Welcome to the Centre for Distance and Continuing Education (CDCE) of the University of Vavuniya.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to a Centre that is dedicated to expanding educational opportunities and promoting lifelong learning for individuals from all walks of life. Established in 2023 under the University Grants Commission Circular No. 932, the Centre for Distance and Continuing Education serves as an important platform for delivering flexible, accessible, and high-quality educational programmes that respond to the evolving needs of society, industry, and the national economy.
At CDCE, we believe that education should not be limited by age, location, or professional commitments. Our mission is to empower learners through innovative and inclusive educational opportunities that enhance knowledge, develop practical skills, and foster personal and professional growth. We are committed to creating pathways that enable learners to achieve their academic aspirations while contributing meaningfully to their careers, communities, and the nation’s development.
Our Centre offers a wide range of Certificate, Diploma, and External Degree programmes that are designed to meet contemporary academic standards and the changing demands of the labour market. These programmes are developed in collaboration with the academic faculties of the University and industry stakeholders to ensure relevance, quality, and employability. We continuously strive to introduce new programmes that address emerging fields and support the development of a skilled and competitive workforce.
As we embrace digital transformation in higher education, CDCE is committed to adopting modern teaching methodologies, educational technologies, and learner-centred approaches that make learning more flexible, interactive, and accessible. Our dedicated academic and administrative teams work together to provide a supportive learning environment where every learner is encouraged to succeed.
Looking ahead, we envision CDCE as a leading centre for continuing education, professional development, and community engagement in Sri Lanka. Through strong partnerships with government institutions, industries, professional bodies, and local communities, we aspire to expand educational access, promote innovation, and contribute to sustainable regional and national development.
I warmly invite you to explore the opportunities offered by the Centre for Distance and Continuing Education. Whether you are seeking to enhance your professional qualifications, develop new competencies, or pursue higher education, CDCE is here to support your learning journey.
Together, let us embrace lifelong learning, inspire innovation, and build a knowledgeable, skilled, and resilient society.
I look forward to welcoming you to the University of Vavuniya and to being part of your journey towards academic excellence and professional success.
Director of CDCE
T.P: 0242223910
The Higher Diploma in English (HDE) extension program was initiated by the Department of English Language Teaching of the Faculty of Business Studies to extend its academic activities to the public. The need for the new curriculum development of the extension programmes in English is felt indispensable since implementing the SLQF standards fulfilling national and international standards.
A curriculum development committee was formed, and it analyzed stakeholders' requirements and job opportunities. Hence, the new curricula of the extension programmes were carefully developed to meet the recommendation of the curriculum revision and development committee. As a result, the syllabi and the entry requirements were developed on par with the present semester system with fifteen credits per semester. This two-year program is conducted with the optional exit points at the first semester of the first year (Advanced Certificate) and at the end of the first year (Diploma).
The country requires more professionals in the field of English for regional and national development. This English program will increase the employability among the graduates and A/L Education Qualification holders. The higher diploma holders will have high opportunities to find jobs or promote the employed with sufficient competing skills.
Two Years (Part Time)
Mrs. Sarmatha Priyatharshan
Senior Lecturer Gr II
Department of English Language Teaching (DELT),
Faculty of Business Studies,
University of Vavuniya.
Contact No: 077 415 7414
Sri Lanka has Early Childhood Development Standards (ECDS) for three to five-year olds; an essential starting place for quality. However, their acceptance and application as a resource by teachers, parents, and all adults who contribute to children’s education are selective. After the evaluation of the preschool education system, the NEC has recommended policies on Policy Development for quality in preschool education.
Further, it has been reported that Sri Lanka’s patchwork of preschool education standards, curricula, and administration systems has resulted in poor or mediocre learning that fails many children and prevents them from realizing their full potential. A coordinated effort is therefore needed to ensure that the Early Childhood Development Standards (ECDS) are implemented nationwide so that all early childhood children have an equal opportunity to develop the skills and competencies that will prepare them for school life and beyond.
The diploma program at the University of Vavuniya is based on a conceptual framework of current theory and contemporary perspectives. Diploma in Early Childhood Education gives preschool teachers the tools and skills to make an impact in the lives of early childhood learners. Fostering a love of learning in children under the age of five can set them up for success throughout their entire educational journey. Beyond learning academics, early childhood education focuses on social and emotional development and helps early childhood minds to develop a positive outlook on education. This diploma course is designed based on the National Early Childhood Development Standards, which have been prepared as a national curriculum.
