As the new year begins, we take this opportunity to reflect on the significant role the CUFSAA community has played in enhancing both academics and research within the Science Faculty at the University of Colombo.
Last year, we achieved many milestones that made a significant impact on the Science Faculty. Here are some of the highlights:
- Establishing a New Synthetic Chemistry and Drug Discovery Research Laboratory at UoC ($40,000 to date): CUFSAA is providing financial support to establish a synthetic chemistry and drug discovery lab for the chemistry department. Phase 1 (civic work) of the project is almost complete, and Phase 2 (basic infrastructure) is in progress.
- Supporting Nanofabrication Research (Phase 1: $30,000): CUFSAA is supporting the establishment of a natural resources-based nanofabrication core facility in Sri Lanka. Phase 1 fundraising focuses on acquiring essential equipment for initial laboratory operations. The facility will launch with initial activities at the University of Colombo Physics Department, involving faculty from the University of Colombo and the University of Moratuwa, with planned participation from faculty and students across Sri Lankan universities.
- Enhancing Undergraduate Learning at the Physics Department ($23,800): Many fundamental lab experiments and equipment at physics department, such as the Zeeman effect experiment, e/m ratio determination, and Fabry-Perot interferometer, were no longer usable or repairable. CUFSAA was successful in purchasing and delivering new equipment to the Physics Department to continue these experiments and maintain the high academic standard.
- Launch Pad Student Grant Program ($12,960): CUFSAA continued its Launch Pad program, providing annual grants of $ 360 each, to science faculty students facing severe economic hardships. In 2025, grants were awarded to thirty-six students.
- High Performance Computer Workstations ($15,000): Recognizing the need for advanced computing in research areas such as computational materials, molecular dynamics, and bioinformatics, CUFSAA is raising $15,000 to purchase three (3) high-performance computers for the Physics and Plant Science Departments to enhance student learning and research capacity.
- UoC SciFac Student Laptop Loaner Program ($8,000): Computer Science is taken by almost all students (over 600 from level 1 & about 500 from level 2). UoC offers 4 CS courses in level 1 and 2, and computational techniques are embedded in many other faculty courses. Unfortunately, many students cannot afford to buy laptops and they don’t get the maximum benefit from the courses. CUFSAA has partnered with SciFac in establishing a Student Laptop Loaner Program with an initial pool of 20-25 laptops and make them available to students for specific activities (courses, exams, thesis, etc.). To-date, we have purchased 11 laptops to be sent to the science faculty via volunteers visiting Sri Lanka. A few of them have already been sent and donated to the science faculty. We welcome volunteers who are interested in taking one computer to the Science Faculty if you are visiting Sri Lanka in early 2026.
- Gold Medals and Scholarships: CUFSAA continued its gold medal(s) and scholarship(s) program which was established to honor former professors (Professor M.L.T. Kannangara, Professor Valentine Joseph, and Professor L.M.V. Tillekeratne) and awarded five scholarships and gold medals in 2025. A gold medal was also awarded for the special degree program in computational chemistry.
- Advancing Plant Science Research ($2,499): CUFSAA, together with PhotosynQ, donated the third MultispeQ V2.0 instrument to the Department of Plant Sciences, strengthening both research and teaching activities.
- Science Faculty Benevolent Fund: CUFSAA continued to provide immediate financial support for science faculty students and staff affected by floods and landslides and other emergency needs.
Special Note: Tamasha 2025 Reunion: The fourth reunion, held on August 30, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan, was a great success. Science Faculty graduates, alumni, staff, and well-wishers from across the US and Canada attended, fostering connection and community. CUFSAA was successful in raising funds for several ongoing projects and programs during this event.
For details, please visit https://www.cufsaa.com/activities/
To everyone who contributed during the past ten years, THANK YOU!
Your contributions have made a significant difference for the students, the faculty and staff of UoC and contributed to the advancement of scientific research.
To learn and support our ongoing projects, please visit https://www.cufsaa.com/donate/ or contact us at info@cufsaa.org.