COME...LETS RUN THROUGH THE MEMORIES

This is the end of the year 2017.  Our very first year in the university. When I look back the first thing which gets in to my mind is the day that I came here. All the things were new. After starting the academic semester I met the software engineering friends. We talked with some friends but not with all. I was very shy to talk.

We started PPD sessions also in the first semester. At the first day we had to come in front of the class and introduce ourselves for about 4 minutes. On that day we got to know about every body. From that day onward we did various activities. You can get to know about most of those activities when you go through my blog FLY OVER THE HORIZON.

As software engineers we do coding sitting with a laptop. We have lots of subjects to handle in the university. Apart to that we have to find extra things like new technologies , new computer languages etc. We do not have time to have a fun or to relax our minds.

PPD session gave us lots of things that we cannot learn from books. Most of the students were shy to speak in front of people. Some had weak English. From the first day Miss Sarasi asked us to speak in English. So that we all were able to improve our language as well as talking ability. We had to explain some activities in the class.

We did lots of team activities. There we had to achieve goals in a limited time time. Through those we learnt lots of things. We had to work with different kind of people with different ideas. We had to respect their ideas while selecting the best. Sometimes we had to be a team leader and lead the team to a success.As a team leader we had listen to everyone ideas This helped us even to develop our personality as well our thinking ability. We had to think in a creative way to o some activities. Different groups think differently. So we able to get to know new ideas also.

And also we get lots of fun.We laugh together.We walk together. We share things.So unlike other academic sessions at the end of each session we are mentally relaxed.

At the end of the semester we went for a out bound training at Trincomalee naval base. It was really funny and able to find gems within us. We spent unforgettable 2 days there.

PPD session was something very important which helped us to improve our selves. When I looked back I am very happy to being a part of it. But do not think this as the end. You will have more. Hikz. Happy new year. FLY OVER THE HORIZON.

                                   Two days without laptops

Have you ever being to a navy camp? I know when I asked that question you will get a mind picture like soldiers with  rough faces, guns ,unfamiliarity, hostile feeling, smell of gun powder and sound of boats . That is the image outer world has. But it is totally wrong. We went to the naval base at Trincomalee  for a out bound training.

We software engineers always sit in front of a computer and do coding. It is very rare that we do an outdoor activity.  We went to the naval base at about 10 O'clock. We got 1 h time to change.Then we went for lunch. All the works in there are done at sharp time.

After the lunch we ran about 1 km distance to the beach. We were grouped in to 4 groups and did various games.

  1. Go through high tension sqaure
  2.Passing a ball through pipes
  3.Filing a tube with holes with water
  4. Playing volley ball using a coat
  5.tug of war

All these games were team activities. So we were able to improve many qualities. When we do a  team activity we should have a team leader to guide us. We should listen to the team leader and follow his or her orders. But we all can discuss and express ideas. But final decision should be made by team leader. First we did not get that point. So even though navy officers appointed a leader for each group , we did not care and all participated in decision making. Some times we can survive but it is not effective.In the first game 7 out of 8 members went through the high tension wire including me.

Games like 2 and 3 really need a leader to coordinate the work. The leader had to say where to stop where to move where to slow down. The teams which had a good connection with the leader completed the task.

We enjoyed a lot through those works. Then we went to our hostels and changed. At night we had a camp fire and a variety show. We were able to show our talents. It was really fun to do those things  Then we had the dinner and called off the day.

Next day morning we went through a jungle from naval base to elephant pint. We were given th compass and go to the ending point finding the correct path. During that we faced lots of challenges. As a team we had to care about each and every body. We met a  injured soldier. As a team we had to decide what we should do. We have to protect the team ass well as the save that person. Some team members got injured. So we had to discuss and listen to the final decision of the team leader.At last we went to the targeted place. That place was so beautiful.

We rest a bit and walked to see the  naval museum. We saw how the technology used to make their weapons, boats, ships etc. We saw LTTE weapons and equipment. We got a huge knowledge. Then we had lunch.

