As part of its development partnership with Sri Lanka in the field of higher education, the Government of India is undertaking a project to construct a Civil and Mechanical Engineering complex for the Faculty of Engineeringat the Kilinochchi Campus of the University of Jaffna, at a total cost of SLR 300 million. The project encompasses building construction as well as supply of equipment and furniture, in addition to training and curriculum development. The objective of the project is to create infrastructure facilities in order to provide a conducive learning environment for students, increase student intake, and enhance knowledge and skills of both lecturers and students. The project is being implemented in close consultation with the Ministry of Higher Education of Sri Lanka.

In this regard, following a process of competitive bidding, a contract to construct the building complex was signed on September 3, 2015 with M/s. Link Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd for SLR 256 million in the presence of Mr. Y.K. Sinha, High Commissioner of India; Mr. P. Ranepura, Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education of Sri Lanka; Prof. VasanthyArasaratnam, Vice Chancellor, University of Jaffna; Prof. K. Kandasamy, Professor of Physics, University of Jaffna; Mr. Rajavishagan, Deputy Registrar, University of Jaffna; and other officials of the Government of Sri Lanka. The building work includes construction of four blocks with court yard and entrance lobby.

The procurement of equipment and furniture, and training and curriculum development activities, will be taken up subsequently with the remaining SLR 44 million.
Construction of buildings as well as provision of equipment and furniture will be completed within a period of one year, and project implementation will be jointly monitored by the High Commission and the Ministry of Higher Education of Sri Lanka.

Government of India is also assisting in the establishment of a Centre for Skill Development for the Faculty of Agriculture at the Kilinochchi Campus of the University of Jaffna, and the contract for that project was signed on August 11, 2015.

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4 September 2015