ADYAPANA 2014 with LECS, Higher Education Ministry and S. Thomas College
Absence of Private Universities Act stifling Sri Lanka’s progress - govt.

February 19, 2014, 9:31 pm , The Island



by Zacki Jabbar

At the ADYAPANA 2014 launch: From left, Senior Manager LECS, Husnie Rauf, General Manager LECS,Aasim Mukthar,

Treasurer S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia Old Boys Association, Shanil Jayasekara, Warden, S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, Prof. Indra de Soysa, Ministry of Higher Education Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne, Managing Director LECS, Arjun Dharmadasa and Mohammed Isthiquar, Business Development Manager, BCAS Campus - Gold Sponsor.

Sri Lanka has the potential to become a hub for educational excellence, but its inability to introduce a Higher Education Act with provision to regulate private universities was a huge drawback, a senior government official said.

Higher Education Ministry Secretary Sunil Jayantha Navaratne, addressing the launch of ADYAPANA 2014, at the Cinnamon Grand  last week, lamented that disruptive forces including the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) were preventing the New Higher Education Act which had already been drafted from  becoming law.

Asked how  Sri Lanka could become a hub of educational excellence when the Malabe Private Medical College (MPMC) was unable to function even many years after it had been issued a licence, Navaratne replied that initially there had been a drawback as the college did not have a hospital of its own, but that had been overcome and it was now ready to offer  medical degrees. "The GMOA has been unreasonably opposing the MPMC. Around 15,000 students go abroad annually for higher studies. The establishment of private universities will help save valuable foreign exchange. The Pali University has been able to attract around 1,000 foreign students. This shows that if the right environment and necessary laws are in place, we could become an international hub for educational excellence." 

When pointed out that there were many other organisations apart from the GMOA which opposed private universities, Navaratne said: "Protests are to be expected in a democracy, but we will overcome them and establish more seats of higher learning. The media has a crucial role to play in changing negative perceptions."

ADYAPANA 2014 organised by the Presidential Award winner Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS),in collaboration with the Higher Education Ministry, is scheduled to be held for the ninth consecutive year from September 26 to 28 at the BMICH. The S. Thomas College Old Boys’ Association teamed up with the exhibition from last year. The Batticaloa Edition has been fixed for later this year. ADYAPANA KALVI was conducted in Jaffna last month.

S. Thomass College Warden Prof. Indra De Soysa said that flexibility was the key to progress."ADYAPANA with a wide range of courses to offer, would not only provide the much needed flexibility that school leavers looked for, but also provide them with career guidance counselling."

Managing Director of LECS Arjun Dharmadasa said that they were confident of attracting students from many countries including the Maldives to the exhibition which would be held immediately after the conclusion of the GCE A/L. "It provides immediate higher education opportunities. Around 12,000 students visited ADYAPANA last year. There were well over 150 stalls displaying information of various courses, student programmes, higher education options and job opportunities. Despite the high level of competition and options available in the field of education, many students have continuously patronised our fair which has helped them pursue their visions successfully."

General Manager of LECS, Asim Mukthar noted that the Exhibition would feature specific pavilions for visiting universities and special sessions by top professionals focused on students and their career decisions.

ADYAPANA has through the years built a reputation of having one of the highest student turnover rates, he said. This year’s event will comprise many other attractions focused on the growing student population and provide the visitors with value additions, he added

Undergrads build up protest momentum

February 17, 2014, 10:11 pm , the island

By Dasun Edirisinghe

Undergraduates from all universities have planned protests in Galle and Colombo today and on Feb. 20 against reducing the Allied Health Sciences (AHS) degree programme from four years to three and disrupting their agitations.

Addressing a media conference in Colombo yesterday, Convener of the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF), Najith Indika said that AHS students attached to the Karapitiya Medical Faculty had been staging a sathyagraha against the reduction of the duration of their degree course opposite the Galle bus stand and it would reach the 50th day today.

"We have organised a protest in Galle to coincide with our Sathyagraha entering its 50th day," he said, adding that the university authorities had not yet heeded the pleas of AHS undergraduates.

Indika said that another sathyagraha was being held at the Galaha Junction by the AHS undergraduates of the Peradeniya University.

The protesters have also organised a protest march to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and a demonstration on Thursday (20).

He said they would not give up the ongoing sathyagraha opposite the Rajarata University in Mihintale against the suspension of 27 undergraduates.

Are Our Universities Keeping Out Our Best?