Officers , Soldiers in the naval base helped  us a lot. They all treated us in a good manner. We enjoyed a lot.They dedicated their time and effort for us even in a  busy schedule. We were very happy to join with them to celebrate their 67th anniversary.

We gain lots of things, we were able to learn good things. We improved lots of qualities. We were very thankful for them and the miss Sarasi for organizing such a marvelous event.

You know what even though soldiers always deals with guns and rules they are humans like us. They are good hearted people who make this world a peaceful place that we can live freely. We must pay our gratitude for them.

  BARTER PUZZLE

We went back to our childhood.Can you remember the time that we used to make puzzles?

Last PPD session was an amazing and funny session. First we were divided in to 3 groups and was given a picture.We have to keep that picture in our mind.Then the team leader had tear it in to 100 pieces. After that Miss Sarasi took 10 pieces from each group and mixed them all and divided them among groups. What we had to do was to make the picture with a given time by using any strategy. We were given the opportunity to get the pieces through negotiations or through trading team members. We wanted to decide it as a group.

First we tried to separate pieces according to the picture and see what we can make.So we divided in to small groups and did it. But we were unable to achieve our target within the given time. None of the groups were able to do it .

To do this kind of a work we need to use our brain very carefully. While making our pictures we have to keep some pieces of other groups also to prevent them from winning. This is what happens in the industry. We have to protect our team while exchanging pieces. We have to be more careful when we work in a competitive environment. We have to think about different sides.

                                 Goals for life….achieve it and fly over the horizon.

We have lots of dreams , but  with the time some dreams become goals. Dreams do not become true just because we dream them , we have to make them as goals and have to work hard for it.

Have you ever think of your life goals and dreams?

In last PPD session we had to do a presentation about our goals. Miss. Sarasi asked to think about our goals and display on a Bristol board. We all displayed our board in-front of the class and talked about it.

We divided our goals in to 3 main parts as professional, academic and personal. We all had almost same academic goals. But different professional and personal goals. Some wanted to start up a company while some wanted to work in a reputed company like virtusa. One girl wanted to start a preschool. This shows us how different people are. We think different, we do different things. This became more varied with the personal goals. People satisfy with different goals.

What I strongly believe is we should lead a happy personal life to be satisfied with other professional and academic goals. We do everything for our happiness.

By doing this we were able to improve our presentation skills. Most students fear to talk in front of an audience. So this was a good opportunity to overcome it and improve our English language. We started to think about our lives in a more meaningful way.

We all should have a target for our lives. If we dream it and work for it we can achieve it. Keep goals and achieve them one by one. Others may be different but focus on your own goals. Because it is you, who will be happy by achieving them.

                                          Egg man

What happens when you drop an egg on the floor?

                             

In our last PPD session miss Sarasi  took three eggs and A4 sheets with her. We all wondered why? Does she plan to have an omelette? No, she divided us in to 3 groups and gave each an egg ,a sellotape and 5 sheet of papers. What we had to do was make any kind of a thing using those which will protect the egg shell when it drop from a very high place about 10 feets.

At first I thought "oh no we can't achieve this.How can we protect an egg shell from these things?".

So then I turned to my friends. Discussing and listening to others ideas are essential when we come across team works. We gathered and talked to make a plan.Our main point was to make something which can absorb the pressure that makes when it touches the floor.So we made a cylinder and put the egg inside and placed it in the middle.Then we put some papers on the top and bottom of the cylinder and covered it with sellotape.

After that we thought of a way to protect the sides of the egg.Then we realized we can only protect the egg shell if we avoid the contact of the egg shell and ground with a high pressure. So we made rods using papers and placed them around the egg so that can avoid the contact of egg shell with ground.Finally we made our humpty dumpty by decorating the egg.

