Professor Evan Alan Hardy

Professor Evan Alan Hardy, The Visionary Who Built Dreams in Ampara

Professor Evan Alan Hardy arrived in Sri Lanka in 1951 as part of the first UN FAO foreign mission, bringing with him three decades of academic excellence from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. His work would go on to transform technical education in Sri Lanka, especially in the Eastern Province, and build the foundation for what is now known as the Hardy Advanced Technological Institute.

Early Life and Academic Excellence

Born in Canada, Professor Hardy began his career at Saskatchewan University as an Instructor in Agricultural Engineering. He was promoted to Professor in 1919 and earned his M Sc in 1923. By 1926 he became the Head of the Department of Agricultural Engineering. His contributions to agriculture in Saskatchewan were so significant that in 1957 the University of Saskatchewan awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Law degree in recognition of his service.

The Ceylon Mission

Professor Hardy arrived in Ceylon in his early sixties, first joining the Maha Illuppallama Agricultural Centre. Similarities between Dry Zone farming in Sri Lanka and the Canadian prairies allowed him to introduce new techniques and improved systems. His dedication and expertise quickly caught national attention.

Recognizing the urgent need for technical education in the Eastern Province, the government invited him to establish an institute that would change the region forever.

Founding the Hardy Institute

In 1956 Professor Hardy became the founding director of the Regional Technical Training Institute for South Asia, funded under the Colombo Plan. The institute was closely integrated with the Gal Oya Project, Sri Lanka’s first major multipurpose reservoir development.

On January 16, 1956, the first batch of 30 students began their training. By 1958 they completed their programs, marking the beginning of a legacy that would expand across Asia. Students from Burma, Malaysia, North Borneo, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore studied under Professor Hardy and his colleagues from 1956 to 1966.

His approach blended academic instruction with practical field experience. Students described it as an “on the job” educational model that prepared them for real engineering challenges.

Educational Philosophy

Professor Hardy believed that education must combine discipline with real life learning. His students were regularly engaged in field visits and hands on engineering experiences. He designed the institute following the structural and academic principles of Saskatchewan University, hoping that one day it would evolve into a full university.

The institute initially offered programs in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Electrical Engineering.

A Man of Vision and Dedication

Former students described Professor Hardy as a man of remarkable character. According to N Dahanayake, Secretary of the Students Union, Hardy lived by the principle of rising by merit and being respected for service. He devoted his life to educating others, rather than advancing his own interests.

Together with his wife Lois Hicks, he built not just an educational institute but a community of learners and leaders. His influence helped shape generations of engineers and technical professionals.

The Final Chapter

Professor Hardy passed away in 1963 at the age of 73. He was cremated at the institute he founded, and his ashes were interred under a large Nuga tree on the campus grounds. Students carried his coffin in a sorrowful procession from the Kachcheri to the institute, a testament to the deep respect and love they held for him.

A Legacy That Lives On

The Hardy Advanced Technological Institute continues to carry forward his vision, serving students from across the Eastern Province and beyond. His personal belongings, including his desk, wall clock and gramophone, are preserved in the Hardy Museum on campus.

Graduates of the institute, known proudly as Hardians, have achieved global success in the UK, US, Canada and Australia. Locally, they rose to engineering prominence during the Gal Oya development project, quickly replacing foreign engineers due to their exceptional training.

In Saskatchewan, his legacy is honored through laboratories named after him, the Hardy Cup and the Evan Hardy Collegiate Institute. His influence crosses borders, bridging cultures and shaping generations.

Professor Hardy was more than an educator. He was a builder of futures, a visionary whose dedication transformed the lives of thousands. His spirit lives on in every student who walks the grounds of the institute that bears his name.