Leadership training programme:
Academics'views to be sought
Dharma Sri Abeyratne and Dinesh de Alwis
The Higher Education Ministry will seek the university academics' and
Vice Chancellors' views on the on-going leadership training and positive
abilities development programme conducted for freshers.
"This can be considered as a fruitful measure to create a perfect
programme," Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake said.
The ministry will make appropriate changes to the leadership and
positive abilities development programme in accordance with the
proposals and ideas of the academics and the VCs.
Several changes will be made in this year's programme considering
feedback from students, parents and university academics, the minister
said.
The Higher Education Ministry has been carrying out the leadership
training programme for students entering the university for two years,
with the collaboration of Defence and Urban Development Ministry.
Accordingly, around 25,000 undergraduates, who will be enrolled for
university education this year will undergo the leadership and positive
abilities development training at 29 locations countrywide.
The programme came under severe criticism from the Opposition
political parties and student unions. These critics were of the view
that the leadership training and positive abilities development
programme was a military training although there is no weapons
involvement.
'However, finally all these critics and the society at large have
clearly understood that the leadership and positive abilities
development programme was of great advantage to the entire life of an
undergraduate. It is the government's view that local undergraduates
lack management skills and supervisory capabilities although they
receive an adequate knowledge of the subjects they study. By following
the programme they will receive the necessary training and aptitude to
meet this challenge, Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil
Jayantha Navaratne said .
Meanwhile, Higher Education Ministry Director General of Students
Affairs Keerthi Mawella said, the three week leadership and positive
abilities development programme for university entrants for the
2012/2013 academic year will commence in two months.
He said the Higher Education Ministry will announce the exact date
following the Attorney General's advice. The ministry will send letters
to the selected students next month, Mawella said.
The programme's aim is to develop leadership skills and change the
undergraduates' attitude. The training comprises both theory and
practical sessions, that includ indoor and outdoor activities.
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