will set a good example for the formation of alumni association in other countries. After the inauguration, all alumni under the leadership of the Executive Committee shall continuously enhance contact with other alumni, promote friendship, help each other and form a family atmosphere. Meanwhile, the alumni association shall assist the development of alumni individuals and become the bridge between all circles of Sri Lanka and HUST.”
Dr. Ranjan Mendis and Mr.Thivanka Wijesinghe, both good orators in Chinese language and English, did an excellent presentation about student life at HUST andChina. They elaborated on the wonderful experience and knowledge they gained at HUST and thanked HUST andChinafor what they have achieved.
Dr. T.K. Karandaketiya, Treasurer of the HUST-AASL delivered a speech of “Where We Want HUST and Our Alumni to be in the Future” and called for the full support of all alumni of Sri Lanka to work together closely for the better future of our alma mater. Dr. M.M.D.R. Deegahawature, Sectary of the HUST-AASL, expressed his heartfelt thanks to all individuals and parties for their support to make this great event come true in his vote of thanks.
After the Inauguration ceremony, Mr. Yu Hailin awarded admission letters to four PhD candidates who will study in HUST under the support of Chinese Government Scholarship.
Formation of HUST Alumni Association in Sri Lanka received extensive attention of all circles ofSri Lanka. Sri Lanka ITN TV, Sri Lanka SIRASA TV and China Radio International and other media reported this launching ceremony.
7月16日，我校斯里兰卡校友会在斯首都科伦坡成立。斯里兰卡国家行政学院院长M. Thilakasiri教授，大学校长联谊会主席、Wayamba 大学校长S.J.B.A Jayasekera教授，国家大学拨款委员会常秘Priyantha Premakumara先生，中国文化中心主任乐利文等各界人士出席了校友会成立仪式。校长丁烈云致信祝贺。
会议通过了《华中科技大学斯里兰卡校友会章程》，选举产生了校友会组织机构。我校2012届协和医院硕士毕业生、斯里兰卡军队总医院骨科主任HIRAN KUMAR WIMALARATNE WANIGAMUNI当选为首届会长，2014届管理学院博士毕业生、Wayamba大学工业管理系系主任M.M.D.R. Deegahawature当选为秘书长。
HIRAN表示被选为首届会长深感荣幸，也感到责任重大。他说，中国和华中科技大学留给校友们太多美好的记忆，广大校友怀着对中国的深厚感情和对母校的眷恋，精诚团结，汇聚在一起，希望通过扎实的工作，不断扩大母校在斯的影响力，为推动母校的发展和增进中斯两国的友谊贡献力量。
M. Thilakasiri教授在致辞中指出，斯国家行政学院与华中科技大学自2013年建立合作关系以来，双方合作密切，交流频繁，合作成果丰硕。斯国家行政学院很乐意看到华中科技大学在斯里兰卡影响力不断扩大，并愿意为华中科技大学斯里兰卡校友会工作的开展提供支持。
S.J.B.A Jayasekera教授说，非常感谢华中科技大学为斯政府、大学、医疗系统等各类机构培养了一批高水平人才。华中科技大学校友们的卓越表现证明了华中科技大学的不凡实力和高水平，证明了中国高等教育的卓越性。Wayamba 大学将继续保持与华中科技大学的联系，促进两国高等教育的交流与合作。
乐利文对华中科技大学重视与斯里兰卡开展交流合作并培养了一批成功的斯里兰卡籍校友表示赞赏。他表示，斯中国文化中心将加强与华中科技大学斯里兰卡校友会的合作，互补优势，共同推动中斯两国的文化教育交流与合作。
国际交流处常务副处长余海林宣读了丁烈云的贺信。贺信说：“华中科技大学斯里兰卡校友会是我校历史上首个以国际学生为主体的校友会，其成立具有重大的意义。这不仅反映了学校国际教育取得的成就，还将为其他国家留华毕业生校友会的成立树立一个榜样！校友会成立后，广大校友要在理事会的带领下，不断加强校友间的联系，增进友谊，互帮互助，形成良好的大家庭氛围，同时，校友会要助力校友们的发展，成为斯各界与华中科技大学沟通交流的桥梁。”
斯里兰卡校友会成立仪式结束后，余海林还向获得中国政府奖学金资助来我校留学的4名博士生候选人颁发了录取通知书。
近70名斯里兰卡籍校友和在校生汇聚一堂，庆祝校友会成立。
华中科技大学斯里兰卡校友会的成立受到了斯社会各界的广泛关注，斯国家ITN电视台、斯SIRASA电视台、中国国际广播电台等媒体作了相关报道。
