Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof. Sampath Amaratunga assured President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday that an additional 7,500 students will be enrolled for tertiary education this year.
This assurance was made at a meeting convened by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the sphere of higher education, where he said the higher education system should be designed to enable graduates to find employment opportunities speedily.
President Rajapaksa noted that it is essential to introduce Degree courses covering areas such as Information Technology, Nursing, Teaching and Tourism, which would open up new opportunities for graduates.
Whatever the definitions given to university education, if young people leaving the universities cannot find jobs, there must be something intrinsically wrong with the system. The President pointed out that there should be an education system that makes job opportunities run after graduates instead of them staging demonstrations demanding employment.
The Universities and schools should reopen only in accordance with recommendations of the health authorities, the President said adding that the present context must be utilized to expand the distance learning system. He said that at least 30% of the university student population should be attracted towards online education.
President Rajapaksa recalling that thousands of students studying overseas were to be flown back in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic added that such a large number of students seeking higher education abroad is counterproductive in many aspects.
‘Their education abroad causes a huge outflow of foreign exchange. Parents also suffer when their children are away from homes. In order to put an end to this disturbing practice, we need to diversify our university education,” the President emphasized.
President Rajapaksa highlighted the possibility of assembling low-cost computers targeting university students. Engineering Faculties of universities and others who possess the know-how can assist in this exercise. It is a necessity to provide a personal computer to all students eligible to enter universities.
The President stated that all university entrants must be given a comprehensive knowledge in communication technology and English language. Vice Chancellors of Universities and the Chairman of the University Grants Commission were present at the meeting.
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