February 16, 2014 | Filed under: Colombo Telegraph,Opinion | Posted by: COLOMBO_TELEGRAPH

By Arul K. Selvaratnam -

At a time when our universities badly lack qualified staff and are trying to rebuild themzelves, a Selection Committee meeting on Jan. 30 2014 found Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole unqualified for the post of Professor of Computer Science on all the measures specified by the UGC’s Circular 916. So says the report of the Selection Committee consisting of  Prof. V. Arasaratnam (VC), Prof. S. Srisatkunarajah (Dean/Science), Dr. E.V.A. Charles (Head/CS), Prof. N.D. Kodikara of Colombo  and Prof. N.G.J. Dias of Moratuwa (Senate Nominees), Prof. Mrs. Pushpa Wijekoon of Peradeniya and Prof. D.D.S. Kulatunga of Kelaniya (UGC Nominees) and Mr. P. Thyagarajah and Mr. M. Balasubramaniam (Council Nominees). Their minute to the University of Jaffna’s Council on 8 February reads that they do not recommend his appointment because he has not, to quote exactly, “obtained required minimum marks for teaching, scholarship & Academic development and Contribution to University and National/International development.”

Prof S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole

This is impossible say Prof. Hoole’s students: “Peradeniya assessed him as passing on the same measures 15 years ago. He has earned many more points since and even more in the last three years since his application. London saw fit to give him its D.Sc. degree. The IEEE made him a Fellow, the first from Sri Lanka. He has taught computer science at major US research universities. He was University of Jaffna’s, Eastern University’s and South Eastern University’s moderator and external examiner in Computer Science. To check I googled “Google Scholar Hoole.” This independent web site tracking research output lists 861 citations for him. At the 0.5 point per citation under Commission Circular 916 on recruitment of professors, this gives him 430.5 points for just one measure in the scheme of recruitment while the total required for all together in a successful application is 115! How can he fail on all measures?

The Council minute shows Prof. Hoole’s self-assessment in the three areas of assessment, namely 1) Teaching scholarship and Academic Development 2)Research, Scholarship and Creative Work and 3) Contribution to University and National Development, to be 50, 261.25 and 44, respectively.

A very upset Jaffna University academic had this to say: “We rely on the Council and the Selection Committee to check there is no wrong-doing by the administration. But here, senior responsible persons from the entire system are endorsing wrong doing and giving it the cover of respectability through their signatures. It then makes administrative manipulation more difficult to challenge. With such a big discrepancy I wish someone on the Council had queried how that was. They have failed us.” He pointed to International Development, not seen anywhere in Circular 916, as an additional requirement the system has required of Prof. Hoole.

According to Prof. Carlo Fonseka (“Returned academic excellence vs entrenched academic mediocrity,” Island, May 12, 2011) the President in 2010 ordered Prof. Hoole’s appointment and his wife’s at Jaffna and the UGC then asked Jaffna to advertise the post. The Hooles applied early in 2011. Mrs. Hoole was summoned to an interview last year and she came all the way from the US. She was not selected allegedly for not having the required points. It is said that they fiddled her categorization between internal candidate and external to disqualify her although she could have fitted under either.

Prof. Hoole himself was summoned at the end of January, three years after his application technically expired under UGC Circular 699 as amended by Circular 732. Is it a coincidence that the closing date for VC applications was Feb. 12? Contacted by email for this piece, Prof. Hoole wrote: “I only want to say that after my wife’s experience I did not want to cancel my classes and run suddenly for the interview. So I asked for a Skype interview. I was then asked to be ready between 10 AM and 2:30 PM which was 11 PM to 4:00 AM in the US.  I waited in front of my computer all dressed up and went to bed at 4:30 when there was no call. I understand the committee dispersed in a few minutes and left without a message to me to go to bed. I wish we can cultivate greater courtesy towards people. The system will automatically get better.”

A student , now a senior engineer, was very sad: “I was in Trincomalee when the war and curfews prevented my admission letter from being delivered. I was denied admission because of being late. Prof. Hoole, a total stranger, befriended me, fought for me, took me to his home in Colombo to meet some pressmen and got my story published in the newspapers.  The authorities had to change their mind. I am an engineer today because of him. We need academics like him to be our role models.”

Prof. Carlo Fonseka in his article admits to encouraging the Hooles to return and explains, “In a system with many mediocrities those of exceptional quality make the mediocre look ugly! So the mediocrities do their damndest to eliminate the truly exceptional.”

FUTA Condemns Amendment Made To The University Act By An Extraordinary Gazette

February 7, 2014 | Filed under: Colombo Telegraph,News,STORIES | Posted by: COLOMBO_TELEGRAPH

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) has condemned the latest amendment to the University Act No. 16 pf 1978. FUTA points out that through this amendment, which was published as an amendment to an extraordinary gazette on 31.01.2014 the higher education institutions granting professional degrees in fields such as medicine, engineering, architecture has a discretionary right to obtain a compliance certificate from professional bodies dealing with the respective fields.

