State universities assessed to improve quality

Disna MUDALIGE

In a bid to uplift the quality of study programs, assessments had been conducted in all universities covering each and every department and faculty while assisting with expertise service to improve quality in them, said Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council Director Prof Colin Peiris.

He said that 95 percent of the work of the monitoring in State universities has been completed. Reports were submitted to 14 out of 15 State universities in the country. The State universities constitute a total of 76 academic faculties and 434 academic departments. The total number of bachelor's degrees programs offered collectively by the State sector is 129. The Director said that during 2006 to 2010, 71 percent of study programs have done major, minor or complete curriculum revisions.

The monitoring was based on eight criteria even including aspects such as financial administration, infrastructure facilities, total outcome of research and quality assurance activities in general. The review panel had included five to six experts.

During the first round, curricular in 288 academic departments were revised while allowing them to improve weak areas. The Council has conducted 24 workshops on curriculum revision in 2009 and 2010.

The Director hoped that the Universities will take immediate action to revise their study programs according to the recommendations given by the council. He also requested the Higher Education Ministry to make necessary policy changes to facilitate the recommended Curricular revisions.

He revealed these at a meeting with Colombo University Vice Chancellor Prof Kshanika Hirimburegama recently. The Vice Chancellor said that setting up of Internal Quality Assurance Units helped the Universities to be improved to international standards.

She also observed that the main target of Universities is to produce well disciplined quality intellectuals rather than just producing graduates for employment.