                                             

We went outside and found a place to drop eggs.Teddy is the tallest student in our class and miss Sarasi asked him to drop each egg. It was really a heart breaking incident to see when eggs hit the ground.Then we unwrapped the eggs.The egg of our group didn't had any crack while eggs of the other two groups cracked.

What we learnt from this were we should think and plan before doing something. Good communication between team members also an important thing. Understanding the issues and the targets correctly also play important roles. Here, first we should find the reason why an egg get cracked when it touches the ground. Then we have to find the solution. We should think differently and beyond the box.

We passed a lava river. So hot and melting. Can you imagine such kind of a thing? But guys Some friends felt on to the lava. It was so sad to see.

Are you crying guys? No no it was just a game, just a challenge. Hikz. We did not cross a real lava river.It was an imaginary one.  Have you heard about the games lava river? Stand on the paper?

We were grouped in to 3 groups and given a sheet of paper which was little bit larger than a bristle board. What we had to do was to step on the paper with the miss Sarasi's command and stand on it until she says out. We cannot step out of the paper, if any one stepped out all the group was removed. So while keeping our own feet on the paper we had to help others and make space to keep their feet and to keep their balance. There were few rounds and in each round paper was teared in to smaller size than before. When the paper get smaller it was really hard to step on it by our own without taking the help of the other team members. 

Then we had another task. That was to cross an imaginary lava river using 4 sheets of card boards or tiles. We cannot touch lava or cannot loose any human touch with  tiles. If  any tile loosed human touch that tile was taken away. The group which passes all the team members with the minimum time was considered as the winners.

You may think that what an easy task. But guys believe me it is not that easy if we do not have team spirit , good planning, trust on others. Every team used their own plans and strategies. They were different from team to team.

At first we were asked to overseas one by one. But all the teams lost their cards. Then we were asked to cross the river with all the team members. And there were 50 and 20 marks signed places on the floor. If we crossed through that places that marks were added to the group.

We learnt many more things with this activity. Victory is not something that comes just with a small a try and a wish. We have to work hard on it. We should have a way or a strategy to go for it. Sometimes we cannot achieve our task by our own. We need help of the others. We have to keep trust on others. And time management also an important thing. Is it worth if we cannot achieve something on time? Think in a different way. Learn from failures.Failures are the ladders to the success. Do not fear for challenges. Face those bravely. Keep your target in your mind. Do not hesitate to take help from others when we want it. Think about others. Give them your hand. Communicate with right people at right time. When we walk to the victory we get extra benefits if we change the path that we were walking. For an example the 50 and 20 marks. At such kind of situations we must think bravely and choose the correct path.

So think about these things and add those to your life. Life is long journey to go. We cannot predict what kind of challenges will appear in front of our face. So as the young generation we have to do our best to improve our selves.

   University of Kelaniya.

University of Kelaniya is considered as one of the major government universities in Sri Lanka.Our university is always committed to provide good knowledge to every student and make them good professionals.

"To become centre of  excellence in creation and dissemination of knowledge for sustainable development"

                    Vision of the University of Kelaniya

"To nurture intellectual citizens through creativity and innovation,who contribute to the national development"

     Mission of the University of Kelaniya 

The history of the university runs back to 1875.It was started by the Dharmaloka Thera and it became University of Kelaniya in 1978.It was one of the first universities which started teaching science in sinhala. Today university of Kelaniya stands as a great pillar in the university system in Sri Lanka by donating thousands of graduates to motherland in every year.

     There are 07 faculties in university of Kelaniya.

They are

• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of medicine
• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Faculty of Commerce and Management studies
• Faculty of Graduate studies
• Faculty of Computing and Technology

Faculty of Science

Faculty of science in the university of Kelaniya was started in 1967 by professor Charles Dahanayake. It can be seen from the main road which is situated in the left side of the Kelani kanda. It provides education for many undergraduates with maximum effort.When we enter through the main entrance of the faculty we can see the science faculty building which consist with the dean office also.Then we can see the main ground which helps to improve lots of hidden abilities of the undergraduates.Then we can see the Dharmaloka hall.When we pass the Dharmaloka hall , the IT center is in the right side.

