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Research gets 10% of Higher Education allocation: UGC Head
View(s):Research to receive 10% of Higher Education allocation, said University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairperson Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama.
She said that, altogether some Rs 650 million is being allocated for Research within State-run universities.
“This includes Rs 500 million for Research centres to be set up in our universities, and Rs 150 million for academics to complete their research for their PHDs,” Prof. Hirimburegama said.
Thus, Rs 500 million will be given for Cancer research by Colombo University, Kidney Disease research by Peradeniya and Rajarata Universities and Diabetes research by Ruhuna University.
The President also proposed another Rs 500 million for the National Research Council for research in other fields.
Prof. Hirimburegama said that Government has identified the importance of research to this country, as this leads to innovation which is vital for national development.
“We are also going to expand research in the Marine area. Our country is surrounded by the ocean and we have not taken the best out of it. We intend training students in various fields to tap the resources in our seas,” she said.
Meanwhile, former Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA), President, Dr Nirmal Devasiri said the problems in Higher Education they are discussing goes beyond allocation for Research. He said that, as much as it is good to allocate funds for Research, other problems regarding such work too should be addressed.
“Research in the country has deteriorated and lacks quality. This is a larger and long term issue, and not the fault of one party. It should be addressed for the proper utilisation of the funds allocated,” he said.