Day-scholar system will ensure higher education for all: Uva Uni Dean
View(s):A “Day-Scholar System” is the only viable strategy to realise President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s vision to expand higher education opportunities for all, says Uva-Wellassa University Management Faculty Dean G.H. Abeyweera.
Explaining the vision, the dean said a day-scholar was also an Advanced Level qualified student registered for a study programme of any university or a higher educational institution but would not seek hostel facility.
“A day-scholar should be able commute to the university daily from his or her residence or any other privately owned place. He or she is free to use all the facilities provided by the university but cannot use facilities provided exclusively to hostellers,” he said.
Mr Abeyweera noted that in Sri Lanka’s context, if there were enough lecture hall facilities, they could devise a mechanism to provide more opportunities to Advanced Level qualified students to register in a university closer to their residences. Alternatively, students can have their own places of boarding at their expense and engage in studies. The students can commute to universities in the morning and return in the evening after their studies. They can also take part in all extra-curricular activities ensuring the maximum use of resources available within the university.
“It also should be noted that there should not be any difference and no distinction in the qualifications awarded such as internal and external for those who are qualified to enter university. In most cases, day scholars may benefit from study programmes more than hostellers since they are not disturbed in their day-to-day lives,” he said.
The dean said the admissions of day-scholar students should be handled by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to ensure that there is no discrimination of any student on admission criteria.
“When students are admitted by the UGC, students feel the self-esteem that they are selected by a state body. This will undoubtedly avoid differences between day-scholars and hostellers; the only exception being that hostellers will be staying in hostels based on a transparent criterion while others will commute from their residences. However, all will have a common goal of a degree certificate which will be issued by the respective universities.
“It is the government’s responsibility in providing sufficient facilities to the universities. It should concentrate on increasing the available facilities such as lecture halls, laboratories, library facilities, information technology laboratories, information communication technology and video conferencing facilities etc.
“It is also noteworthy to investigate how various funds, including World Bank funds, are being utilised for different purposes. Mega funding projects should concentrate on acquiring properties sustainable by the universities and not just spending money and paying back loans after sometimes. In short, the government should channel its funding for increasing infrastructure facilities in the universities so that all stakeholders may benefit from such facilities immensely,” he said.
At the same time, the universities should have their own plans to increase and improve the number of laboratories, IT labs, language labs, and libraries, Mr. Abeyweera said.
“In addition to the above, the government should establish a scholarship fund for the needy students. At the same time the use of technology also should be encouraged for e-learning so that students may spend sufficient time in self-studies. We also need to pay our attention to what the industry expects from our graduates,” he said.
The dean also emphasised the need to develop the students’ English language and other languages skills, their knowledge about core disciplines, their research skills and a healthy attitudes with regard to training in the relevant industry.