15 Months (Part Time)
Dr. S. Shamugathasan
Academic Coordinator,
Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Tel: 077 758 9702
There is a lack of learning opportunities for Physical Education (PE) teachers, coaches, sports officers, and trainers of many sports in Sri Lanka regarding Sport Education. Among these professionals, PE teachers and coaches face difficulties in achieving higher education qualifications.
The University of Vavuniya (UOV) recognizes the importance of offering sport-related courses to disseminate knowledge to school coaches, physical education teachers, trainers, sports officers, and district sports officers in the area. This will, in turn, have economic and social impacts on the country—specifically in the region—by increasing employment, promoting national unity, encouraging public physical activity, enhancing community relations, and reducing youth crime and healthcare costs.
UOV held a discussion on 29th July 2022 with relevant stakeholders and experts, which revealed a high demand for sport-related education programmes at regional, national, and transitional levels. With access to infrastructure such as a new 400m ground and fully equipped gym, and with sufficient academic staff, UOV is well-positioned to deliver this program. A 20-credit curriculum has been developed by a group of lecturers from the University of Vavuniya and Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka to fulfill regional and national requirements.
The aim of the course is to train and educate efficient PE teachers, sports coaches, trainers, and physical training instructors actively engaged in the field. It targets PE teachers and sports trainers in schools and training colleges, specializing in Physical Education and Sports Training.
After completing the course, students will be able to:
Six Months (Part Time)
Mr. R. Sivasegaran
Course Coordinator
Advanced Certificate in Sports Coaching and Physical Education
Tel: 076 743 8318
The proposed certificate course aims at providing a greater learning opportunity for young budding journalists, journalists already working for established media, potential future journalists, and digital media enthusiasts to widen their professional competency in the fundamentals of digital media consumption.
The course offers a holistic understanding of a wide range of subjects such as media operations in a convergence setting, globally accepted media standards, media ownership, digital media and radicalization, hate speech, media ethics, critical consumption techniques, digital media applications, the complex nature of the media landscape, information falsehood, verification skills, disinformation identification, news literacy basics, agenda setting, and media bias.
Increasing media polarization and misinformation demand journalists to operate with responsibility, responsiveness, and accountability in their profession.
Six Months (Part Time)
Mrs. S. Mathivathany
Academic Coordinator
Advanced Certificate in Media Literacy and Journalism
Tel: 077 340 0992
Creating new entrepreneurs at this juncture of the Sri Lankan economy is a dire requirement, as more of them are important to market economies such as Sri Lanka due to multiple reasons. Entrepreneurs act as the wheels of economic growth in the country, creating wealth and improving social standards. By gaining entry to the market with their innovative ideas and clear goals, new entrepreneurs can immensely help accelerate economic development.
The University of Vavuniya intends to introduce a Certificate Course on Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management to equip students for the future, since the impact of the crisis in our lives is increasing in various needs and wants. This certificate program is mostly targeted at school leavers (Grade 9 or above), because entrepreneurship education teaches essential life skills such as innovative problem-solving, resolving real-world challenges, and teamwork.
Furthermore, entrepreneurship education has emerged as a demanding subject to be mastered by young students. As jobs become more limited due to factors such as technological advancements and population growth, entrepreneurship stands out as a significant and empowering career option among the current generation.
Six Months (Part Time)
Mr. P. Sasitharan
Course Coordinator
Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
Tel: 077 468 3308
The programme’s main focus is to develop the competencies of women by empowering and building capacity in politics, with the aim of improving relevant knowledge and skills and providing training for women who are aspiring to get involved energetically in politics.
Therefore, the women’s main focus on a career in politics and decision-making organizations is two-fold: acquiring competency in politics and development planning and management, and acquiring competency in the disciplines of Empowerment, Leadership, Democracy, and Governance.
The aim of this programme is “to provide women with a wide range of knowledge and the ability to effectively manage development programs with good governance in politics”. The country requires more professional women in the fields of rural, urban, regional, and national development. This Advanced Certificate in Empowering Women in Politics (ACEWP) will increase the employability of women in educational organizations and communities. The certificate holders will have high opportunities to find jobs or gain promotions with sufficient competitive skills.
Six Months (Part Time)
Mrs. S. Mathivathany
Academic Coordinator
Advanced Certificate in Empowering Women in Politics (ACEWP)
Tel: 077 340 0992
