Hidden factors in student clashes in UoM
Introduction
Last 19th December, 2007 there was a clash between two student groups in UoM and Engineering faculty was closed. In 2006 in October there was another.To find the reasons for these fights, a small research was conducted & interesting facts were discovered. Here is small review of it.
Origin of Colombo and Outsiders Groups
In most of universities, there are two main groups. It may be JVP and UNP or Raggers and Anti-Raggers. But in UoM case is different. In Engineering faculty there is a division as Colombo and Outsiders. (In UoC Medical faculty also have the same scenario, but they do not fight). This division is only on Engineering faculty, because all other faculties have ragging. But in UoM ragging is not inside, it may be warm welcome at boarding places by seniors. At that welcome at least very few ragging part may come to screen. Then the oiling part begins and puts seniors’ ideas to fresher’s fresh heads. Because this welcome was done by major two groups separately, the fresher select the side which he was welcome. This continues division. But real tricky part is why they divide as Colombo and Outsiders. The found answer was very interesting. There was a news that saying most people in ENTC is belongs to Colombo group. So how it happens? How the Colombo people jump to best GPA department very easily? To find the answer for this question we have to analyze deep facts of the case. What is the specialty in Colombo group? How do they overtake others who have very good rank in AL in other districts? So what is the core of this problem? The core is simple; the actual two groups are people who come from home and people who come from boarding places. Most people belong to Colombo group come to University from home. Now case is little clear. The people who come from boarding places do not anymore have environment which they used to over come the AL. But in the other group’s side there is not any change. The people who come from boarding places have to adopt new environment. It may take at least one year. But then the department selecting examinations are over. Now is clear why do they divide as Colombo and Other. Until 2007, the Tamil students have not divided in such groups. But from 2007, they also divided as Colombo and Others.
Reasons for Clashes
One day one of my teacher asked a question from the class. He asked to raise the hand that have goal in life. Our teacher got a very amazing answer. Only about 20 of 100 raised their hands. That implies most of us have no idea what they are doing. They did AL in mathematics, because some one has asked to do it or some one has told them mathematic stream is the best.Then they came to UoM and put the field selection thinking as EN best, CS next and EE Next etc. But they never think what the most suitable field for them is. Is not it running after trend? It is big trend. But they do not know what they are doing and they do not have clear target to achieve. So students in UoM have floating minds. But if some one has started some then all others can be attracted to it because it is giving goal to others. Then all others think; now they have mission (but not a vision) and they can do something. This is a propagation of a fight. Another case is boarding life makes strong relationship between students. Because they are living away from home, students in boarding act as a family like feelings. So if some body get hit all the boarding set to fight. The reason three is the lack of experience. That is why the level-one students started this time fight. Because they do not know much about UoM and also do not know flying brick-halves or 2”x2” bars can not be used to solve problems. Another fact is flexibility. Why can not we listen to others’ ideas? If somebody wants to take leadership, that person must have plans which are extremely clever. Being clever is not put others ideas to dust bin. But if somebody is clever enough, that person can climb up, all others know who the best is and who should climb up. But if somebody pretends as clever but actually not clever enough can make problems. If you are the best then do not worry about rest. Highly loaded academic system also built pressure to students’ heads. No vacations increases built up pressure. When a small clash started, those pressures inside their heads affect them even with out their knowledge.
Prevent Clashes
Problems and arguments can be occurred between in any groups. But the most important thing is the way they are solving. As engineering students, we should have proper ways other than Stone Age ways like face to face fighting. First thing is they should learn to respect others’ ideas and face problems in flexible way. Next thing is they should find a goal for their life. Teachers can be really helpful in this issue. The people who have goals should find a mission and vision to conquer their goals. Especially level-1 students should be learnt what they are doing and they should pick up goals if they have not it already. People who have goals would not waist their time, because they know the value of time. Another point is mentoring and soft skill development programs. There are designed to build an engineer who is required by industry. But these should be extended to design a person with good qualities.
Conclusion
The most important thing is it should be identified the value of UoM which is the best technical university in Sri Lanka. We should also remember that whole country is paying for facilities which we have in UoM. Also UoM engineering students should consider about their responsibilities. Imagine, from a small invention in engineering side can turn Sri Lanka in to developed country. Because engineering designs are mechanical designed which have huge market in whole world. As an engineering student, my point of view is, we should take maximum benefit and usage of the facilities we have and bring something to world, before it is too late.
P.S. Special thanks goes every one to do this research and I am strongly against ragging in what ever type.
