Salient Hallmarks and Development

The historical evolution of the Commerce Department traces back to its inception in 1977 with the launch of the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Degree Programme under the Department of Economics within the Faculty of Humanities. Following approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) on July 31, 1982, the Department of Commerce commenced its official operations on December 18, 1983. Dr. Nithiananthan led the department as its pioneer Head, overseeing its initial cohort of 28 students. The department’s resource panel included notable individuals such as Mr. M. Nadarajasundaram, Mr. N. Thiruththavel, and Mr. K. Thevarajah.

On January 1, 1986, the Department of Commerce and Management Studies was established, marking a pivotal moment in its organizational structure. Professor S. Rajaratnam assumed the role of its first Head. Successively, Professor V.P. Sivanathan and Professor N. Balakrishnan held this position before Professor M. Nadarajasundaram took over as Head in 1991. The Department achieved a milestone in 1991 by launching the B. Com External degree program, garnering significant success with an initial batch of 316 students. The year 1994 marked the division of the department into the Department of Commerce and the Department of Management Studies. Prof. K. Thevarajah led the Department of Commerce until 2005, succeeded by Mr. K.K. Arulvel until 2010.

However, in 2010, under the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce’s academic restructuring, significant changes were made to the program offerings, leading to the discontinuation of the Bachelor of Commerce degree program. As a result, the Department of Commerce was not included in the restructured program. Despite this, in response to public demand and various representations advocating for the reinstatement of the Bachelor of Commerce degree program, efforts to address this issue began. These efforts culminated in the submission of a proposal that sought to reinstate the program. In late 2011, the University Grants Commission approved the proposal, paving the way for the reestablishment of the Department of Commerce in 2013. At this juncture, Professor K. Thevarajah assumed the role of Head of the department. With the reestablishment of the Department of Commerce, a renewed focus was placed on academic offerings. One notable initiative was the introduction of the Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree program. Initially, due to the department’s re-establishment phase, temporary assistant lecturers were appointed to facilitate the delivery of courses and ensure the smooth functioning of the program. This marked a significant milestone in the department’s journey toward reinstating and revitalizing its academic offerings.

In 2014, significant developments took place within the Department of Commerce. A new departmental building was constructed, funded by a grant of 19 million LKR from the University Grants Commission. The new departmental building was situated beside the university’s playground, providing a convenient and accessible location for students. The relocation to this new premises would have offered a fresh environment conducive to learning and collaboration. Additionally, as part of its expansion and academic offerings, the department hired four permanent academic staff members. These new hires likely brought diverse expertise and perspectives to the department, enriching the academic environment and enhancing the quality of education provided to students. Furthermore, in line with the university’s commitment to providing accessible education, a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Open and Distance Learning program was introduced. This program was offered through the Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL) at the University of Jaffna. Open and distance learning programs provide flexibility for students who may not be able to attend traditional on-campus classes due to various reasons such as work or personal commitments. By offering this program, the university aimed to reach a broader audience of learners and provide them with opportunities for higher education irrespective of their geographical location or constraints.

In 2015, Mr. B. Prahalathan assumed the position of Head of the Department, leading the department’s activities and initiatives until 2021. During his tenure, significant developments likely occurred within the department under his leadership. In 2019, two Bachelor of Commerce Honours programs, namely Accounting and Finance, and Business Technology Management, underwent a thorough evaluation process. This review was carried out by external quality assurance experts who assessed various aspects of the programs, including curriculum, teaching methodologies, and overall effectiveness. Following the comprehensive evaluation, both programs received a commendable ‘B’ rating, indicating that they met or exceeded the standards set forth by the external evaluators. This rating suggests that the programs were deemed to be of good quality and were successfully fulfilling their intended objectives. It reflects positively on the efforts of academics, administrators, and stakeholders involved in the design and delivery of these academic programs.

Prof. S. Achchuthan took over as the Head of the Department in 2021. The significant updates were made in 2021 to the curriculum for the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accounting and Finance and Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Technology Management. These updates aimed to ensure that the programs remained relevant and aligned with current industry trends and demands. The revisions to the curriculum included the introduction of new course units to enrich the learning experience of students. Among these additions were integrated case studies, which likely provided students with practical insights into real-world business scenarios and challenges. Additionally, the inclusion of analytical tools in research would have equipped students with valuable skills for conducting in-depth analyses and making informed business decisions. Furthermore, the updated curriculum incorporated components focused on business planning, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and organizational management. The integration of business intelligence and analytics into the curriculum reflected the growing significance of data-driven decision-making in contemporary business environments.

Moreover, recognizing the importance of catering to the needs of distance learners, the curriculum for the Bachelor of Commerce Honours Open and Distance Learning program also underwent a thorough revision in 2021. Mr. R. Kajananthan, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Commerce, led the revision process with the support of departmental staff members. This collaborative effort likely ensured that the updated curriculum met the unique requirements and challenges associated with distance education, while maintaining high academic standards.
Overall, these updates to the curriculum underscored the department’s commitment to delivering high-quality education and equipping students with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in their chosen fields of study.

In 2023, a significant milestone was achieved with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Commerce and the Sri Lankan Australian Chamber of Commerce (SLACC). This marked a pivotal moment in fostering stronger bilateral ties and facilitating cooperative ventures between the two entities. Building on this momentum, another notable achievement transpired in 2024 with the signing of a MOU between the Department of Commerce and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

These initiatives reflect the department’s commitment to enhancing the educational experience and fostering valuable connections with the industry through practical exposure, recognition, and collaborative research endeavours. In nutshell, Graduates from this department secure positions across diverse sectors, both nationally and globally. It is noteworthy that graduates from this department are privileged to pursue postgraduate studies at various universities worldwide.