Prof. Carlo Fonseka

FUTA points out that in this scenario the Sri Lanka Medical Council which has the mandate to uphold and quality and standards of medical education would not have the power to regulate the content of education that is being offered at these non-state institutions. Interestingly an extra ordinary gazette which was amended had made it mandatory for private institutions to obtain certificates of compliance from professional bodies responsible for the discipline. The amendment to the extraordinary gazette which was issued in January this year has taken out such obligations. This action will severely erode the standards of medical education in Sri Lanka and could eventually compromise the wellbeing of the health sector and the lives of the people of this country.

Read the gazette ; 2013 Amendment and 2014 Amendment
We publish below the FUTA General Secretary’s letter to Prof. Carlo Fonseka;
07.02.2014

Prof. Carlo Fonseka, President,
Sri Lanka Medical Council, 31, Norris Canal road, Colombo 10.

Dear Sir,

Power and Responsibility of Sri Lanka Medical Council to protect the standards of Medical Education

We, representing more than 95% of the members of the academic community of Sri Lankan state universities, are gravely concerned about the recent amendment made to the Universities Act which has specific consequences for medical education.

The amendment made to the University Act no 16 of 1978 by means of Gazette notification published on 31st January 2014 is as follows:

An amendment was made to the section 31 of the RULES made under Section 137 read with Section 70 C and 70 D of the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978, by the Secretary to the Ministry of the Minister assigned the subject of Higher Education being the Specified Authority appointed under Section 70 B of the aforesaid Act.

Previous – Extra ordinary Gazette No. 1824/21 – on 22.08.2013

31. All Non-State Institutes which have been recognized as Degree Awarding Institutes in pursuance to the Report made to the Minister by the Specified Authority under Section 70 C of the Act and which offer study programmes leading to Degrees in Medicine, Engineering, Architecture and other similar professional Degrees shall, obtain compliance certification from the relevant Specified Professional Body and shall submit such certification to the Specified Authority.

Amendment – Extra ordinary Gazette No. 1847/56 – on 31.01. 2014

31. All Non State Institutes recognized as degree awarding Institutes in pursuance to the reports made to the Minister by the Specified Authority under Section 70C of the Act and which offer study programmes leading to Degrees in Medicine, Engineering, Architecture and other similar professional Degrees also may seet* compliance certificates from respective professional bodies.

According to this amendment the pre-requisite of all non state institutes recognized as degree awarding institutes to obtain a compliance certificates from professional bodies has become discretionary. Consequently, the Sri Lanka Medical Council, which has been mandated to uphold the quality and standards of medical education, will no longer have the power to regulate the quality of medical education. It is our view that this is a serious blow to ensuring educational standards within non-state institutions.

It is our firm belief that professional bodies established under acts of parliament for the purpose of setting standards and marinating professional integrity in their respective areas should continue to fulfill their role without obstruction and interference.

We wish to bring to your attention section 19 (e) of the Medical Ordinance. This section clearly denotes that the Medical Council is the body designated to maintain minimum standards of Medical Education including standards relating to courses of study, examinations, staff, equipment, accommodation, training and other facilities at universities and other institutions which grant or confer any qualification which entitles a person to obtain registration under the ordinance. However, this power of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (as well as other professional bodies) has been undermined through the above mentioned amendment to the University Act.

It is worth emphasising that the Medical Council has the power to make representations to the Government on any matter connected with the medical profession in Sri Lanka in accordance with section 12 (3) of the Medical Ordinance. Yet, we believe amendments which have serious consequences for upholding the standards of the medical profession are being made without consultation with the Sri Lanka Medical Council.
Hence, we urge the Sri Lanka Medical Council to seriously consider this matter and to take all necessary and appropriate actions to challenge the said amendment and to protect the standards of medical education in this country. We pledge our fullest support to the Council in this regard as part of our efforts to protect the standards and quality of state education in Sri Lanka.

Thank You,
Yours Faithfully,

Dr. Rohan Fernando – General Secretary/FUTA

 *as in the Gazette, probably a printing mistake for ‘seek’. 

FUTA expresses ‘grave concern’ over recent amendment to Universities Act

February 8, 2014, 6:32 pm 

Dr. Rohan Fernando, SundayIsland

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) expressed grave concerned over the recent amendment made to the Universities Act which, it pointed out, has specific consequences for medical education.

FUTA General Secretary, Dr. Rohan Fernando says in a communiqué to SLMC President, Prof. Carlo Fonseka:

"The amendment made to the University Act No. 16 of 1978 by means of Gazette notification published on 31st January 2014 is as follows:

"An amendment was made to the section 31 of the RULES made under Section 137 read with Section 70 C and 70 D of the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978, by the Secretary to the Ministry of the Minister assigned the subject of Higher Education being the Specified Authority appointed under Section 70 B of the aforesaid Act.

