The Faculty of Arts of the University of Jaffna organised the 3rd Undergraduate Research Symposium in Arts (URSA-2023) under the sphere of the Jaffna University International Conference (JUICE-2024) as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the University.

The theme of the symposium was ‘Survival and Protest amidst the Ongoing Crises in Sri Lanka’ and it was held on 18.01.2024.

The inaugural session was chaired by Prof. S. Raguram, Dean, Faculty of Arts, and was graced by Prof. S. Srisatkunarajah, the Vice Chancellor, as the Chief Guest. Mr. I. Shelvin, Retired Senior SLAS Officer, delivered the keynote address titled ‘In Search of an Education Rooted in the School of Thought Inherited by Tamils’.

The event was attended by a large number of academics from the University community and hundreds of students. Mr.E. Cumaran, the Editor-in-Chief presented the first copy of the Proceedings to the Chief Guest and the Keynote Speaker in the presence of Mr.K.L.Ramanan, the Convener of URSA-2023 and Mr.S.Nirosan, the Secretary of URSA-2023.

There were 136 student researchers presenting the results of their undergraduate research work. at 17 technical sessions and they had elaborate discussions under the following tracks;  Languages and Arts,  Philosophical Inquiries & Religions in Contemporary Society,  Climate Change and Environmental Issues,  Media and Society,  Politics and Society,  COVID Pandemic and Economic Crisis in Sri Lankan Society,  Heritage and Cultural Diversity,  Philosophical Inquiries & Religions in Contemporary Society,  Language and Language Teaching,  Health and Wellbeing & Social work,  Environment and Contemporary Social Issues,  Law and Politics in Sri Lanka,  History and Multiculturalism,  Heritage and Cultural Tourism and Linguistics and Translation 

The Organizing Committee of URSA-2023 worked in partnership with student associations for event management. Partners are as follows; 

Catering Partners-Young Economists’ Association

Front Office Management Partners – Translation Studies Students’ Association

Venue Management Partners -Geographical Society and Young Planners Society

Media Coverage Partners – Media Club of the Department of Media Studies

Logistic Partners– Students of the Department of Fine Arts and Department of Philosophy