In an environment where critical issues relating to university education in Sri Lanka are being debated, the Pathfinder Foundation (PF) is organising a public seminar (Sanvada) on ‘Free and Free to Choose Higher Education’.

The objective of this seminar is to highlight critical issues with regard to formalizing and regulating private sector participation in Higher Education and improving quality and standard of state funded universities.

The main presentation titled ‘Free and Free to Choose Higher Education: Role of State, Private Sector and Regulations’ will be made by Dr. Athula Ranasinghe, Associate Professor of Economics from the University of Colombo.

Dr. Sujata Gamage, former Director General of the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission will speak on ‘Why a National Qualification Framework Should Be a Priority’. The World Bank’s Lead Education Specialist Dr. Harsha Aturupane will talk on ‘Higher Education in Sri Lanka’ and Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) CEO Dr. Athula Pitigala Arachchi will look at ‘Development of Private Higher Education in Sri Lanka – Seizing the Opportunity’. The meeting will be chaired by Dr. Sirimal Abeyratne, Professor of Economics from the University of Colombo.

The speakers are expected to make their own recommendations with regard to required policy and regulatory reforms that are needed to uplift Higher Education in Sri Lanka. It is also expected that the open forum will provide an opportunity for participants to voice and discuss their concerns and views. 
The meeting is scheduled for 30 June 2011 from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the SLFI. Due to limited seating capacity please register your participation with the Pathfinder Foundation through phone: 2372895/6 or e-mail to pm@pathfinderfoundation.org.

The final outcome of this seminar will be to prepare a Policy Brief which will be printed and published in Sinhala, Tamil and English for circulation among the Parliamentarians, their secretaries and other relevant stakeholders.