Vice Chancellor – Ocean University of Sri Lanka

Under the provision of Ocean University Act No. 31 2014, the Vice-Chancellor is a full-time Officer and shall be the Principal Executive Officer, the Principal Academic Officer, and the Accounting Officer of the University. He/she shall also be an ex-officio member and Chairman of both the Board of Governors and the Academic Council of the University. 

The Vice-Chancellor shall, unless he/she vacates office earlier or is removed from office in terms of the Ocean University Act No.31 of 2014 hold office for a term of four years or until he/she completes his/her sixty-fifth year, whichever occurred earlier. 

The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for directing academic affairs, formulating and introducing management policies, implementing the decisions of the Board of Governors, and directing the general administration of the University. He/she shall uphold the principles of academic excellence, transparency, accountability, democratic management, and effective impartial leadership. 

The successful candidate should demonstrate a record of high academic achievements, including a strong research profile, and possess a strategic vision with proven leadership qualities. He/she should have strong interpersonal skills to interact objectively with diverse interest groups, a clear understanding of policy framework, and a commitment to the effective implementation of decisions.

Furthermore, the candidate should have a deep understanding of the university’s ethos and mission, showing dedication to the university community and society at large in both an institutional and broader sense.

The Vice-Chancellor is eligible to be on the academic salary scale as a Senior Professor in the university system and is entitled to an entertainment allowance of 15% of the basic salary, a communication allowance, a fuel allowance, etc. In addition, the Vice-Chancellor is entitled to an official vehicle with a driver.

The following documents should accompany the applications:

1. Complete curriculum vitae including the date of birth of the applicant. The applicant should be a citizen of Sri Lanka and shall be less than 63 years of age by the closing date of the application. 
2. A statement of vision for the development of the University and a brief account of what the applicant proposes to achieve if appointed to the post of Vice-Chancellor. 
3. Where the incumbent Vice-Chancellor is an applicant or has held the post of Vice Chancellor of the University before, he/she shall give a report highlighting accomplishments during his/her first period of office, in addition to the documents mentioned in section (i) and (ii) above 
4. A letter from the employer, including whether the applicant could be released in the event of his /her appointment to the post in the case of an applicant serving in public service, corporation, statutory bodies, or higher educational institutions in the case of external applicants. 

Age Limit:

• Shall be less than 63 years of age by the closing date of the application.

How to Apply:

Applications should be addressed to the Director (Finance), Finance Division, Ocean University of Sri Lanka, Crow Island, Mattakkuliya, Colombo 15 and sent under the registered post or hand delivered to reach the office of Finance Division on a working day at or before 3.30 p.m on 2nd April 2025. The envelope containing the application must be marked “Post of the Vice-Chancellor” on the top left-hand corner.

In addition, a soft copy of the above documents together with any other supporting documents in PDF format should be submitted to the Office of Finance Division on or before the above date. A Special meeting of the Board of Governors will be convened on a working day within two months after the closing date of applications, and the applicants are summoned in person before the Special Board Meeting for evaluation and an interview. All applicants are requested to make a brief presentation of a minimum of ten (10) minutes duration but not exceeding fifteen (15) minutes. Provided in an exceptional situation. If any applicant is not in a position to appear before the Special Council Meeting in person, he/she shall be allowed to appear via virtual mode, with prior notice to the Secretary of the Council. 

The selection will be made in the manner set out in the University Grant Commission Circular No. 03/2023 and dated 10th April 2023 issued by the University Grant Commission of Sri Lanka. Please refer to the aforesaid University Grant Commission Circular for further details of the procedure of appointment to the post of Vice Chancellor, www.ocu.ac.lk and www.ugc.ac.lk