Ed. Ministry promises to speed up land deal for Moratuwa University’s medical faculty
View(s):This week, the Education Ministry assured the Committee of Public Enterprises (COPE) that it will work with relevant institutions to speed up the process of purchasing a land for Moratuwa University’s medical faculty.
The lack of space for the medical faculty was raised when the 2019-2020 Auditor General report of the Moratuwa University was taken before the COPE.
Despite enrolling two batches and with around 200 students studying medicine, the university has no buildings for the faculty, it was revealed. It was earlier proposed to purchase a land at Nagoda in Kalutara.
“We were told to obtain a bank loan to purchase the said 15 acre land. The owners were willing to give two acres free, while charging for 13 acres. But the prices were based on the 2019 evaluation,” said Moratuwa University Vice Chancellor N.D. Gunewardena.
He said the Government of Kuwait will provide necessary financial allocations for the construction of medical faculty buildings.
Education Ministry Secretary Nihal Ranasinghe said the Ministry would coordinate with the Higher Education Ministry and other institutions to speed up the process of purchasing the land after inspection and evaluation.
At the COPE meeting it was revealed that students graduating from Moratuwa University’s medical faculty will acquire a special skill: Medical technology.
“As this university is a pioneer in STEM education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), our MBBS graduates will be given the opportunity to study technology used in the medical field,” said Prof. Gunewardena.
Some of the latest medical equipment, especially those used in cancer treatment, need to be operated by those with the knowledge of technology and it was revealed that the country brings down experts from abroad, as medical professionals here are unable to operate such equipment.
Moreover, COPE Chairman Charitha Herath highlighted the need to regulate companies registered under universities. This issue was raised with regard to the LK Domain Registry and Uni-Consultancy Services.
Even though initially, the LK Domain Registry was registered under Moratuwa University’s Department of Computer Science, at present the business address was not the university and the university had no responsibility at present.
“These companies need to come under an advisory board of a national authority. People still believe these companies are under the university’s purview,” Prof. Herathsaid.
He asked the Education Ministry Secretary to get the assistance of the Auditor General and submit a report within three months regarding this issue.
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