UK-Sri Lanka Partnership Links Scheme

Promoting Sustainable Design and Education to Facilitate Tsunami Reconstruction in Sri Lanka
Final Report
1. LINK DETAILS Link title: UK partner institution (s): Sri Lankan partner institition (s): UK Link Co-ordinator: Overseas Link Co-ordinator : Start date: End date: Subject area: 2. PRIORITIES & ACTIVITIES The priorities and activities of the programme applied to this partnership link project are marked as X below: Priorities: * Economic development (economics, management, IT, engineering, science, health) and specific economic sectors (agriculture, forestry, tourism); * Development of economic co-operation such as international relations, regional integration, conflict resolution, public policy, business law and taxation, sustainable development, business ethics, disaster management, social and cultural development; * Environmental sciences, eco-tourism, urban environmental reconstruction, water management. Activities: * Human Resource Development; Initiate discussions for provision of split PhD, staff exchange, consultancy for e- portal development. Course contents for postgraduate / undergraduate modules on sustainable material use & climate sensitive settlement design Customisation of e-learning systems at UOM for architecture courses Promoting Sustainable Design and Education to Facilitate Tsunami Reconstruction in Sri Lanka University of East London (& Rawell Environmental Ltd) University of Moratuwa Professor Chitral Wijeyesekera Professor Rohinton Emmanuel 25th November 2005 17th March 2006 Sustainable Architecture; E- learning; Environmental Engineering;

Enabling e-learning facility for architectural & environmental course material.

Promotion of the use of British landfill liner products in Sri Lankan construction.

* Curriculum Development; * Institutional and Systems Development. 3. LINK ADMINISTRATION, ACTIVITY AND OUTPUTS

Administration Did the partnership project meet all planned objectives and did all the scheduled activities take place as intended? If not, please give further details. Yes and in addition the following beneficial activities were carried out, over and above those planned in the proposal. Public Lectures; one each at the British Council Offices in Colombo and Kandy on topics related to the project including a presentation by Vidyajothi Professor Dayantha Wijeyesekera (former VC, UOM) on an overview of the impact of Tsunami on Sri Lankan Higher Education. Presentations on application of UK structural waterproofing products to academia (Prof Chandrakeerthi, UOM) and industry ( Water Board, Ratmalana) Recruitment of 3 UOM undergraduates to pursue postgraduate MSc in Civil Engineering at UEL. 1

Did you have any problems that have affected the smooth running of the link? If so, please give details and add any suggestions as to how these difficulties could be avoided in the future? There were unavoidable third party delays in sorting the travel arrangements and obtaining UK entry visas for the travel of the Sri Lankan academics. The short lead time did not make it possible for one of the academics to obtain a further benefit of a contemporaneous visit to Delft, Holland to meet his PhD supervisor. Activities & Outputs All link activities that have taken place throughout the Link (details of participants, any resulting outputs) and how they have been or will be disseminated. The activities on this Partnership Link Project were of different forms with a view to promote capacity building. viz: Demonstration for hands on use of software programs Design seminars to academic staff and students Lectures to groups of students, academic staff, professionals and public Meetings as face to face interaction to review past activities and plan future collaboration Membership activities to register on electronic discussion groups for extended collaboration Presentations at organised conferences, seminars Visits to gain and extend knowledge about architecture, construction and materials Workshops for interactive discussion groups

Note: participants and locations are abbreviated as follows TB* AG* SF* DS* RW* ST*SNF*DC*Mr Tom Broadhurst, Education services, British Council, Sri Lanka. Mrs Arosh Gamage, Senior Lecturer, University of Moratuwa & Practicing Architect Mr Shantha Fernando, Senior Lecturer & Chartered Engineer, University of Moratuwa. Vidyajothi Prof. Dayantha Wijeyesekera, former Vice Chancellor, University of Moratuwa Ms Roshini Wickramanayake, Lecturer, University of Moratuwa Dr Simon Tucker, Senior Lecturer, University of East London Mr Steven Flynn, Commercial Director, Rawell Environmental Ltd., Hoylake, Merseyside. UK Prof. Chitral Wijeyesekera, University of East London.

BCSL**- British Council, Sri Lanka CAT** - Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, UK SCOT**- School of Computing & Technology UEL** - University of East London, UK UOM** - University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Activities (e.g. visits, seminars, workshops, training courses)

Dates

Participants (Name & job title of partnership representatives; numbers of external participants) ST* at UOM**

Outputs (e.g. materials, numbers of trained participants, documents produced)

How have the outputs been disseminated?

4 Lectures on; Energy, environment & buildings. Climate & thermal properties of buildings Cooling, ventilation, thermal comfort Materials and construction techniques MSc Year Design Seminar Nature studies workshop

24 Jan 25 Jan (SF* - conversion of material)

Lectures to 60 participants (PG students and staff)

Lecture handout, ppt presentation and production of e- learning material.

