Lankan varsities to attain world-class status soon

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

The Higher Education Ministry has decided to upgrade six universities to the level of world-class universities under a program initiated by the Government.

Of the 15 universities, initially, Colombo, Moratuwa, Peradeniya, Kelaniya, Sri Jayewardenepura and Ruhuna universities will be upgraded to world-class universities, Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has given approval to upgrade the universities following a request by Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake.

The project is estimated to cost Rs. 200 million approximately. The Ministry will launch construction work in January next year, he said.

According to Dr. Nawaratne three globally accepted conditions have to be fulfilled in converting a university to the status of a world-class university. Firstly, professors and students of that particular university should conduct research and publish the research articles in internationally reputed journals. Secondly, that particular university should have local and foreign students. Thirdly, the graduates produced by the university should be globally employable.

"If we can fulfil these three conditions, our universities can also be converted into world-class universities. Our aim is to develop six selected universities in accordance with these globally accepted criteria and more funds will be allocated to realise this objective." The Higher Education Ministry will also provide opportunities for foreign students to study in these universities and do their research so that our universities will rank globally," Dr. Nawaratne said.