Diploma in Conflict Resolution Programme

Diploma in Conflict Resolution: Skills Development
Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies Programme

General Regulations for the Diploma in Conflict Resolution: Skills Development Programme (hereinafter referred to and called as the Programme)

1.01 Eligibility for Admissions

In order to be eligible for admission to this Programme, a person must have previously satisfied admission requirements specified in the brochure. Under special circumstances the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (hereinafter referred to and called as the BCIS) may grant an exemption from these requirements.

2.01 Application for Enrolment

Application for admission will be called twice a year (June and November). In exceptional circumstances the BCIS may stipulate any other period for this purpose. Publicity will be given by notices in the national media stipulating the period within which applications will be entertained in respect of each intake. The BCIS may send invitations to the government departments to submit the names of officials who are eligible to follow the Diploma. Such nominees who posses the eligibility criteria as stipulated in the brochure, or nominees who could be admitted under special consideration must sent in formal applications to the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies (hereinafter referred to and called as the Department), BCIS within the stipulated time frame.

Every application for admission must be made on the prescribed form obtained from the BCIS or through the electronic version obtained from the BCIS web page followed by a hard copy.

Each application will be evaluated by a committee which consists of the Director, Head of the Department and the Programme Coordinator/Officer of the BCIS.

3.01 Registration

3.01.1 Enrolment for the Programme
The selected persons (hereinafter referred and called as Participants) will be enrolled for the Programme on full payment of the course fee. However under special circumstances the Director and the Head of the Department may grant permission for payment of course fee in not more than two instalments to government institutes. In case of any deserving individual/s the Director and the Head of the Department may grant special permission to pay the course fee in not more than two instalments.

For the enrolment purposes the Participants are required to submit two stamp size photographs black and white or colour obtained within the last three months. Participants should obtain the BCIS Identity Card prior to the commencement of the Programme.

3.01.2 Programme schedule will be available for the Participants at the beginning of the course and the Department may amend the same from time to time and notify the Participants of such amendments in advance.

3.01.3 Withdrawal from a programme and Re-admission
The BCIS strongly advice Participants to not to withdraw from the programme they enrolled. However if a Participant chooses to withdraw from the Programme he/she may do so by submitting a letter to the Head of the Department stating the exigency of such requirement. In case of nominees from the government departments and other institutions should send such requests through the officer who nominated him/her for the Programme. If the Participant wishes to continue studies at the subsequent Programme it should be stated in the letter referred to above. The Department with the approval of the Director and the Board of Academic Affairs may consider the request made and allow a participant to join the subsequent Programme. In such a situation the BCIS may ask the Participant/Institute or Department to pay 50% of the amount paid as course fee at the time of registration. Under no circumstances a Participant will be allowed to join a future Programme.

In any eventuality if a Participant chooses to withdraw from a Programme the BCIS shall not refund full or part payment of the course fee.

3.01.4 Programme of study
The Programme of study shall be five (05) months class room sessions and additional one (01) month for the completion of Final Project Report. The class room sessions are interactive and participatory and involve group work therefore Participants are required to attend all sessions and involve in class room discussions. Participants are also required to attend the public forums, seminars, workshops and roundtable discussion organized by the Department.

3.01.5 Minimum/maximum number of students per programme
There shall be minimum of 25 and maximum of 40 Participants per Programme. The Department shall have the discretion on consultation with the Director to determine the number of Participants per each Programme.

4.01 Board of Studies

Board of Academic Affairs is comprised of the Director of the BCIS, two representatives from the Council of Management of the BCIS, the Head of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies and the Programme Coordinator/Officer Department of Peace and Conflict Studies.

4.02 Evaluation Scheme
4.02.1 Unit One
Modules (1 to 5) 10 marks each - Total 50
(Minimum of 4 modules should be completed)

4.02.2 Unit Two
Group Presentation 10%
And Unit Two Group Paper 10% - Total 20

4.02.3 Unit Three
Final Project Report - Total 30%
(Journal Notes are compulsory. Instructions on how to maintain Journal Notes and prepare the Final Project Report shall be provided during the Programme)

4.03 Eligibility for the Diploma

4.03.1 Completion of Unit One (Minimum of 4 modules should be completed), Units Two and Three (Journal Notes are compulsory).

4.03.2 Minimum of 80% attendance is required to qualify for the Diploma.

4.03.3 Key to each Unit

A - 75% and above
B - 60% - 74%
C - 40% - 59%
D - 30% - 39%
E - 29% and bellow

4.03.4 Key to Final Results

39% or bellow - to be completed
49%-59% - Simple pass
60%- 74% - Merit Pass
75% or above - Distinction Pass

Notes: 1. Candidates who refer or fail in one or more Units should re-submit the assignments/reports. Only one such attempt will be allowed to complete
2. The Merit and Distinction passes will be awarded only to those who complete the requirements in their proper attempts

4.04 Repeat Participant
Participant who fails to fulfil any of the above mentioned assessment criteria other than the attendance have to fulfil such requirements of repeat attempts. The Board of Academic Affairs shall determine Unit/Units or Modules to be repeated by calculating the final marks, grades and positions.

Such a Participant who need to repeat will be informed in advance and shall be given a final date to complete the requirements. If such a Participant fails to meet the requirements stipulated by the Board of Academic Affairs on the given date shall be considered to have not completed the Diploma. The Board of Academic Affairs may give one last extension to a candidate who gives valid reasons for failure of fulfilling such requirements.

4.05 Absenteeism /Non submission of assignments
Minimum of 80% attendance is required to qualify for the Diploma as stipulated above in 4.03.2.

4.05.1 Letter authorised by the official
If a Participant chooses to be away from the classroom session/s due to official engagements such Participant should submit the request to the Department in writing supported by a letter form his superior at the place of work. This request may consider in final computation of attendance for the eligibility of the Diploma.

4.05.2 Valid medical certificate
In case of any other circumstances if a Participant chooses to be away from the classroom session/s, such person should inform the Department If a Participant falls sick a valid medical certificate shall be considered for the purposes of computation of attendance for the eligibility for the Diploma.

4.05.3 Non/Late submission of assignments
The Participants are responsible to submit all the assignments, papers on or before due dates. The late submissions or non submissions will affect the overall evaluation of the performance. If a Participant is submitting any assignment/paper after the stipulated date then it is mandatory to submit a letter with the assignment/paper giving the reasons for late submission and should obtain an acknowledgement form the Programme Coordinator/Officer for such late submission. The assignments/papers submitted directly to the facilitators/lecturers shall be considered as non submissions. Therefore all assignments/papers should be submitted to the Department.

4.06 Computation/Grading and Release of Results

The Board of Academic Affairs shall meet on completion of computation of results by the Department to determine the final results. Also the Board of Academic Affairs shall determine the merit as per the assessment criteria and confirm the results. The Diploma Certificates will be awarded on the final results.