About 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.
Alumni Association of University of Peradeniya, known as the AAUP was inaugurated for the benefit of Peradeniya University community which includes the alumni from various University of Peradeniya specific institutions. 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)
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 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.
Objectives of the AAUP
- 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
A Brief history of AAUP
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.