Dissapointed over the Z- Score ? Be informed of alternative

Tertiary Education Opportunies In Sri Lanka

January 17, 2012, 12:00 pm , The Island


by Emeritus Professor Dayantha Wijeyesekera,

Chancellor University of Vocational Technology and Chairman, Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission Former Vice Chancellor University of Moratuwa and Open University of Sri Lanka.

A large number of students who sat the G.C.E. A- level examination last year must be disappointed over the Z – Score obtained for many and varied reasons. Many of them, their parents and school authorities may not be aware of the opportunities available for Tertiary Education in Sri Lanka irrespective of the Z – Score achieved at the GCE A- level, and / or GCE O- level performances. Many parents, grandparents, guardians and others of our youth are unaware of these opportunities and concentrate only on the 15 conventional universities in the country and get disappointed when their off spring fail to get admission to these universities.

Another purpose of this article would be for those in "greener pastures" to encourage and motivate those here in Sri Lanka on the above aspects, which are quite common in the countries they currently dwell. Of course an indirect purpose would be for them and those in Sri Lanka not to over-react to offer and accept costly overseas tertiary education leading to financial hardships when such opportunities are available locally unless overseas education at under graduate level is sought for some other valid reason.

Some Post Secondary school students who sought Sri Lanka University Education having sat the G.C.E. Advanced level examinations in August 2011 would be rejoicing having secured a Z score for their desired field of study and the desired university while some others would be quite disappointed at varying levels for not having secured the required Z score rating or having doubts on the results. Also there may be some who have the required entry requirements, but nevertheless would wish to pursue other alternate avenues of Tertiary and Vocational Education. Furthermore, there may be those who did not even attempt the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination, since they prefer alternative routes of Tertiary Education as some of us did in following Technical Courses soon after G.C.E.(O-level).

This message is not for a category of "Drop Outs" as I do not believe there is such a category, but to encourage and motivate the 96% (approx) of the age cohort who seek alternate routes for their career development through Tertiary Education of which university education through UGC at the Conventional Universities and their Institutes is just one of the avenues in Sri Lanka, catering only to about 4 % of the age cohort.

There has been much speculation during the months of December 2011 and January 2012 on the Z score ratings which would mainly benefit about 25000 students .who could enter conventional university system from among about 100,000 who have been reported to have secured the minimum entry requirements to enter such universities out of about 300,000.who sat for the GCE A- level last year. While the validity of the results and rankings are being challenged by many quarters, the resultant frustration which has set in, is alarming with the only benefit being that the society at large being more aware of such a Z – score rating in existence in the country.

For those who seek "University" education in Sri Lanka, they should be reminded that within the UGC, there is the Open University of Sri Lanka and also in addition there are other Universities outside the UGC established under separate Acts of Parliament such as, the University of Vocational Technology, Buddhist & Pali University of Sri Lanka, Buddhasravaka Bhiksu University, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.

In addition there are Local Degree Awarding Institutes recognized by the UGC and the Ministry of Higher Education. These are as listed below and their respective websites would give details of the Programmes of Study being offered leading to recognised accredited degrees:-

* Institute of Technological Studies

* Institute of Surveying and Mapping

* Aquinas College of Higher Studies

* National Institute of Social Development

* National Institute of Business Management

* National Institute of Fisheries and Nautical Engineering

* Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology

Diploma level Programmes of Study are offered under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development and also under Ministry of Higher Education. These are programmes leading to National Diplomas and Higher National Diplomas with career development pathways subsequently available to degree level.

Well recognized Professional Courses are also available through Member Associations of the Organization of Professional Associations (OPA). The Member Associations of the OPA which offer such courses are as listed below.

* Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka

* Sri Lanka Institute of Architects

* Sri Lanka Library Association

* Institute of Supply & Materials Management

* Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

* Pharmaceutical Society of Sri Lanka

* Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon

* Gemmologists Association of Sri Lanka

* Institute of Personnel Management, Sri Lanka

* Computer Society of Sri Lanka

* Institute of Valuers of Sri Lanka

* The Textile Institute Sri Lanka Section

* Institute Chartered Shipbrokers, Sri Lanka

* Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Sri Lanka

* Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing

* Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka

* Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrator

Of course, there are also many Private Higher Education institutes conducting relevant training programmes through Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diplomas etc of International Qualification Awarding bodies and degrees of Overseas Universities. The Academic Credibility and the Registration of such non - degree level Tertiary Education Institutes should be ascertained from the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) the details could be obtained by visiting its website www.tvec.gov.lk. Undoubtedly, obtaining such qualifications through programmes of study while being partly or fully in Sri Lanka would be of a lesser financial burden than proceeding overseas, to obtain the same qualifications.

In addition to all the above, the trend in the development of Tertiary Education and Vocational Training world over is the rapid progress and recognition of Vocational Education. In some developed countries, fields such as Law, Medicine, IT and Engineering are now categorized as Vocations. It has to be clearly understood by Post secondary School leavers, their parents, teachers and school authorities, that while graduating to obtain a degree is prestigious there are many other avenues of obtaining Professional, Technological and Vocational Qualifications which can be equally or more prestigious rather than being an "unemployed graduate" with a degree or being a frustrated secondary school student repeatedly trying to secure a place in a conventional university.

There are currently about 800 Tertiary level educational institutes maintaining the TVEC registration, with TVEC Accredited courses. The Tertiary and Vocation Education and Training opportunities through TVEC Registered and Accredited courses could be verified by visiting the TVEC website www.tvec.gov.lk through the link "Registration and Accreditation".

FIELDS OF STUDY IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS

* Agriculture Plantation and Livestock

* Languages

* Art Design and Media (Visual and Performing)

* Leather and Footwear

* Automobile Repair and Maintenance

* Marine and Nautical Science

* Aviation and Aeronautics

* Mechatronics Technology

* Building and Construction

* Medical and Health Science

* Electrical, Electronics and Telecommunication

* Metal and Light Engineering

* Finance Banking and Management

* Office Management

* Fisheries and Aquaculture

* Personal and Community Development

* Food Technology

* Printing and Packaging

* Gem and Jewellery

* Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

* Hotel and Tourism

* Textile and Garments

* Human Recourses Management

* Trainer Training

* Information Communication and Multimedia Technology

* Wood Related

Most of these courses of study are now aligned to the National Vocational Qualifications framework (NVQF) which ranges from NVQ levels 1 to 7, where level 7 is at degree level for some selected fields at the University of Vocational Technology at Ratmalana.

The TVET GUIDE 2012 presents Fields of Study as shown above, available in the Provinces of Sri Lanka in the various districts. For Human Resource Development and to be gainfully employed with career prospects for further academic advancement even upto degree level, these avenues should be explored and pursued rather than focusing only on the traditional routes some of which may be now outdated.

This is a comprehensive guide on the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Opportunities available at the Public sector and Private sector accredited training institutions also a TVEC Registered list of Private and Public Training institutes. Students can find out what Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector provides for their future career.

This Guide has three indexes which support easy access to fields of study, educational qualifications required and the institute names. The information could be searched on a provincial bas