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Quality higher education through State accredited Institutes: UGC head
View(s):A National Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council (NQAAC) will be introduced from next year to look into the quality and accreditation of all universities in the country, said Chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Prof Kshanika Hirimburegama.
“This way we can assure a solid education system,” said Prof Hirimburegama on the current state of higher education in Sri Lanka, in an interview with the Education Times.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: What is the UGC doing to attract Sri Lankan students living abroad?
Prof Kshanika Hirimburegama
A: These are children of Sri Lankan parents who have migrated. These students like to come and finish their higher education herebecause they like our culture. Probably, the parents prefer our culture, as foreign cultures are different.
These students also have good qualifications. Most of these students are willing to come to Sri Lanka to study Medicine and Engineering. However, it is our university system that is blocking them. We already have 5% admission of such students into our local universities, but we hope to increase the number in the future.
Q: Elaborate on other UGC plans to develop the higher education system?
A: Along with the Higher Education Ministry, we intend to develop a National Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council (NQAAC). The NQAAC, to be introduced early next year, will be an independent body that will look into the quality and accreditation of all universities in the country, to assure a solid education system.
Q: What are the obstacles in achieving these goals?
A: The President and the Higher Education Minister are very supportive and open to any ideas put forward to develop the education system of the country. However, a fraction may oppose, but I’m sure, through dialogue, they will understand and agree with us, because they will be the beneficiaries. But the public must be with us.
Another plan is to introduce new subjects with regard to the BSc in Technology, and we are talking with the faculties for this, as we intend enrolling the first batch in 2016.
Q: Soon you will be enrolling a new batch into the universities. Wouldn’t there be a problem here, as you already took two batches in the previous year?
A: There will be problems, especially with regard to hostels. The ministry is working on building more hostels to accommodate the new batch. The Chancellors, Vice Chancellors and academics of the universities have understood this, and have agreed to work with us to get the new batch in. We hope to take the new batch in by November or December. While national issues need due consideration, we will not keep the students waiting.
Q: A large number of students go abroad to study. What is your reaction?
A: Our students go abroad because there is no alternative. We are going to bring in non-State universities, so that these students can do their higher studies here. Through this, the students will remain in the country, along with the money. Also, there will be more employment, because these universities will need human resources to function.
We are also looking at multimode delivery systems such as online programmes and video conferences.
Q: There was a strong campaign that the equivalent of 6% of GDP should be allocated for Education. What is being done about this?
A: They are talking about 6% from the Higher Education Ministry, but there are many others that are contributing to the Education system. If we consider these it is already above 6%.
Q: There are increasing reports on indiscipline among university students. What is your reaction?
A: Students should understand they are using public money when they enter a State university, hence it is very important that they should be disciplined. On the other hand, the administration should also know to be fair and listen to the students’ side of the story. This way indiscipline can be prevented.
Q: There are allegations of lecturers spending more time on research work than teaching students. What do you think of this?
A: Academics have to do research and generate knowledge while they teach. A majority of the academics are very committed to their work. Very few boycott teaching, but most are doing an excellent job, with our graduates absorbed internationally.
- Aanya Wipulasena
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