The inauguration ceremony of the “Certificate Course on Nonviolent Communication and Media” was held virtually on the 20th of August 2022 from 0800 to 0900 hours.

The course was ceremoniously inaugurated with the Vice-Chancellor Major General Milinda Peiris RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc gracing the occasion as the chief guest. The inaugural event was participated by approximately 70 other guests including Prof. KAS Dhammika, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Ms. Himali Jinadasa, the Country Focal Point for Sri Lanka at the UNESCO Cluster Office for Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Dr. Priyan Seneviratne representing the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mr. Kithsiri Amaratunga, Dean of the Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, Deans of other Faculties, Directors, Heads of Departments, Senior Academics, Senior Military Officers, the Panel of Lecturers of the Certificate Course, Project Consultants, Project and Course Coordinators, and a diverse group of course participants from a variety of fields, including media and journalism, news production, law enforcement, the military, medicine, engineering, banking and students from a variety of disciplines. The event was organized by the Department of Social Sciences (FMSH) and co-funded by the UNDP and European Union (EU). Following the conclusion of the inauguration ceremony, the first lecture of the course commenced immediately after a short break at 0910 hours.

The certificate programme in NVC and Media is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, and it consists of a series of lectures delivered by a distinguished panel of highly qualified academics. The course teaches authentic and deep communication skills and the importance of active listening, empathy, respect for others, and tolerance. This year’s course attracted over a thousand applicants, demonstrating that there is a large unmet demand for this new educational pathway of early prevention through nonviolent communication. The Department of Social Sciences takes pride in being able to continue disseminating knowledge to the important domain of nonviolent communication and responsible and ethical use of media, which is intrinsically interwoven with peace and harmony and thus with  the national security as well. Further, KDU is pleased to be able to provide this course free of charge for the second consecutive year, making much-needed knowledge and training available to all, regardless of financial capability.