History of the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Initially, Postgraduate degrees were being offered by the respective faculties of the University of Jaffna. In this context, the need for a Faculty of Graduate Studies to offer postgraduate studies, especially research studies in various disciplines, was greatly felt. In November 1988, the University of Jaffna submitted a proposal to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for the establishment of a Faculty of Graduate Studies.

The UGC considered the matter at its 253rd meeting held on 15/12/1988 but decided that establishing the Faculty at that moment was unnecessary. However, during the University’s Silver Jubilee year, efforts to expand and improve academic programs continued. The demand for postgraduate studies was ever-increasing and, in certain disciplines, could not be met. Existing faculties were unable to manage both postgraduate and undergraduate studies due to heavy academic workloads.

In this context, the Senate, at its 222nd meeting held on 26/01/1999, and the Council, at its 224th meeting held on 30/01/1999, recommended requesting the UGC again to establish the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The UGC, at its meeting held on 11/06/1999, approved the establishment of the Faculty based on Ordinance No. 3 of 1987 under University Act No. 48 A(1). Thus, the Faculty of Graduate Studies was established as the fifth Faculty of the University of Jaffna in 1999.

Initially, the Faculty functioned from a rented house with limited facilities in front of the main entrance of the University. Teaching for taught programs was conducted in lecture halls of the Faculties of Arts, Management Studies & Commerce, and Science. From 2014, the Faculty moved to its own building near the main campus of the University of Jaffna in Thirunelvely. The land for the building was donated in memory of Mr. Namasivayam Sivasupramanium and Mrs. Maheswary Sivakolunthu-Sivasupramanium by their children.