Developing vocational technology through university education

by Vidya Jyothi Emeritus Prof.Dayantha Wijeyesekera

The Chancellor’s Address at the First Convocation of the University of Vocational Technology

"The Chancellor’ Address is to illustrate the concept and objectives of the respective university and thereafter to indicate the progress and development each year of the university.

It has been my privilege to initiate through a committee, the drafting of the Parliamentary Bill for the University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC) during the period 2004/2005 when I was the Secretary of the Ministry.

The committee was fortunate that the establishment of such a university had been the vision quite rightly in the manifestos of all three major political parties before the last general election.

In Sri Lanka, as in most countries, tertiary education is available through three different systems.

Firstly, through the conventional or traditional systems, secondly, through open and distance learning, commonly known as distance education and thirdly, through competence-based learning and assessment, all based on specific qualification frameworks and credit systems.

Conventional universities

While the two former systems are well established in Sri Lanka through the 15 conventional universities, degree awarding institutes and other higher education institutes together with open and distance learning through the Open University of Sri Lanka more recently through other higher education institutes, the advent of the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) framework has paved the way to a pathway leading to a Vocational Technology Degree from the UNIVOTEC.

Furthermore, the UNIVOTEC offers a lateral entry pathway for those with middle level technological qualifications, either to obtain with further studies a degree in technology or a degree in education in technology, which are being conferred to many of you this afternoon. On this particular degree I will dwell some more in detail later.

At this stage, it may be relevant to clarify the difference between a university of technology and a university of vocational technology. There are many universities of technology spread throughout the world.

It was my privilege to confirm my impression of the difference just a few weeks ago, when I visited an overseas university of technology which had its humble beginning similar as the Institute of Practical Technology at Katubedda, half a century ago in 1962, and is now the highly ranked conventional University of Moratuwa offering degrees on the Science of Engineering.

Tertiary education

There are others who maintain its technological and vocational character and are awarding tertiary education degrees in some countries and such degrees are in great demand.

Hence developing countries such as ours need both types, one essentially for research, design and development and the other for practical applications, production and field work.

Hence, the country has met a long-felt need in the establishment of UNIVOTEC in 2008, a university through a non-traditional system, much needed to meet the development challenges of the country.

It is in this context that I wish to address the staff, students and well-wishers of UNIVOTEC on the importance of maintaining the unique characteristics and objectives of the university without compromising on any of them to align the university to a conventional university as it will be counter-productive, but retaining its uniqueness not only would it meet the needs of the country, but also could be the leading vocational technological university in the country.

Vocational training is an area which President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken a great interest in and given an impetus towards its development; the Minister and the Deputy Minister are continuing the same interest with much diligence.

The next focus I wish to make would be the roles which can be played by the graduates today receiving the Bachelor of Education degree in Technology, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. The B.Ed. (Tech) degree has many roles at various levels and in all parts of the country.

The proposed GCE “A-level” Technology stream is yearning for technical teachers to implement the same satisfactorily and effectively. There are the technical and vocational education and training centres at different levels requiring the services of these graduates.

At a time when the NVQ system does not demand the cognitive knowledge of its trainees to be as high as the GCE O/A Level at craft level, today’s graduates would have a very vital role to play to raise the cognitive ability of the trainees as they proceed to NVQ 5.6 and 7 levels to acquire diploma and degree qualifications.

These graduates have great potential to carry out research in technical education, how such education could be further developed to be relevant to the needs of the country and overseas.

Hence, it is imperative that those involved in the development, governance, management and administration of this unique university constantly remind themselves of the objects and powers of the university.

Objectives

These are to;

* Assist in the progressive development of students in technical and vocational education and training system, based on their aptitudes and abilities to acquire a university education;

* Provide pedagogical training for those undergoing training while serving in the technical and vocational education sector and industry;

* Assist in the development of course curricula for technical and vocational education and training;

* Provide courses of study for middle level technical personnel having qualifications acceptable for admission to the university;

* Provide courses of study for those with national vocational qualifications to upgrade their competency and acquire academic qualifications;

* Provide extension courses on continuous professional development; and

* Provide extension services to the public including institutions, in the construction, manufacturing and service sectors.

Having highlighted these important factors in the establishment and continuity of this university, let me thank the President for having appointed me as the head of the university in the Office of Chancellor and assure that with the assistance and direction of the Minister in charge of the subject, assure to make every effort towards its development and recognition.

This to be achieved through potential links with national and international professional bodies and accords, enhancing the stature of the university through linkages with other universities local and overseas also with interaction with professional bodies and industry undertaking research and consultancy and promoting continuous professional development.

Hence, it is with a deep sense of satisfaction and delight, as the head of the university I wish to congratulate those who graduate at this convocation, express gratitude to those who made their success possible and above all appreciate all those who contributed to the establishment of this innovative and industry-based university for vocational technology and those who continue to endeavour to preserve and enhance the aims of the university.

I wish the objectives of the university be further strengthened to meet the needs of the industry and the TVET sector and all success to the staff, graduands and students.”