24 Jan

ST* & AG*

25 Jan

ST* & AG*

30 PG Design students on environmental & sustainable issues Observing & discussing 81 UG students work.

Seminar discussions & critical feedback Critical discussions 2

Visit to notable architectural buildings in Colombo Independence square Parliament Gallery Caf Contemporary House Visits to archaeological sites Dambulla, Temples & Sigiriya, Kandy Museum, Dalada Maligawa & temples, Malwath & Godaladeniya Public lecture on sustainable architecture, thermal comfort, innovative construction material, Tsunami effects on Higher Education & e-learning based activities Meetings with varied persons (Prof Chandrakeerthy (UOM), Dr Ravinath Goonasekera (Mayor of Moratuwa) & Ralf . (Fosroc, Sri Lanka) Mr Thalgodapitiya (.. )., Mr Gratien Pieris ( State Engineering Corporation), Mr K Wijeyesekera ( Ceylon Hotels corporation) Presentation on the use of waterproofing liners for the use in irrigation and waterworks Presentation at Seminar on Solid Waste Management

26 Jan

ST* & AG*

Observing the colonial architecture

28, 29, 30 Jan

ST*, AG* & RW*

Observe ancient & traditional construction methods in Sri Lanka etc.

31 Jan TB*, ST*,DC*,SNF*, DS*, AG*, SF* at British Council (Colombo)

Series of presentations to an audience of 60+ consisting of professionals, graduates, technicians and school leavers.

PPT presentations, handouts on innovative materials, samples of landfill liner materials and manufactured aggregates.

1 Feb

DC** & SNF** at various locations

PPT presentations on introducing innovative structural waterproofing, landfill liners and manufactured aggregates

Publicity literature & sample products

2 Feb

DC* & SNF* at the Water Board, Ratmalana

PPT presentation on the introduction of waterproofing liners to Sri Lanka Presentation on landfill design

Publicity literature & sample products

2 Feb

DC* & SNF* at the Galadari Hotel Colombo

Public lecture on innovative construction materials and private meetings

3 Feb

Presentation on elearning based activities Lecture on Natures inspiration to sustainable architecture Visit to 2 eco-houses

14 Feb 15th Feb 16th Feb

DC* at British Council, Kandy, & with principals of Trinity College , Mahamaya Girls School, Kandy SF* to Learning Technology staff (10) at UEL** AG* at CAT** Wales ST*,AG*,SF*

Lecture and presentations to 20 + participants.

Input into a UNDP grant proposal for the development of an exemplar pilot landfill in the outskirts of Colombo. PPT presentations, handouts on innovative materials, samples of landfill liner materials and manufactured aggregates. Presentation & discussions PPT presentation & proactive discussion.

PPT and on line presentations Lecture to 40+ attendees on Unit A5 of MSc course Study of contemporary environmental house design Discussion on Environmental materials

Meeting with Tom Wooley^

17th Feb

AG*

^As referred to in original proposal 3

Lecture on achieving thermal comfort in condominiums warm humid climates Presentation on elearning based activities Visit to Harlech Castle

18th Feb

AG* at CAT** Wales

Lecture to 20+ attendees on Unit A6 of MSc course PPT and on line presentations Comparison of traditional & modern construction methods Observe source of building materials Discussing recent sustainable environmental projects PPT an on line presentations Discussions on how to proceed with further collaboration PPT presentation to 10 PG students and staff

Notes to students; PPT presentation & proactive discussion. Presentations & discussions with CAT** administrators & staff

16 Feb 18 Feb 18 Feb

SF* to staff at CAT**

ST*,AG*,SF*

Visit to slate mines Visit to large architectural offices in London Presentation on elearning based activities Meeting with Prof Roy Perryman Deputy Head of School, SCOT, UEL Seminar on nature studies & sustainable architecture Visit to contemporary building in London Presentation of elearning based activity

18 Feb 21 Feb

ST*,AG*,SF* ST*,AG*,SF*

21 Feb 21 Feb

SF* to 12 SCOT** staff at UEL** AG*, SF*, ST* & DC*

Presentations & discussions

22 Feb

22 Feb 22 Feb

AG* & ST*at Architecture and Visual Arts school (UEL**) ST*,AG* & SF* SF* at Simlab in UEL**

Presentation and discussions

Study contemporary designs of buildings On-line presentations

Discussions

Demonstration of on 23 Feb line continuous guidance and assessment of MSc Project Preparation of draft 23 Feb research papers and Draft final report Preparation of 23 Feb proposals for Curricula development Membership of Network 24 Feb for Comfort and Energy Use in Buildings (NCEUB) Has your link attracted funding from any other sources?

DC* & SF*

Demonstration

CD containing copies of the on line pages were given to SF* for adoption at UOM.

