Seminar on Free and Free to Choose Higher Education
In an environment where critical issues relating to University
education in Sri Lanka is being debated, the Pathfinder Foundation (PF)
is organizing a public seminar (Sanvada) on Free and Free to Choose
Higher Education. The objective of this seminar is to highlight critical
issues with regard to formalizing and regulating private sector
participation in higher education and improving quality and standard of
state funded universities.
The main presentation titled “Free and Free to Choose Higher
Education: Role of State, Private Sector and Regulations” will be made
by Dr Athula Ranasinghe, Associate Professor of Economics from the
University of Colombo. Dr Sujata Gamage, former Director General of the
Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission will speak on “Why a
National Qualification Framework should be a priority”.
The World Bank’s lead Education Specialist, Dr Harsha Aturupane will
talk on “Higher Education in Sri Lanka” and Asia Pacific Institute of
Information Technology (APIIT), CEO Dr Athula Pitigala Arachchi, will
look at “Development of Private Higher Education in Sri Lanka - Seizing
the Opportunity”. The meeting will be chaired by Professor of Economics
from the University of Colombo Dr Sirimal Abeyratne.
The speakers are expected to make their own recommendations with
regard to required policy and regulatory reforms that are needed to
uplift higher education in Sri Lanka. It is also expected that the Open
Forum will provide an opportunity for participants to voice and discuss
their concerns and views.
The meeting is scheduled for June 30, 2011 from 2:30 p.m. - 5:00p.m.
at the SLFI. Due to limited seating capacity, please register your
participation with the Pathfinder Foundation through phone: 2372895/6 or
e-mail to [email protected]
The final outcome of this seminar will be to prepare a ‘Policy Brief’
which will be printed and published in Sinhala, Tamil and English for
circulation among the Parliamentarians, their Secretaries and other
relevant stakeholders.
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