Govt seeks Dons’ help to ensure success in higher education

The government which has taken a policy decision to give prominence to the educational and research sector to achieve its objective of building a knowledge-based economy without merely depending on traditional products and industries in ushering development and progress sought the assistance of university Dons to ensure the success of education and higher education activities at national and regional level, Mass Media and Information Ministry Secretary Charitha Herath said in a press release yesterday.

The release said measures are being taken in relation to the government’s stand on making Sri Lanka the knowledge hub and knowledge based economic hub in Asia as envisioned in the Mahinda Chintana Forward Vision 2010.

The release: “Special emphasis is being laid on primary, secondary, tertiary and vocational education as it formed the basis of higher education.

“Allocations for these are made not only by the Ministries of Education and Youth Affairs and Skills Development, provincial ministries of education,

Sports and health but also the central government, Ministries of Sports, Health and Economic Development. “Expenditure on higher education is directly borne by the Ministries of Higher Education and Youth Affairs and Skills Development. “Since the dedication of state universities is needed to transform Sri Lanka into a knowledge hub, the government hoped to plan the higher education sector with the support and cooperation of university Dons and other professionals with specialist knowledge to formulate new strategies.

“This involved the introduction of new courses of study, incentives for university teachers, teacher training and the creation of a conducive environment for students, teachers and non-academic staff.“Concurrent to the development of education and higher education, a higher percentage of the national income will be invested in building a knowledge based economy. "The government also hoped to establish a post graduate university within the next five years to create specialist teachers and professionals. Services of teachers with local and international knowledge would also be obtained to nurture the local knowledge economy with international expertise.

“The government also hoped to establish the university service as a special service which will protect and enhance the honour and prestige of university Dons and enable the recruitment of talented lecturers and retain the services of existing lecturers and also induce lecturers employed abroad to return and serve the country.

“ The government which considered the internal independence and flexibility of universities as an absolute pre-requisite will call upon the university students, faculties, departments, senate, administration and Vice Chancellors to get together and draw up a strategy and plan to ensure the independence and flexibility of universities and ensure that universities are not transformed into a battlefield. “The government also planned to appoint a Presidential Commission to prepare education and higher education reforms with the assistance of university Dons and professionals.”