Last 19th December, 2007 there was a clash between two student groups in UoM and Engineering faculty was closed. In 2006 in October there was another.To find the reasons for these fights, a small research was conducted & interesting facts were discovered. Here is small review of it.
Origin of Colombo and Outsiders Groups
In most of universities, there are two main groups. It may be JVP and UNP or Raggers and Anti-Raggers. But in UoM case is different. In Engineering faculty there is a division as Colombo and Outsiders. (In UoC Medical faculty also have the same scenario, but they do not fight). This division is only on Engineering faculty, because all other faculties have ragging. But in UoM ragging is not inside, it may be warm welcome at boarding places by seniors. At that welcome at least very few ragging part may come to screen. Then the oiling part begins and puts seniors’ ideas to fresher’s fresh heads. Because this welcome was done by major two groups separately, the fresher select the side which he was welcome. This continues division. But real tricky part is why they divide as Colombo and Outsiders. The found answer was very interesting. There was a news that saying most people in ENTC is belongs to Colombo group. So how it happens? How the Colombo people jump to best GPA department very easily? To find the answer for this question we have to analyze deep facts of the case. What is the specialty in Colombo group? How do they overtake others who have very good rank in AL in other districts? So what is the core of this problem? The core is simple; the actual two groups are people who come from home and people who come from boarding places. Most people belong to Colombo group come to University from home. Now case is little clear. The people who come from boarding places do not anymore have environment which they used to over come the AL. But in the other group’s side there is not any change. The people who come from boarding places have to adopt new environment. It may take at least one year. But then the department selecting examinations are over. Now is clear why do they divide as Colombo and Other. Until 2007, the Tamil students have not divided in such groups. But from 2007, they also divided as Colombo and Others.
Reasons for Clashes
One day one of my teacher asked a question from the class. He asked to raise the hand that have goal in life. Our teacher got a very amazing answer. Only about 20 of 100 raised their hands. That implies most of us have no idea what they are doing. They did AL in mathematics, because some one has asked to do it or some one has told them mathematic stream is the best.Then they came to UoM and put the field selection thinking as EN best, CS next and EE Next etc. But they never think what the most suitable field for them is. Is not it running after trend? It is big trend. But they do not know what they are doing and they do not have clear target to achieve. So students in UoM have floating minds. But if some one has started some then all others can be attracted to it because it is giving goal to others. Then all others think; now they have mission (but not a vision) and they can do something. This is a propagation of a fight. Another case is boarding life makes strong relationship between students. Because they are living away from home, students in boarding act as a family like feelings. So if some body get hit all the boarding set to fight. The reason three is the lack of experience. That is why the level-one students started this time fight. Because they do not know much about UoM and also do not know flying brick-halves or 2”x2” bars can not be used to solve problems. Another fact is flexibility. Why can not we listen to others’ ideas? If somebody wants to take leadership, that person must have plans which are extremely clever. Being clever is not put others ideas to dust bin. But if somebody is clever enough, that person can climb up, all others know who the best is and who should climb up. But if somebody pretends as clever but actually not clever enough can make problems. If you are the best then do not worry about rest. Highly loaded academic system also built pressure to students’ heads. No vacations increases built up pressure. When a small clash started, those pressures inside their heads affect them even with out their knowledge.
Prevent Clashes
Problems and arguments can be occurred between in any groups. But the most important thing is the way they are solving. As engineering students, we should have proper ways other than Stone Age ways like face to face fighting. First thing is they should learn to respect others’ ideas and face problems in flexible way. Next thing is they should find a goal for their life. Teachers can be really helpful in this issue. The people who have goals should find a mission and vision to conquer their goals. Especially level-1 students should be learnt what they are doing and they should pick up goals if they have not it already. People who have goals would not waist their time, because they know the value of time. Another point is mentoring and soft skill development programs. There are designed to build an engineer who is required by industry. But these should be extended to design a person with good qualities.
Conclusion
The most important thing is it should be identified the value of UoM which is the best technical university in Sri Lanka. We should also remember that whole country is paying for facilities which we have in UoM. Also UoM engineering students should consider about their responsibilities. Imagine, from a small invention in engineering side can turn Sri Lanka in to developed country. Because engineering designs are mechanical designed which have huge market in whole world. As an engineering student, my point of view is, we should take maximum benefit and usage of the facilities we have and bring something to world, before it is too late.
P.S. Special thanks goes every one to do this research and I am strongly against ragging in what ever type.