Sri Lanka must produce professionals in technical, vocational fields -President

Rasika SOMARATHNA

The era of producing professionals of a high standard of excellence in technical and vocational fields has begun with the new graduates and diplomates of the University of Vocational Technology, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said addressing the University's first convocation yesterday.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa conferring a degree at the first convocation of the University of Vocational Technology at the BMICH yesterday. Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, Vice Chancellor Prof Kapila G.A.Goonasekare and Deputy Minister Duminda Dissanayake were also present on the occasion. Picture by Sudath Silva

The University established in 2009 under the wings of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development held its inaugural convocation under the patronage of the President at the BMICH.

The President noted that Sri Lanka's universities for long had produced graduates and professionals of the highest calibre in the Arts and Science streams.

"The new University will provide an alternative pathway to improve knowledge and skills and achieve professional excellence in the technical and vocational fields," he said.

Speaking of the new graduates, the President said they will take a wealth of knowledge that is of importance to the country's new development strategies.

Recalling the past, the President said he saw the importance of propagating vocational education in the country as way back as four decades ago at the beginning of his political career.

The President however lamented that this importance of promoting such education in the country was lost on some leaders who ruled in the past, which resulted in delays of establishing relevant educational institutions..

Recognizing the importance of promoting such education islandwide, the Vocational Training Authority was established in 1995. but, efforts to take it further were delayed.

"However, this had become a reality with the establishment of the University in 2009," the President added. The President said vocational and technology professionals were the ones who had the highest demand in global employment markets and added the University will help to produce such professionals. He pointed out that this would also help in making Sri Lanka, a centre of knowledge in the region as stated in the 'Mahinda Chinthana'.

"The degrees and diplomas in the University have been designed in keeping with present and future needs of economic and social development in the country, the President said.

"It also provides an opportunity for career advancement to those who had diplomas and other qualifications in technical education and are already employed," he added.

The Degree of Bachelor of Education in Technology was awarded to 26 graduates and National Diplomas and Certificates in a variety of fields were awarded to 338 on the occasion. Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma and Vice Chancellor Prof Kapila G.A.Goonasekare also spoke. Deputy Minister Duminda Dissanayake, political dignitaries, Academic staff and relatives of the graduates attended.