Senior Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda
Dean,
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura,
Gangodawila,
Nugegoda,
Sri Lanka.
It is with great pride and purpose that I represent the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS) at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. This faculty continues to evolve as a transformative space for learning, research, and civic engagement.
We live in a time when the value of the humanities and social sciences has never been more critical. As societies navigate complex political, economic, and technological transitions, our disciplines offer the tools to ask deeper questions, understand diverse perspectives, and envision more just and inclusive futures. It is within this broader context that our faculty reaffirms its mission: to produce thoughtful, socially responsible, and globally competent graduates who are not only well-versed in knowledge but equipped with the capacity for critical reflection, innovation, and leadership.
Over the past several years, we have undertaken a bold and deliberate process of transformation—both structurally and pedagogically. Guided by the strategic vision of the University, we have aligned our development with its seven core goals: enhancing teaching and learning, promoting research and innovation, ensuring quality and accountability, embracing digital education, expanding national and global partnerships, strengthening infrastructure, and empowering students. These priorities are not merely institutional commitments—they are our collective roadmap to relevance and excellence.
The faculty has embraced digital transformation at an unprecedented scale, integrating smart learning technologies, virtual platforms, and blended teaching models that respond to the changing demands of higher education. At the same time, we have introduced new and socially relevant academic programs, restructured our curricula, and promoted interdisciplinary learning that bridges the classroom with real-world challenges.
Research and creativity are flourishing across our departments, with increasing engagement in public scholarship, applied social studies, and the performing arts. We are particularly proud of our thriving culture of theatre and documentary exploration that powerfully communicates the lived realities of our time and amplifies voices from the margins.
What makes this journey truly meaningful is the spirit of our academic community, our dedicated staff, aspiring students, and valued partners—who together form the backbone of our faculty’s progress. I firmly believe that the humanities and social sciences must remain not only academically rigorous, but also publicly relevant and ethically grounded. This is the ethos we continue to foster through our academic, cultural, and social endeavors.
As we move forward, I invite all stakeholders—locally and globally—to collaborate with us in building a more informed, empathetic, and forward-thinking society. Together, we can continue to uphold the values of scholarship, service, and innovation that define the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Thank you.