"Previous - Extra ordinary Gazette No. 1824/21 – on 22.08.2013

31. All Non-State Institutes which have been recognized as Degree Awarding Institutes in pursuance to the Report made to the Minister by the Specified Authority under Section 70 C of the Act and which offer study programmes leading to Degrees in Medicine, Engineering, Architecture and other similar professional Degrees shall, obtain compliance certification from the relevant Specified Professional Body and shall submit such certification to the

Specified Authority.

"Amendment - Extra ordinary Gazette No. 1847/56 – on 31.01. 2014

31. All Non State Institutes recognized as degree awarding Institutes in pursuance to the reports made to the Minister by the Specified Authority under Section 70C of the Act and which offer study programmes leading to Degrees in Medicine, Engineering, Architecture and other similar professional Degrees also may seet* compliance certificates from respective professional

bodies. (*as in the Gazette, probably a printing mistake for ‘seek’)

"According to this amendment, the pre-requisite of all non-state institutes recognized as degree awarding institutes to obtain a compliance certificates from professional bodies has become discretionary.

"Consequently, the Sri Lanka Medical Council, which has been mandated to uphold the quality and standards of medical education, will no longer have the power to regulate the quality of medical education. It is our view that this is a serious blow to ensuring educational standards within non-state institutions.

"It is our firm belief that professional bodies established under acts of parliament for the purpose of setting standards and marinating professional integrity in their respective areas should continue to fulfill their role without obstruction and interference.

"We wish to bring to your attention section 19 (e) of the Medical Ordinance. This section clearly denotes that the Medical Council is the body designated to maintain minimum standards of Medical Education including standards relating to courses of study, examinations, staff, equipment, accommodation, training and other

facilities at universities and other institutions which grant or confer any qualification which entitles a person to obtain registration under the ordinance. However, this power of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (as well as other professional bodies) has been undermined through the above mentioned amendment to the University

Act.

"It is worth emphasising that the Medical Council has the power to make representations to the Government on any matter connected with the medical profession in Sri Lanka in accordance with section 12 (3) of the Medical Ordinance. Yet, we believe amendments which have serious consequences for upholding the standards of the medical profession are being made without consultation with the Sri Lanka Medical Council.

"Hence, we urge the Sri Lanka Medical Council to seriously consider this matter and to take all necessary and appropriate actions to challenge the said amendment and to protect the standards of medical education in this country. We pledge our fullest support to the Council in this regard as part of our efforts to protect the standards and quality of state education in Sri Lanka".

Notice issued on VC of Sri Jayewardenepura University

February 6, 2014, 9:50 pm , the island

By Chitra Weerarathne

The Court of Appeal yesterday issued notice on Vice Chancellor of the Sri Jayewardenepura University Professor L. M. N. A. Karunaratne, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Professor C. L. K. Navaratne and 18 other respondents, ordering them to be present in Court or be represented by a lawyer on March 11, 2014.

The aforesaid notice was in respect of a Writ Application filed by a student, Ven. Kimbulawe Chandrarathana Thera.

The petitioner student has said that his studentship was cancelled by letter dated January 24, 2013 from the Vice Chancellor, who had said that the petitioner had been found guilty of assaulting the Head of the University and some staff members. The VC cancelled the studentship of the student monk, the petition says. But, he was allowed to sit the final year examination in February 2013.

The results of the other students were released. But, the results of the petitioner has not been released.

The petitioner has requested the Court to quash the cancellation of his studentship. He has said that the disciplinary board had not allowed him the right to explain his position.

The petitioner has also requested the Court to order the respondents to release his results.

Wijedasa Rajapakshe P.C. appeared for the petitioner.

Higher Education Ministry goes for two novel concepts

by Uditha Kumarasingh Sundayobserver

The Higher Education Ministry will introduce two novel concepts named student-outcome based education and student-centred learning in 15 universities from this month to produce skilled graduates with theoretical and practical knowledge to suit the present day needs. 

The Ministry will conduct a dialogue among university professors and lecturers to implement these concepts. An Inter-University Academic Program Conversion Competition will also be conducted among university departments and faculties to seek proposals to make this endeavour a success, Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

On a directive by Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake, the three departments which present the best project proposals will be selected from each university and each department will be given a cash prize of one million rupees.

Five million rupees will be given to the faculty selected from each university which presents the best proposal. In addition, the best university selected under this program will be given Rs. 10 million, he said. Dr. Nawaratne said the key component of the student outcome-based education is to shift the present paradigm of input-based education to outcome based education. 

The present teacher-centered teaching system will be shifted to student-centered learning. Guidelines have been given to each department and faculty in universities to compile a graduate profile. 

The aim of the Ministry is to produce skilled graduates with theoretical and practical knowledge by developing their communication skills, team work, confidence, innovativeness and decision-making. The classroom environment in universities will be subjected to a comprehensive change. 

Each classroom in universities will be given a multimedia projector and a laptop computer to help students do their power-point presentations. According to the student-centered learning program, university teachers would become students’ mentors or guides