Private universities a timely need - SB

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

There is a shortage of pilots, computer operators, English teachers and nurses. The Higher Education Ministry has taken steps to fill these vacancies in the near future, said Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake.

The Minister was addressing the Sisu Diriya Annual Scholarship Award Ceremony organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL) yesterday.

Minister Dissanayake said that according to State University students, Private Universities will be a threat to local Universities. "But 31 private Universities have been established in Sri Lanka at present," he said.

"Around 22,000 students are enrolled to universities at present. But these students do not have facilities. We hope to establish new private Universities under the administration of the Higher Education Ministry," the Minister said.

Private universities are a timely need today, he added.

The Government spends about Rs eight billion every year to build new buildings for universities. But those buildings are in poor condition, he added.

ICASL has been awarding scholarship for many years. One hundred and thirty students including GCE A-L top 10 students received scholarships at this year's ceremony.

Dissanayake noted that the Higher Education Ministry will appoint a council to monitor the quality of private Universities.'

Higher Education Ministry's Secretary Dr Sunil Jayantha Navaratne, ICASL President Sujeewa Mudalige, Vice President Sujeewa Rajapakse and Technical Division Manager Anushka Madurasinghe were present.