K. D. Arulpragasam
| Professor K. D. Arulpragasam | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1st Vice-Chancellor of the Eastern University, Sri Lanka | |
|
In office 1986–1989 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 September 1931 |
| Died |
7 August 2003 (aged 71) Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Alma mater |
S. Thomas' College St. John's College Hartley College Ananda College University of Ceylon University of Wales University of Southampton |
| Profession | Academic |
| Ethnicity | Sri Lankan Tamil |
Professor Kandiah David Arulpragasam (16 September 1931 – 7 August 2003) was a Sri Lankan Tamil academic. He was the first vice-chancellor of Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
Early life and family
Arulpragasam was born on 16 September 1931.[1] He was educated at the S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, St. John's College, Jaffna, Hartley College and Ananda College.[2] After school he joined the University of Ceylon, Colombo from where he graduated with BSc degree in zoology.[1] He then went to the UK for postgraduate studies.[2] He gained a Phd in marine zoology from the University of Wales.[1] He then did post-doctoral training in oceanography at the University of Southampton.[1]
Arulpragasam never married but lived with his brother (Arulanantham) and sister-in-law (Padma).[1]
Career
Arulpragasam joined the Department of Zoology at the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, becoming Professor of Zoology in 1973.[3] He was Dean of the Faculty of Science for a couple of years.[1]
Arulpragasam was appointed Director of Batticaloa University College in April 1985.[4] The college was given full university status in October 1986 and Arulpragasam became its first vice-chancellor.[2][4]
In October 1996 Arulpragasam was appointed Vice Chairman (Planning) of the second National Education Commission.[5][6] He was chairman of the Central Environmental Authority and First Associate Director of the Institute of Fundamental Studies.[3] He was also a member of the University Grants Commission and the Governing Council of the National Aquatic Research and Resources Development Authority.[3][6] He was president of the National Academy of Sciences between 1995 and 1997.[7]
Death
Arulpragasam died in Colombo on 7 August 2003.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fonseka, Carlo (14 September 2003). "Obituary: Dr. Kandiah David Arulpragasam (1931 – 2003) (I)". The Island (Sri Lanka).
- 1 2 3 4 "Ex Vice-Chancellor of Eastern University dies". TamilNet. 8 August 2003.
- 1 2 3 "Death of Prof. K. D. Arulpragasam". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 11 August 2003.
- 1 2 "About EUSL". Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
- ↑ "Previous Commissions". National Education Commission.
- 1 2 de Mel, Tara (14 September 2003). "Appreciation: Prof. K. D. Arulpragasam (II)". The Island (Sri Lanka).
- ↑ "Directory of Fellows of the Academy". National Academy of Sciences.