A Sri Lankan educationalist, P.M.N. Bandara, who has been working in the University of Papua New Guinea (PNG) for over 14 years has been nominated by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology of Papua New Guinea for Independence Day Awards in 2017, in appreciation of his valuable contributions to develop the university education sector in that country.
We met Bandara during a recent visit to Sri Lanka. Bandara left for Papua New Guinea in 2001, following sabbatical leave.
“I was looking for an overseas opportunity and got two offers; one from Starling University of London at the Dubai Branch and the other from the University of Papua New Guinea as a lecturer in Accounting. I picked Papua New Guinea, as I thought it was a better opportunity,” he said, in an interview with the Sunday Observer.
But, this opportunity was also a challenging one; he started working as a lecturer in Accountancy and was later promoted as Senior Lecturer and Head of Accounting Division of the School of Business and Public Policy, University of Papua New Guinea.
When he took up the job initially, he soon realised that the education system in that country needed a lot of support. The University of Papua New Guinea was founded in 1965. But, he felt the university system lacked maturity. There were major issues, such as, insufficient educational materials and a proper syllabus for university students. “They lacked text books. The students entering the university were not competent enough to go through the university system; comparatively, their knowledge on general issues was limited,” he adds.
However, these shortcomings created an opportunity for Bandara. “I started compiling educational material. This was a huge task and a fulfilling experience. Most of the accounting educational material available there now are my creations,” he says.
Today, Bandara takes pride in being the key person for compiling university text books on Accountancy in Papua New Guinea. He is easily recognized by people of all walks of life there, as a writer and a lecturer. “This has given me a sense of pride, because I have been able to add value to their system and help a generation of young people, thanks to my educational and professional background in Sri Lanka,” Bandara said.
Bandara has contributed immensely to the development of the education sector, particularly accounting education within the university system of that country for the last 14 years. He has written five accounting books, two economics books and two business studies books for the use of secondary schools, universities, technical and business colleges and other private training institutions. The books written for secondary schools have been approved as text books by the Department of Education. One of the books is used by the National University of Solomon Islands, as a recommended text.
Over the years, he has designed and taught various accounting courses from first to final year, and post graduate programs. He has also revised their 10-year old Bachelor of Accounting and Bachelor of Banking and Finance program to suit global developments in accounting education. In addition, he has designed new degree programs to cater to the public sector accounting staff in collaboration with the Department of Finance, and has negotiated with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accounting (CIPFA) UK, to accredit the Bachelor of Public Finance and Accountancy program. “As a result of these negotiations, Accounting lecturers were able to get the Associate Membership of the Institute,” he said.
He was also able to negotiate with accounting firms, such as, KPMG, PWC, Deloitte, and Ernst & Young, to place accounting students on internships.
As a member of Certified Practising Accountants, PNG (CPA), he has been taking part in professional development programs by writing resource books, preparing exams, coaching students and serving in review panels.
Bandara also serves in the governing council/ academic advisory committees of Port Moresby Business College and Goroka Technical College.
Considering his status in society, in Papua New Guinea, the Sri Lanka High Commission in Australia has nominated Bandara for the post of Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Papua New Guinea.
When he was in Sri Lanka, Bandara held senior positions, such as, Director, International Co-operation Division, Deputy Accountant and Senior Assistant Accountant of the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka.
- Chandani