Tertiary Reform

Sep 20, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka's tertiary education policy should change to encourage fee-based universities of international standard to be set up, which will prevent students going abroad for degrees, a senior academic has said. Due to under-investment in tertiary education, areas for which there is a demand in the economy, such as engineering, medicine, information technology and management have only a few places available in state universities.

Only a small core of state universities, such as the Moratuwa University, some faculties in the Colombo and Peradeniya Universities turn out useful high quality graduates that help the nation go forward.

Foreign Expense

Because of lack of places for degrees for which there is demand, a large number of students who finish secondary education therefore have to seek foreign degrees, which is expensive, and is available to only a few families with means.

Even then people mortgage their houses and get into debt to give a chance for their children to get a useful education that will let them get ahead in life.

United Kingdom, Australia and the United States ate favorite destinations amongst Sri Lankan students.

Government officials have said earlier th