Development of Vocational Technology through university education
Text of the Address by Chancellor of the University
of
Vocational Technology Vidya Jyothi Emeritus
Professor Dayantha Wijeyesekera at the First
Convocation
The Chancellor’ address is to illustrate the concept and objectives
of the respective university and thereafter to indicate the progress and
development each year of the University. It has been my privilege to
initiate through a committee, the drafting of the Parliamentary Bill for
the University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC) during the period
2004/2005 when I was the Secretary of the Ministry. The committee was
fortunate that the establishment of such a university had been the
vision quite rightly in the manifestos of all three major political
parties before the last general election.
In Sri Lanka, as in most countries tertiary education is available
through three different systems. Firstly through the conventional or
traditional systems, secondly through the Open and Distance learning
commonly known as Distance Education and thirdly through competence
based learning and assessment all based on specific qualification
frameworks and credit systems.
Vidya Jyothi Emeritus Professor Dayantha Wijeyesekera |
While the two former systems are well established in Sri Lanka
through the 15 Conventional Universities, degree awarding institutes and
other higher education institutes together with the Open and Distance
Learning through the Open University of Sri Lanka more recently through
other Higher Education Institutes, the advent of the National Vocational
Qualifications (NVQ) framework has paved the way to a pathway leading to
a Vocational Technology Degree from the UNIVOTEC.
Furthermore, the UNIVOTEC offers a lateral entry pathway for those
with middle level Technological qualifications either to obtain with
further studies a degree in Technology or a degree in Education in
Technology, which are being conferred to many of you. On this particular
degree I will dwell some more in detail later.
Development challenges
At this stage it may be relevant to clarify the difference between a
University of Technology and a University of Vocational Technology.
There are many universities of Technology spread throughout the world.
It was my privilege to confirm my impression of the difference just a
few weeks ago, when I visited an overseas University of Technology which
had its humble beginning similar as the Institute of Practical
Technology at Katubedda, half a century ago in 1962 and now the highly
ranked conventional University of Moratuwa offering degrees on the
Science of Engineering.
There are others who maintain its technological and vocational
character and are awarding Tertiary education degrees in some countries
and such degrees are in great demand. Hence developing countries such as
ours’ need both types, one essentially for research, design and
development and the other for practical applications, production and
field work.
Hence, the country has met a long felt need in the establishment of
UNIVOTEC in 2008, a university through a non-traditional system, much
needed to meet the development challenges of the country.
It is in this context that I wish to address the staff, students and
well wishers of UNIVOTEC, the importance of maintaining the unique
characteristics and objectives of the University without compromising on
any of them to align the university to a conventional university as it
will be counterproductive, but retaining its uniqueness not only would
it meet the needs of the country but also could be the leading
Vocational Technological University in the country. Vocational Training
is an area which the President has taken a great interest and given an
impetus towards its development which the Minister and the deputy
Minister is continuing the same interest with much diligence.
The next focus I wish to make would be the roles which can be played
by the graduates of today receiving the Bachelor of Education degree in
Technology, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka.
The B . Ed . (Tech) degree has many roles at various levels and in
all parts of the country.
The proposed GCE 'A-level' Technology stream is yearning for
Technical teachers to implement same satisfactorily and effectively.
There are the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Centres at
different levels requiring the services of these graduates. At a time
when the NVQ system does not demand the cognitive knowledge of its
trainees to be as high as the GCE O and A level at craft level, today’s
graduates would have a very vital role to play to raise the cognitive
ability of the trainees as they proceed to NVQ 5.6 and 7 levels in order
to acquire Diploma and Degree qualifications.
These graduates have great potential to carry out research in
technical education how such education could be further developed to be
relevant to the needs of the country and overseas.
University education
Hence, it is imperative that those involved in the development,
governance, management and administration of this unique university
constantly remind themselves of the objects and powers of the
university.
* These are to, assist in the progressive development of students in
technical and vocational education and training system, based on their
aptitudes and abilities to acquire a university education;
* Provide pedagogical training for those undergoing training while
serving in the technical and vocational education sector and industry;
* Assist in the development of course curricula for technical and
vocational education and training;
* Provide courses of study for middle level technical personnel
having qualifications acceptable for admission to the university;
* Provide courses of study for those with national vocational
qualifications to upgrade their competency and acquire academic
qualifications;
* Provide extension courses on continuous professional development;
and
* Provide extension services to the public including institutions, in
the construction, manufacturing and service sectors.
TVET sector
Having highlighted these important factors in the establishment and
continuity, of this university let me thank the President for having
appointed me as the Head of the University in the Office of Chancellor
and assure that with the assistance and direction of the Minister in
charge of the subject, assure to make every effort towards its
development and recognition.
This to be achieved through potential links with National and
International Professional Bodies and Accords, enhancing the stature of
the university through Linkages with other Universities Local and
Overseas also with Interaction with Professional Bodies and Industry
undertaking Research and Consultancy and promoting Continuous
Professional Development.
Hence, it is with a deep sense of satisfaction and delight, as the
Head of the University I wish to congratulate those who graduate at this
convocation, express gratitude to those who made their success possible
and above all appreciate all those who contributed to the establishment
of this innovative and industry based university for Vocational
Technology and those who continue to endeavour to preserve and enhance
the aims of the university.
I wish the objectives of the university be further strengthened to
meet the needs of the industry and the TVET sector and all success to
the staff, graduands and students.
Finally I wish to thank all staff of the university at all levels and
categories for their contributions towards the first output of graduates
and above all wish the graduates the very best in their endeavours and
motivate them to contribute their best towards the development of the
country and in particular the Technical and Vocational Education and
Training Sector. |