DC*,ST*,AG* & SF*

ST*, AG*

AG*

On line registration

As per original proposal

Amount: None (s sterling)

Source: None

Actual numbers in terms of participants and outputs the partnership has achieved during the projects lifetime: Training materials produced No: 5 Description: e-learning based material for 5 lectures Description 1. Environmental sustainable materials 2. Environmentally sensitive settlement design. Description: see section 3

Courses developed Workshops/seminars delivered

No: 2 No: 16

Number & gender of participants from link F 2 M 4 institutions Number & gender of staff trained from other F M institutions Number & gender of undergraduate/postF M 5+ 40+ graduate participants Number & gender of key personnel/professionals F M (external to the partnership institutions) trained A brief description of the economic sectors, organisations or community groups that participants represented where partnership activity involved training of external personnel or professionals: Introduced 2 course modules (Environmentally sensitive settlement design & Environmental materials) to the architecture and environmental studies program at University of Moratuwa. Lecture on Natures inspiration on sustainable concepts. Administration and training of lecturers to develop e-learning material Adoption of clay liners in landfill construction and structural water proofing. On line continuous guidance and assessment support for MSc projects

Further outputs/additional information about the partnerships achievements: Opportunity for procurement of on line (synchronous and asynchronous) video + subject content delivery platform The exchange has resulted in The preparation of 5 research papers for publication in refereed journals, with working titles viz; Knowledge transfer in architecture and environmental studies Deep learning in architecture and environmental studies Sustainable architecture in Sigiriya compared with other similar castles Assessment of Tsunami house type for thermal comfort. Compromising information systems security Submission of tenders to Sri Lankan environmental and structural projects to adopt UK manufactured clay liner products. Inspired staff and students to engage in collaborative research work in the field of sustainable design. Communication through e-learning methods of the course contents of nature studies & lectures given by Dr Simon Tucker 4. IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY Details of the impact the partnership has had concerning the sustainable development of the Sri Lankan institution(s), including details of curriculum, institutional, policy and human resource development. Public delivery of material dissemination of material to help Tsunami reconstruction through e-learning. Policy makers acceptance of on line mode of delivery Introduction to policy makers on the adoption of clay liners in landfill design. Two courses introduced to curriculum of architecture programme. Concepts are being developed for the publication of 5 papers. Exchange of knowledge on e-learning & environmental architecture

The benefits of the project to the UK institution(s) involved, and any impact the partnership has had on the UK institution(s), its curriculum, staff and/or students. Exchange of knowledge in E-learning & environmental architecture which has led to a new insight into the practice.

The impact on people, structures or systems outside of the institutions involved (eg. any effect on local communities, employers, and/or policy makers etc). An impact has been made through the environmental presentations of the necessity to use the Rawell clay liners in landfill and structural waterproofing projects in Sri Lanka.

Sustainability of project outputs after the ending of the partnership link funding and possibilities for future collaboration between the partners. Paper writing to be continued over the next 3 months. Potential research applications in the field of environmental aspects of buildings. Course modules communicated through e- learning Guest lectures vis staff exchange programmes UOM & UEL Split PhD research program for Mrs Arosh gamage, Postgraduate opportunities for UOM graduates. 5. HIGHLIGHTS AND FUTURE INITIATIVES Details of specific highlights/particular success stories from this partnership link which has led to further projects, wider initiatives and unexpected outputs. Developing a similar CAT ( Centre for Alternative Technology ) in Sri Lanka Exchange course curricular between the two Universities Architecture Schools. Nature Studies e-learning CAT Wales Environment sustainable materials Environmental sensitive settlements Supervision of split PhD students in e-learning and global e-security. 6. FUNDING Breakdown of expenditure incurred during the partnership link project, including any contributions from other sources. Item description Dates Partnership Links grant spent by SL partner (GBP) Partnership Links grant spent by UK partner (GBP) Other sources of funding (GBP)

Visit of SL staff to UK: Mrs Arosh Gamage

Return Flight to UK per diem

13th Feb to 24th Feb 06 13th Feb to 24th Feb 06 13th Feb to 24th Feb 06 13th Feb to 24th Feb 06

365.00

Mrs Arosh Gamage

940.00

Mr Shantha Fernando Mr Shantha Fernando Visit of UK staff to SL:

Return Flight to UK per diem

365.00

940.00

Prof D C Wijeyesekera

Preliminary meetings Flights, Travel& accommodation Return flight to Sri Lanka Accommodation and Local travel etc. Return flight to Sri Lanka Accommodation Travel costs for programme (in UK & Sri Lanka) Accommodation & local travel

25th Nov 05 to 30th Nov 05

1,000 (UEL)

Dr Simon Tucker Dr Simon Tucker

21st Jan 06 to 1st Feb 06 21st Jan 06 to 1st Feb 06 25th Jan 06 to 7th Feb 06 25th Jan 06 to 7th Feb 06 21st Jan 06 to 7th Feb (SL) and 13th Feb 06 to 21st Feb 06 (UK) 29th Jan 06 to 5th Feb

584.00 415.15

Prof D C Wijeyesekera Prof D C Wijeyesekera Prof D C Wijeyesekera

594.00 360.00 (UEL) 232.63 (DC) 284.50

Mr Steven Flynn Additional Activities: Mrs Arosh Gamage Totals:

400.00

50.19 (DC)

Workshop expenditure

79.00 2689.00 2277.65 1360.00 (UEL) 282.82 (DC)