About You are here:HomeAbout Welcome to the Postgraduate Institute of Science The Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS) is a National Institute established by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in 1996, by an ordinance made by the University Grants Commission under section 18 with section 24A of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978, for the purpose of providing, promoting and developing higher education in science. IThe PGIS is attached to the University of Peradeniya and depends on the university for formulation and implementation of its academic programmes and the award of postgraduate degrees. The institute strives to achieve its principle objectives to provide postgraduate instruction and training and facilitate research in different disciplines of science by; Stimulating creative thought while making available existing knowledge in the chosen fields Providing an atmosphere where free intellectual activity can flourish Including a responsibility and sensitivity about the scientific and technological needs of the society The Director is the principal executive, academic and accounting officer of the institute while the Board of Management is the principal authority of the institute. At present, PGIS is the leading degree awarding institute in Sri Lanka for postgraduate research and education in scientific disciplines spread over its ten Boards of Study: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Physics, Plant Sciences, Science Education, Statistics & Computer Science, and Zoological Sciences. Up to 31-12-2009 the PGIS has awarded, through the University of Peradeniya, nearly 1000 postgraduate degrees (Ph.D., M.Phil. and M.Sc.) and 260 postgraduate diplomas in different disciplines of science and about 8000 have participated in workshops, conferences and short-term training courses/programmes. At present there are 1237 students enrolled in 20 M.Sc. programmes, 142 students in M.Phil. and Ph.D. research based programmes and 148 students in postgraduate diploma programmes.