News
Low-interest loans for undergraduate studies in non-State Universities
View(s):A loan scheme for students who wish to pursue higher education in Engineering and Medicine at non-State universities, is to be
Prof Kshanika Hirimburegama
proposed to the Government by the University Grants Commission (UGC), revealed its Chairperson Prof Kshanika Hirimburegama to Education Times.
“We are going to introduce nonprofit and non State faculties for Engineering and Medicine in the country. These faculties will be service oriented and semi government. Qualified students interested in studying in any of these faculties, will be given a loan from the respective universities,” Prof Hirimburegama said.
She said that the UGC came up with this proposal because many students unable to get into State universities for a few marks more, spend years trying to get into them, have no other means of achieving their dream.
Prof Hirimburegama explained that, the loan, which will commence in two years time, is at very low interest, and could be repaid when the student is employed.
“This is what most universities in other countries are doing. Since our Advance Level examination is very competitive, students are under tremendous pressure to deliver, and need to be rewarded without having to wait for years,” she said, adding that the UGC should give opportunities to interested students.
The loan will be paid directly to the faculty as the respective student’s course fees.
“As higher education cannot be free for everybody who desires it, students shouldn’t always depend on the State,” she said, explaining that free education is free for students, but not for the country.
- Aanya Wipulasena
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus