A. W. Mailvaganam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Professor Vidya Jyothi
A. W. Mailvaganam
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| Born | 13 November 1906 |
| Died | 25 March 1987 (aged 80) |
| Alma mater | Jaffna Central College St. Benedict's College, Colombo Royal College, Colombo Ceylon University College Emmanuel College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Academic |
Professor Arumugam Wisvalingam Mailvaganam, also known as A. W. Mailvaganam, was a very important scientist from Sri Lanka. He was a physicist, which means he studied how the world works, like energy and matter. He also taught at the University of Ceylon and was the head of its Science department. He was honored with the title Vidya Jyothi and was made an OBE.
Early Life and Education
Arumugam Wisvalingam Mailvaganam was born on November 13, 1906. His father was Arumugam Wisvalingam from Suthumalai in northern Sri Lanka.
He went to several schools, including Jaffna Central College, St. Benedict's College, Colombo, and Royal College, Colombo. After finishing school, he joined Ceylon University College. In 1923, he earned a first-class degree in science.
Later, in 1924, he went to Emmanuel College, Cambridge in England. There, he earned another degree in Natural Science in 1928. He continued his studies and received his PhD from Cambridge in 1938.
Mailvaganam had a son named Gajanandan Nandakumar. He was a religious person and a Hindu, who often worshipped at a temple in Bambalapitiya.
Career Highlights
After finishing his university studies, Professor Mailvaganam started working at the Ceylon University College in 1932. He was a lecturer, teaching physics.
In 1939, he became a professor of physics. From 1948 to 1954, he was the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Ceylon. This meant he was in charge of the science department. He also sometimes filled in as the vice chancellor, which is like the head of the entire university. He retired from his work in 1966.
Professor Mailvaganam received special honors for his contributions. In 1949, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the British government. In 1985, he received the Vidya Jyothi honor, which is a high award in Sri Lanka.
He was also the president of the Ceylon Association for the Advancement of Science. He was a member of important groups like the University Grants Commission. He received honorary Doctor of Science degrees from the University of Colombo and the University of Jaffna. The University of Colombo even named one of its yearly awards after him.
Later Life
Professor Mailvaganam passed away on March 25, 1987.
