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Varsity leadership training exercise cancelled: Kiriella
View(s):The University Leadership Training Programme (ULTP) conducted by military personnel for entrants to universities will be cancelled from this year, University Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday. Addressing a news conference Mr. Kiriella said that the Programme that was made mandatory for students who gained admission to State-run universities will be discontinued and the universities will focus more on developing language skills of students.
The programme known as ‘ Nayakathawa Puhunu’ (Future Leaders) was introduced first in the 2012/2013 academic year as a leadership and positive development programme and was held at over 20 Army camps across the country. However it was criticised when students fell sick and some even died due to rigorous training.
University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof. Mohan de Silva told the Sunday Times that the programme though introduced for right motives had disadvantages. He explained that the selection of students to universities is a systematic and intensive process.
He said all State-run universities have an Introductory Programme (IP) where students are trained in three soft skills.
“These are English, Information Technology and another soft skill,” Prof. Silva said adding that they will now focuss on looking for new and effective ways to teach these soft skills to new students.