e.mail from Tissa Kappagoda

Dear Nana, Daya and Philip,

I was struck by Nana's idea because if my experience with various universities in different parts of the world. In the the U.S. there is a rich tradition of Alumni Associations providing enormous financial assistance to their Alma Maters. For instance both Harvard and Stanford give a full remission of fees to undergraduates who are unable to attend the school despite having good grades.

In Sri Lanka, the government charged us nothing for providing what I still consider was an excellent education. By the same token, those things given free usually tend to be regarded as having no value as well. It would be wonderful if we, in some small way, could change this culture among the younger generation who not only expect a free education but a guarantee of a job as well. The politicians perpetuate this culture by promising jobs.

I wonder whether we could consider setting up an Alumni Fund for the Faculty of Medicine in Colombo with specific aims and an appropriate set of rules to further the cause of medical education in Sri Lanka. If we succeed in doing so, other faculties may follow suit. It may go some way towards making the faculties independent of the Government which seems to control every single aspect of life in these institutions.

All the best,

Tissa