Faculty has a canteen ,an auditorium and a study room. Faculty of Science has 8 departments.

Botany

Chemistry

Industrial Management

Micro biology

Mathematics

Physics

Statistics and Computer science

Zoology and environmental management

     

Library

The Library of the University is one of the main sources of knowledge.There are thousands of books consist of very rare books which we cannot find from other public libraries or shops.Library consist of many section with a study area which the students can go and do the studies.There are lots of e books that can be easily downloaded. Students can find most of the university past papers.It is a great help in examinations.And also there is a leisure reading area in the library.The Library functions in a very methodical way by providing maximum advantage to everybody.

  

Medical Center

Medical center is one of the most important places in the university which provide immense service. It is situated in front of the management faculty. It opens from 9 am to 3.30 pm. There are many talented professional doctors who checks students at any emergency situation. They have details of every student in the university with some medical details and physical details.They do their maximum for the students when they face any kind of physical illness.The doctors and the staff are very kind to everybody. They also consider about the quality of the water and the mosquitoes inside the university.

Hostels

University of Kelaniya has students from all over the country. So most of the students cannot daily travel from their home to the university. So university provides shelter to most of the students.As university cannot provide hostel facility with every student they provide it by considering the distance and the income of the family. Girls hostels are situated inside the university while boys hostels are in many near by places. All the hostels have good security and good facilities even with free WiFi.

Canteens

There are more than 5 canteens in the university.Gym canteen is the main canteen.We can buy foods at anytime from these canteens.There are many varieties of foods like rice and curry,sorties,soft drinks etc.Gym canteen is opened at week ends also.They try their maximum to give clean and nutritious foods to the students.There is a separate canteen for the staff also. The price of foods are very low at these canteens than shops outside the university which is a huge benefit for the university students.There is a photocopy center and a stationary shop also.

University of Kelaniya is a great place to complete a degree which it provide maximum support to every student. So make your dream a success from this place and it will help you to fly over the horizon in your life.

What we gain from Personal Progress Development?
  
                           

We have improved lots of qualities through this session so far.I believe it might help with you guys to improve your qualities as well .So today lets look through the importance and qualities that we improved.I am little bit busy with my exams but will try my best to share those with you.

We should have a good personality even to stand with others.In the PPD session we had to take many responsibilities during team works as well as when we are doing something individually.So through that we able to develop our personality.We have to develop our personality to talk with others,to work with others.Personality is not something that we get from our dresses.Yes dress is a factor but we have to develop some more qualities in us.

We all have fear to talk in front of other people.Specially in English.Madam Sarasi does not allow us to talk in Sinhala. So it improves our speaking ability as well as our English knowledge.As professionals we should have that quality with us.We should have personality to express our self.

 Taking a leadership also another thing that we have to do if we want to improve our self with these qualities.When we take a leadership we have to handle a certain group of people with different ideas,different qualities. As a leader we have to consider all these things.We should have the ability to control the problems arises because of this. As a leader we should listen to other members ideas and then choose the best idea.We have to improve our patience. Leader should care about the all team members without any bias.Work as a family.Give the hand to those who falls down.

                                             
            Through the PPD session we can improve our creativity.When doing team works as an example the paper tower and making story we tend to think different.We try to plan before do something.We try to think beyond the box.We try to think positively.

 And also we get lots of fun.We laugh together.We walk together. We share things.So unlike other academic sessions at the end of each session we are mentally relaxed. Mental relaxation is the most important thing in our life.Keep in your mind  we do not live to study we study to live.So be happy in every thing that you do.

Through PPD lessons we were able  to swim through our selves and find the diamonds which are hidden inside ourselves.Go much more deeper and deeper , there may be pearls, gems, sapphires hidden inside you.Who knows.?