University intake increased to 27,000

Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake said that the university intake has been increased to 27,000 from 9000 in 2005. This is a two hundred and eighty eight percent increase when compared to 2005.

The Minister was speaking at the opening of the Leadership Training and Positive Thinking Development Program for university entrants at the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Training School, Gannoruwa on Friday. The residential training program conducted by the Higher Education Ministry and the University Grants Commission under the guidance of the Defence Ministry aims at creating knowledgeable and visionary leaders.

The Minister said that only 150,000 students have passed the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination, out of 350,000. Of these 27,000 students will be admitted to 17 universities this year. Steps have been taken to develop infrastructure facilities in all universities to cater to the increased intake.

Peradeniya, Ruhuna and Uva Wellassa universities were geared for the increased intake. Vidyalankara and Vidyodhaya Pirivenas were upgraded to Kelaniya and Jayewardenepura universities in the late 1950s. Meanwhile the Higher Education Ministry has signed an agreement with a Singapore company to construct 36 hostels in universities. The aim of the Government is to provide opportunities to all students to pursue higher education. At present, nearly 5000 to 6,000 students go abroad annually for higher education. This trend should be discouraged by bringing local universities to the standard of high ranking universities, he said. One of the major goals of the "Mahinda Chintana Vision for the Future" is to make Sri Lanka a knowledge hub, the Minister said.

Minister Dissanayake said at present the world is in rapid transition. Nearly 700,000 employment opportunities are available in the private sector, therefore a graduate who could add value to the job market should be produced. We don't need university students to merely praise the Government's achievements since we don't drag students into politics. Our aim is to produce a qualified graduate who could be a valuable asset to the country, he said.

UK