The Incubator Space for FHSS students is now available at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, which was built with the main intention of developing the professional hand-skills in Journalism, other communication and professional skills of the undergraduates who are intending to pursue their career through the field of Journalism.
The Department of Mass Communication of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in collaboration with the HELVETAS Interco-operation gGmbH (HELVETAS) were able to successfully launch the Incubator Space build by HELVETAS to the students and staff members of Mass Communication on Monday, 3rd of October 2022. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of USJ signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HELVETAS, on 17th August 2020. The Incubator Space was created as part of the Incubator Space for Promoting Information Right and Freedom of Expression (InSPIRE) project funded by the European Union and implemented by HELVETAS in partnership with Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) with the objective of promoting and respecting the freedom of expression, by empowering a community of youth. The Incubator Space is an integrated multi-disciplinary learning space that promotes collaboration between under-graduate students of mass-communication, resource persons and media sector experts. This space equipped with media equipment, conference facilities, a lounge area, co-working and broadcasting space will contribute to enhancement of knowledge and technical skills related to media and communications.
The occasion was graced by Senior Professor Sudantha Liyanage, the Vice Chancellor of University of Sri Jayawardanapura; Professor Shirantha Heenkenda, the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Professor. Kusumalatha Lankamulla, Head of Department of Sinhala and Mass Communication; Dr. Senani Harischandra, Coordinator – Mass Communication & Senior Lecturer Department of Sinhala and Mass Communication; Dr. Senesh Dissanaike, Senior Lecturer, Department of Sinhala and Mass Communication; Ms. Imesha Dharmasena, Senior Lecturer, Department of Sinhala and Mass Communication; Prof. G. Weerasinghe, Department of Economics; Ms. Subhashi Dissanayake – Country Director, HELVETAS; Ms. Chandula Kumbukage – Project Manager, HELVETAS; Mr. Mohamad Azad – Programme Director, SDJF; Ms. Ramona Stephen – Project Officer, HELVETAS; Mr. Selvaraj Selvamanikkam – Finance Officer, HELVETAS and Ms. Ayodhya Krishani – Communications Officer, SDJF and Mass Communications undergraduate students.
The handing over of Incubator Space was followed by signing of agreement from both the parties of pertaining to usability and maintenance of Incubator Space, handing over of media equipment, presenting of four learning modules developed under the project and an orientation to students on the Incubator Space. The launching of the Incubator Space can be considered as a remarkable milestone achieved by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of University of Sri Jayewardenepura as it would support the welfare of many undergraduates who are specializing in the field of Journalism.
