Importance of education to future generation stressed

Beruwala special corr - B. M. Mukthar

Chief Minister of the Western Province Reginald Cooray who emphasised the importance of education to the future generation called on philanthropists and well-wishers to make a collective effort with the Government for the prosperity of the future generation especially in the field education taking Refai Hadjiar as an example.

Cooray was the Chief Guest at a function held at Maligahena Muslim Maha Vidyalaya, Beruwala where his laid the foundation stone for a three storeyed building to be built at a cost of Rs. 30 million donated by Sri Lanka Sihamani Al-Haj Z. A. M. Refai, proprietor Zam Gems Ltd., on a land of 90 perches.

Immediate step will be taken in 2008 to fill the vacancies for teachers in Tamil medium schools in the Western Province, the Chief Minister said.

The principal M. Z. M. Ashraff presided over the function.

Cooray further said that this school is fortunate enough to have a capable and talented principal.

His continuous effort has paved the way to have a new three-storeyed school building for the use of the generations to come.

Commenting on the past services of Maligahena Muslim Maha Vidyalaya the Chief Minister said that it has produced scholars and philanthropists such as Dr. A. G. Hussain Ismail, Vice Chancellor of the Eastern University and engineer Aga Bari and so many others.

Dr. A. G. Hussain Ismail, Vice Chancellor, Eastern University said that Muslim philanthropists should come forward to serve the community utilising the "Nihmath" of wealth bestowed upon them by Almighty Allah. The services rendered by Muslim leaders such as Dr. Badi-ud-din Mahmood go into history.

We hope that the name of Al-haj, Z. A. M. Refai too would be enlisted soon for his services done for the educational development of the country.

M. S. M. Aslam, member, Western Provincial Council commended the services rendered by Refai Hadjiar for the educational development of the Muslim community.

A. H. M. Fowzie, Minister of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources, A. M. Yoosuf, Member, Western Provincial Council, Hassan Fassy, Acting Chairman, UC, Beruwala, Engineer Aga Bari, Deshabandu Nowfel, S. Jabir, former Sri Lankan Ambassador in Saudi Arabia, M. A. M. Hanafi, Attorney-at-Law, Ahsan Refai and S. Subairdeen were also present.

Kaleekfathul Refaee Moulavi, Al haj A. C. Ahamed Faleel (Kasimi) administered "Dua" prayers.

Mr. A. W. M. Mihlar vice principal proposed a vote of thanks.

New public servants for Southern Province

Hemachandra Nanayakkara - Galle Group Corr.

Shan Wijayalal de Silva Chief Minister of Southern Province Law and Order and Finance on the last 22 handed over the appointment letters to 27 new Public Servants in the Galle, Matara and Hambantota Districts in the SP at the Chief Secretary's Office at the Southern Province - S. H. Dahanayake Mawatha, Galle. A. Samarasingha Chief Secretary of the SP welcomes the invitees.

Earlier Samarasingha welcomes the new public servants in the SP and advised and instructed them.

Project to upgrade under-graduate training

Prof. Wiswa Warnapala, Minister of Higher Education had a discussion recently with a high powered delegation of the World Bank led by Benoit Millot, Education Economist, South Asia Region and Ms. Naoko Ishii, Country Director for Sri Lanka.

This discussion was a result of the exercise made by the Minister to explore the possibilities of getting additional funds and other resources of the World Bank to enhance the quality and product development of the undergraduate education system in Sri Lanka.

This project will support the Government's long-term higher educational reform programs by enhancing institutional capacities to achieve greater relevance and upgrade under-graduate training.

The project will also seek to develop a funding strategy to higher educational institutes and to establish a Labour Market Observatory to determine market opportunities for graduates. It will also help to establish an independent Quality Assurance Council, under the Ministry of Higher Education.

The whole project is funded by the World Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka to the value of US $ 40 million. There are no strings attached to the financial assistance.

A Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) will be established at the national level.

Well organised units will be set up in all the universities to provide information to the National HEMIS and to improve efficiency and effectiveness of university administration.

With the broad perspective in mind, already Rs. 650 million have been provided to the universities to improve IT and English skills, Student Learning Environment (canteens, study areas, supply of drinking water etc.) and to enhance social harmony in the universities and to interact with the community.

Funds have been allocated to provide assistance to disabled students and also to increase the student enrolment in IT related study programs. Rs. 2,200 million have been granted to 27 study programs in universities and 2 other higher educational institutes on competitive basis to improve relevance and quality of under-graduate programs.

It is believed that this will act as a catalyst and improve relevance and quality of other programs as well.