With an increasing number of students following university degrees especially online degrees/courses, the University Grants Commission (UGC) strongly urged students to consult the UGC on whether the university course/degree is recognized in Sri Lanka.
Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Professor Gamini Samaranayake told The Sunday Times that though the number of students sitting for foreign degrees had increased rapidly, most of them fail to to consult the UGC.
 |
| Prof. Samaranayake |
“Most students sitting for foreign degrees including online degrees, are not aware that some of these foreign universities are not recognized and some are even bogus ones despite bearing the name of a particular country,” he said.
Prof. Samaranayake said there were many instances of students who did not consult the UGC prior to sitting for foreign degrees and subsequently going through untold difficulties when seeking employment with reputed firms in the country.
“Most reputed establishments check the validity of job applicant’s qualifications. There are some instances where job opportunities are lost due to a rejection of a qualification, as it is not recognized in the country”, he added.
According to the chairman, universities listed in The Commonwealth Universities Yearbook, issued by the Association of Commonwealth Countries and the International Handbook of Universities published by the International Association of Universities is recognised in Sri Lanka.
Prof. Samaranayake said the UGC was unable to consider the plea of students that their degree be recognised as recognition was granted via a public administration circular which is made law.
He advised students applying for online degrees to be extra vigilant and urged them to either refer to the aforementioned books, or check with the UGC to ensure the institute at which they were hoping to follow higher studies was a recognized degree awarding institute. |
E-mail