Chinese Delegation Visits the University of Peradeniya to Explore International Student Admissions and Academic Collaboration
A delegation representing three higher education institutions in China visited the University of Peradeniya on 28 October 2026 at 9.00 a.m. for a meeting held at the Vice-Chancellor's Office. The primary objective of the visit was to discuss opportunities for Chinese students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Peradeniya and to explore potential academic collaborations between the participating institutions. The delegation represented Shijiazhuang Medical College, China; Hebei University of Technology, China and Shijiazhuang Vocational College of City Economy, China.
The Chinese delegation was warmly welcomed by Prof. Terrence Madhujith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya. The meeting was attended by Prof. Ranjith Pallegama, Deputy Vice-Chancellor; Prof. S.P.K. Malaviarachchi, Director, Centre for Global Engagements (CGE); Prof. R.G.S.C. Rajapakse, Dean, Faculty of Science; Dr. S. Maheswaran, Dean, Faculty of Management; Dr. Anil Wasantha Kalupahana, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science; and Prof. B.M.H.S.K. Banneheka, Dean, Faculty of Dental Sciences. Other representatives of the University included Dr. Sandaruwan Subasinghe, representing the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture; Prof. Damayanthi Dasanayake, representing the Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences; Dr. Irushika Fernando, representing the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Dr. Asitha Bandaranayake, representing the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Prof. Sampath Tennakoon, Director, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS); Dr. Jayampathi Herath, representing the
Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS); Prof. C.N.R.A. Alles, Coordinator, Sports Education Programme; and Ms. Thushanika Pakkiyarasa, Project Manager, Centre for Global Engagements.
The Chinese delegation comprised Prof. Wang Guangzhou, Dean, School of Continuing Education, Shijiazhuang City Vocational College of Economics; Prof. Zheng Xiangshen, Vice President, Shijiazhuang City Vocational College of Economics; Prof. Wang Changwei, Deputy Director, Project Department, School of Continuing Education, Hebei University of Technology; and Prof. Wang Jianzhong, Project Director, School of Continuing Education, Hebei University of Technology.
The meeting commenced with an overview of the University of Peradeniya presented by the Vice-Chancellor, who highlighted the University's academic strengths, educational opportunities, and existing collaborations with Chinese higher education institutions. The discussions focused on identifying suitable academic disciplines and programmes at the University of Peradeniya for prospective Chinese students, particularly opportunities to enrol in Master's degree programmes. The Chinese delegation also expressed interest in having prospective students undertake English-language courses offered by the University of Peradeniya prior to commencing their academic programmes, in order to strengthen their English-language proficiency and prepare them for higher education in Sri Lanka.
The representatives of the Chinese institutions introduced their respective universities and outlined their interests in establishing academic partnerships with the University of Peradeniya. In response, the Director of the Centre for Global Engagements requested the delegation to submit a list of preferred academic disciplines and areas of collaboration to facilitate further discussions. Representatives of the participating faculties of the University of Peradeniya also introduced their respective academic programmes and areas of study, followed by detailed discussions on postgraduate programmes offered by the different faculties and postgraduate institutes.
An important proposal presented by the Chinese delegation was to establish an academic pathway through which Chinese students could complete the first three years of their undergraduate studies in China and undertake the final year at the University of Peradeniya to complete their Bachelor's degree. The delegation also expressed interest in providing opportunities for students to pursue a further one-year Master's degree at the University of Peradeniya. The University representatives discussed the possibility of developing such arrangements as a joint-degree programme. It was further discussed that the Centre for Distance and Continuing Education (CDCE) could take responsibility for coordinating the proposed arrangements, subject to the necessary academic and institutional considerations.
The importance of credit mapping between the respective institutions was also highlighted as a prerequisite for considering undergraduate student transfers and ensuring the compatibility of academic programmes. Concluding the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor expressed the University's willingness to explore mutually beneficial academic collaborations, particularly in postgraduate education
and international student admissions. The Chinese delegation was requested to coordinate with the Director of the Centre for Global Engagements for further discussions, submission of proposed academic fields, and necessary follow-up actions.
The visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen international academic relations between the University of Peradeniya and the participating Chinese higher education institutions, opening up potential opportunities for international student mobility, postgraduate education, and collaborative degree programmes.
The Chinese delegation was warmly welcomed by Prof. Terrence Madhujith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya. The meeting was attended by Prof. Ranjith Pallegama, Deputy Vice-Chancellor; Prof. S.P.K. Malaviarachchi, Director, Centre for Global Engagements (CGE); Prof. R.G.S.C. Rajapakse, Dean, Faculty of Science; Dr. S. Maheswaran, Dean, Faculty of Management; Dr. Anil Wasantha Kalupahana, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science; and Prof. B.M.H.S.K. Banneheka, Dean, Faculty of Dental Sciences. Other representatives of the University included Dr. Sandaruwan Subasinghe, representing the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture; Prof. Damayanthi Dasanayake, representing the Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences; Dr. Irushika Fernando, representing the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Dr. Asitha Bandaranayake, representing the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Prof. Sampath Tennakoon, Director, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS); Dr. Jayampathi Herath, representing the
Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS); Prof. C.N.R.A. Alles, Coordinator, Sports Education Programme; and Ms. Thushanika Pakkiyarasa, Project Manager, Centre for Global Engagements.
The Chinese delegation comprised Prof. Wang Guangzhou, Dean, School of Continuing Education, Shijiazhuang City Vocational College of Economics; Prof. Zheng Xiangshen, Vice President, Shijiazhuang City Vocational College of Economics; Prof. Wang Changwei, Deputy Director, Project Department, School of Continuing Education, Hebei University of Technology; and Prof. Wang Jianzhong, Project Director, School of Continuing Education, Hebei University of Technology.
The meeting commenced with an overview of the University of Peradeniya presented by the Vice-Chancellor, who highlighted the University's academic strengths, educational opportunities, and existing collaborations with Chinese higher education institutions. The discussions focused on identifying suitable academic disciplines and programmes at the University of Peradeniya for prospective Chinese students, particularly opportunities to enrol in Master's degree programmes. The Chinese delegation also expressed interest in having prospective students undertake English-language courses offered by the University of Peradeniya prior to commencing their academic programmes, in order to strengthen their English-language proficiency and prepare them for higher education in Sri Lanka.
The representatives of the Chinese institutions introduced their respective universities and outlined their interests in establishing academic partnerships with the University of Peradeniya. In response, the Director of the Centre for Global Engagements requested the delegation to submit a list of preferred academic disciplines and areas of collaboration to facilitate further discussions. Representatives of the participating faculties of the University of Peradeniya also introduced their respective academic programmes and areas of study, followed by detailed discussions on postgraduate programmes offered by the different faculties and postgraduate institutes.
An important proposal presented by the Chinese delegation was to establish an academic pathway through which Chinese students could complete the first three years of their undergraduate studies in China and undertake the final year at the University of Peradeniya to complete their Bachelor's degree. The delegation also expressed interest in providing opportunities for students to pursue a further one-year Master's degree at the University of Peradeniya. The University representatives discussed the possibility of developing such arrangements as a joint-degree programme. It was further discussed that the Centre for Distance and Continuing Education (CDCE) could take responsibility for coordinating the proposed arrangements, subject to the necessary academic and institutional considerations.
The importance of credit mapping between the respective institutions was also highlighted as a prerequisite for considering undergraduate student transfers and ensuring the compatibility of academic programmes. Concluding the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor expressed the University's willingness to explore mutually beneficial academic collaborations, particularly in postgraduate education
and international student admissions. The Chinese delegation was requested to coordinate with the Director of the Centre for Global Engagements for further discussions, submission of proposed academic fields, and necessary follow-up actions.
The visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen international academic relations between the University of Peradeniya and the participating Chinese higher education institutions, opening up potential opportunities for international student mobility, postgraduate education, and collaborative degree programmes.