In a commendable initiative to enhance cross-cultural academic collaboration, Professor Shirantha Heenkenda, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura, facilitated a significant donation of books to Yunnan University. This contribution, aimed at supporting the academic pursuits of students studying Sinhala at the Chinese institution, underscores the commitment to fostering educational ties between Sri Lanka and China.
The donation, comprising 200 books, spans a variety of disciplines including Sinhala language, literature, culture, society, and art. This diverse collection is expected to serve as a valuable resource for students and scholars at Yunnan University, enriching their understanding of Sinhala studies. The initiative highlights the ongoing efforts to promote cultural exchange and mutual learning between the two universities.
Professor Heenkenda expressed his hopes that this donation would not only aid in the further studies of Sinhala at Yunnan University but also strengthen the relationship between the University of Sri Jayawardenepura and Chinese universities that offer Sinhala language programs. He emphasized the importance of such exchanges in building strong academic partnerships and fostering a deeper cultural appreciation between the two nations.
Receiving the donation with gratitude, Professor Liu Shusen, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages at Yunnan University, acknowledged the significance of this gesture. He announced plans to reciprocate by donating a collection of Chinese language books to the University of Sri Jayawardenepura. This exchange symbolizes a mutual respect and a shared commitment to enhancing linguistic and cultural studies. Professor Shusen conveyed his heartfelt thanks to the University of Sri Jayawardenepura and particularly to Professor Heenkenda for this meaningful contribution.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to cultivate academic collaboration and cultural exchange. In 2022, under the leadership of Sugath Ratnayake, a lecturer in the Sinhala Studies Department at Yunnan University, the “Sri Lanka–China Friendship Library” was established within the School of Foreign Languages at Yunnan University. This library, inaugurated with a substantial donation of 1,000 books, serves as a testament to the enduring friendship and scholarly cooperation between the two institutions.
The establishment of the “Sri Lanka–China Friendship Library” marked a significant milestone in the academic relationship between the two universities. It provides a dedicated space for students and faculty to access a wealth of resources on Sri Lankan culture, language, and literature. This library has become a focal point for promoting Sinhala studies in China and facilitating a deeper understanding of Sri Lankan heritage among Chinese students.
The recent donation of 200 books by the University of Sri Jayawardenepura further enriches this repository of knowledge and underscores the ongoing commitment to supporting educational exchanges. These efforts reflect a broader trend of universities worldwide recognizing the value of cross-cultural academic partnerships in fostering global understanding and cooperation.
By providing these resources, both universities are paving the way for future collaborations that will benefit students and scholars alike. The exchange of books is not merely a symbolic gesture but a practical step towards creating a more interconnected and informed academic community. It is through such initiatives that institutions can bridge cultural gaps and contribute to a more inclusive and comprehensive global education system.
In conclusion, the book donation by the University of Sri Jayawardenepura to Yunnan University represents a significant step in strengthening the academic and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and China. It highlights the role of universities as bridges of knowledge and cultural exchange, fostering mutual respect and understanding. As both institutions continue to support each other through such initiatives, they set a valuable example of international cooperation in the realm of higher education.
