ICT helps face 21st century

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

Information and Communication Technology plays a vital role in building Sri Lanka's capacity to face the challenges in the 21 century while placing the Sri Lankan identity in a high position in the world, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga said yesterday.

The Secretary delivering the keynote address at the International Research Conference to discuss challenges and possibilities on 'Open and Distance Learning in the 21st Century' at the Open University, said Information and Computer Technology (ICT) can be effectively integrated in the delivery of higher education even in remote parts of Sri Lanka.

"This will help us to meet the needs of working adults as well as youth who do not find adequate opportunities for higher education. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has made it clear in the Mahinda Chinthana policy statement that this opportunity gap in higher education will be addressed through Open and Distance Learning," the Secretary added. He said educational instructors in Sri Lanka must learn from their past experiences as well as international best practices. "Conferences of this nature provide an excellent opportunity to learn from national as well as international experiences in the field of open and distance learning".

Open University Vice Chancellor, Professor Upali Vidanapathirana said the conference showcases current research work undertaken by national and international scholars on open and distance learning.