As I noted in my earlier blog entry, today, engaging a group of 10 intelligent University of Moratuwa, Faculty of
Architecture, Department of Architecture, First and Second Year Students in a
general discussion about their project and their intended profession, all
detailed in the previous blog entry, I will concentrate on the final matter
that I challenged them on, just before departing.
I made the direct charge that even these
Sinhala Speaking Students, (I had my whole half hour discussion in Sinhala)
would once they have qualified as Architects, very enthusiastic and intelligent
males and females among them, that “50% would be living and working
overseas in 5 years!”
They all, in UNISON refuted my charge, saying
they will never leave. I said please remember what I told you today, in 5 years,
and wonder why I made that charge.
I said, you will find that all your
enthusiasm and hope you have displayed today, with me about your esteemed
profession, where you WANT to make a difference in the lives of the people of Sri
Lanka, to design and build, well -constructed, aesthetically pleasing,
utilitarian buildings, using the best value for money materials for the
purposes it is intended, and be mighty proud - you will instead find too many
BARRIERS TO YOUR WISHES.
That is what will drive you outside
these shores in frustration as the opportunities that open up for you as
architects in other countries MAY be better and far too enticing, than
available at home.
If you want that expectation or
prediction NOT to be true, then it is up to you to change the system. You
agreed that an attitude change is required in Sri Lanka today, well then it is
up to you to make that change, as it is the Youth who can collectively demand
that change from society. Not by bearing arms, but by persuasion of argument
and force of numbers, all speaking with the same voice.
You have to be united on your purpose,
and not allow your detractors to divide you in your goal. You can then succeed
beyond all our expectation and we may not be alive to see that happen, as we
are on our way out, while you are just getting yourself firmly set in your
foundation.
Take the challenge, don’t just agitate
for useless demands put on you by others who don’t represent you. Make your own
demand for change, you will win!
FOR THE DETAIL REGARDING THE DISCUSSION THAT WAS THE PRE CURSOR TO THIS BLOG ENTRY BELOW IS THE LINK TO THE LENGTHY AND ANIMATED DISCUSSION WHICH IF READ IN ITS ENTIRETY WOULD BE EXTREMELY USEFUL TO AN ARCHITECTURE STUDENT IN SRI LANKA
http://kalpanakaranna.blogspot.com/2018/02/university-of-moratuwa-faculty-of_85.html
FOR THE DETAIL REGARDING THE DISCUSSION THAT WAS THE PRE CURSOR TO THIS BLOG ENTRY BELOW IS THE LINK TO THE LENGTHY AND ANIMATED DISCUSSION WHICH IF READ IN ITS ENTIRETY WOULD BE EXTREMELY USEFUL TO AN ARCHITECTURE STUDENT IN SRI LANKA
http://kalpanakaranna.blogspot.com/2018/02/university-of-moratuwa-faculty-of_85.html
5 comments:
100% agreed……
how will they migrate if they don't speak English? your barriers comment is true, and it's a shame that the onus is on these young people to create an environment where they can thrive with their new knowledge and talents. It's the only way forward, however, so good luck!
Has language ever been a barrier to Sri Lankans? Remember they are first year students, who understand English as their subjects are taught in English and books are in English. I was discussing the Spanish Architect Gaudi with them, which I failed to note on my blog, and they had heard about him and I said I had used his designs on my door and window designs and how they actually blend in with the local design!
Don't worry once they go through their internship in English they will become proficient, though at present like most with a limited knowledge don't like to speak, for fear of making mistakes, another of our bad habits where some make fun of their grammar instead of encouraging their attempts
By voting for the BUD the people clearly have voted with their feet for a divisive agenda that hates foreigners and minorities.
Clearly Sri Lanka has NO future for foreigners and minorities. So they will move out, minorities who live here, and run their Sri Lankan companies from overseas, and no new foreign investment will move in, and so so locally capable people will have NO openings because there is no faith in the economy. They will also go overseas, leaving a country full of racist people who cannot work, and don't want to work, that is the chosen path for Sri Lanka, and if they are happy with that thats fine too. Just don't complain they have no development, it will not happen.
Anyone who can do any work will leave the island
If the foreign credit rating drops and the interest rates rise on debt, the best option then is to default and close the borders and live on rats and mice, that is the choice of the people after all.
Very important article - And agree 100% with you - There are too many barriers here - But bringing them down will be very difficult since there are many who use these barriers for their gain.
Learning another language is not a barrier. A colleague of mine at freshman year knew only Sinhala. Later he did his Masters in Denmark and his PhD in Japan. Now conversant in many languages. These guys are smart. But not smart enough to bring down the barriers.
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