The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon (IChemC) recently organised an open day for its 2025 intake as part of its enrollment campaign for this year.

The event was attended by President of IChemC, Prof. Janitha Liyanage, Acting Dean, Prof. Sriyanthi Deraniyagala, former Vice Chancellor of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Sudantha Liyanage, the senior academic, and administrative staff members of IChemC.

President, Prof. Liyanage welcomed the parents and students who attended the event with great enthusiasm, and Prof. Deraniyagala introduced the IChemC and briefed about its history and the role it has played in the development of Sri Lanka. Dr. Kushan Weerasiri, the coordinator of the enrollment campaign introduced the different degree & diploma programs that IChemC offers.

Addressing the audience, Prof. Sudantha Liyanage explained about the Sri Lanka Quality Frameworks (SLQF) and the importance of selecting an accredited degree programme in a well-recognized institute when pursuing higher education. Dr. Keerthi Attanayake, a senior lecturer of IChemC, further elaborated the value of the programmes that IChemC offers in chemistry and related fields, along with the opportunities available for chemists in Sri Lanka and overseas.

IChemC offers the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) honours in Chemical Science degree programme as an academic qualification with the recognition of University Grants Commission (UGC) of Sri Lanka, and the Graduateship in Chemistry (4 year) programme as a professional qualification with the recognition of Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), UK, which is also equivalent to a degree. IChemC also conducts B.Sc. honors in Biotechnology and B.Sc. honors in Chemical Technology degrees, which are awarded by the Kursk State Medical University of Russia.

In addition, the two year Diploma in Laboratory Technology (DLT) programme is offered through the Department of Applied Sciences at IChemC focusing on three avenues; the Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT), Clinical Laboratory Technology (CLT) and, Food and Materials Technology (FMT). All these diploma programmes offer the NVQ 6 qualifications to all diplomates at completion. IChemC also plans to offer a new B.Sc. honors degree program in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) with a world-class medical laboratory training, starting from the year 2026. The registrants of this year’s (2025) diploma programme will get an opportunity for a lateral entry into this new B.Sc. honors degree in MLS.

The event also included a chemistry magic show conducted by the students of IChemC, and concluded with a Q & A session regarding the enrollment. The open day was successful in providing vital knowledge about choosing the right career path, in addition to the information about different degree and diploma programs offered by IChemC. The registration for all the degree and diploma programs has now begun, and the programs are scheduled to begin in April, 2025.