Sunday, February 5, 2012
On the nature of mathematical knowledge
February 4, 2012, 4:50 pm , The Island.
For most of my long life, I believed that mathematics is the subject that gave us absolutely certain knowledge. I thought that nothing could be more certain than that two plus two are four. Then one day I read an essay titled ‘Mathematics and the Metaphysicians’ by Bertrand Russell written in 1901. In it he says that "pure mathematics consists entirely of assertions to the effect that, if such and such a proposition is true of anything, then such and such another proposition is true of that thing. It is essential not to discuss whether the first proposition is really true, and not to mention what the anything is, of which it is supposed to be true". To tell the truth, I found this very puzzling and disturbing. So I asked my mathematician friend Prof. Douglas Amarasekara to explain it to me. He told me that pure mathematics being indistinguishable from symbolic logic, Russell’s assertion made sense.
Without quite understanding what he meant, I felt reassured and was able to accept tentatively Russell’s conclusion that mathematics is "the subject in which we never know what we are talking about, nor whether what we are saying is true". I should say, however, that Russell’s definition of mathematics shook my faith in the certainty of mathematical knowledge. Matters became much worse when I subsequently read somewhere Cambridge mathematician G. H. Hardy’s nonchalant remark that "a mathematician is someone who not only does not know what he is talking about but also does not care".
If the Z-score on the basis of which students are selected to our universities is founded on mathematical concepts, and mathematics is what Russell and Hardy say it is, what can we possibly tell students (and their parents) who are struggling to come to terms with the so-called Z-score ‘imbroglio’?
Reassure
The first thing we should tell them is that unlike the ivory tower intellectual Prof. G. H. Hardy, we deeply care about their current plight and anxiety and are determined to do all that can be done to ensure justice and fair-play. Secondly, we should tell them that it is not through anybody’s fault or negligence that an absolutely reliable non-controversial method is still not available to us for selecting students to our universities. Uncertainty is a part of life we have to learn to live with. But things are not as uncertain as they appear to be at first sight.
Although humankind may not have absolutely certain knowledge, science based on mathematics has proved itself to be an enormously successful problem-solving activity. Galileo famously said that "the book of nature is written in the language of mathematics". Precisely because modern science has been so successful in changing the world by means of computers and television and jet-planes and so on, the mathematics itself underlying science has acquired great credibility. So the concept of the Z-score is not without validity.
Least unsatisfactory
The selection of students for university admission is of course not a scientific process and mathematics itself is not a branch of natural science. Whether mathematical truths are empirical in nature or are true by definition or are capable of giving us a priori insight into the structure of reality (Platonism) are unsettled issues. However that may be, the selection of students for university admission by a statistical procedure which is based on a tried and tested mathematical concept is basically a rational process. Because in fields like medicine and engineering, we are basing selection of students for university entrance entirely on written exams (no practicals, no aptitude tests, no interviews, no reports from school principals about the extra-curricular activities and attitudes of students) the Z-score is the least unsatisfactory mechanism we have for the purpose.
What the current imbroglio implies is that the use of the Z-score involves not simply an application of a formula to the raw marks obtained by students but some judgments about appropriate sampling procedures to use when applying the formula. Here, there can be legitimate differences of opinion about the sampling techniques to adopt. Predictably therefore, students who are after all, members of the ‘species’ Homo-economicus will be hell-bent on maximizing their chances of achieving their desire to enter the faculties of their choice. Therefore, they will figure out which statistical procedure maximizes their chances of gaining entry and move heaven and earth to have it accepted by the relevant authorities. In such a situation where two legitimate ways are available for processing the results to arrive at a Z-score what should be done? It seems to me that the only course open to us is to use the utilitarian principle of the greatest happiness of the greatest number.
Carlo Fonseka
Z score fiasco: FR case to be heard on Feb. 13
The Bench comprised Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake and Justices N.G. Amaratunga and K. Sripavan. Attorney J.C. Weliamuna appearing on behalf of the petitioners cited Examinations Commissioner General W.M.N.J. Pushpakumara, the University Grants Commission and Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena among the respondents. The petitioners claim that there are disparities between the district and island wide ranks in the provincial results released online. There were instances where the students had received marks for subjects they had not sat for. The authorities concerned admitted lapses and a commission was appointed to look into the matter and rectify mistakes, if any. The mistake apparently made was that the Z score calculation was made for both the new and old syllabuses taken as one. The petitioners request that the results released be declared null and void and fresh results be calculated in the correct format. -Teles Sunday Times, February 05, 2012 |
Saturday, February 4, 2012
UGC Chairman says IUSF convener is an imposter, not a student
February 3, 2012, 9:57 pm , The Island.
by Dasun Edirisinghe
The University Grants Commission yesterday announced that the Convener of the so called Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) was not a university student anymore as he had not registered for study courses after 2008 and did not sit any of the university examinations since then.
UGC Chairman Prof. Gamini Samaranayake told The Island that the IUSF convener was an imposter parading as a student and misleading university undergraduates and organizing them to cause trouble.
He said that the IUSF now controlled by the radical wing of the JVP too was not a legal students union according to the University Act.According to Prof. Samaranayake, IUSF convener who introduced himself as Sanjeewa Bandara entered the Ruhuna University’s faculty of Management and Finance on 27. 12. 2005. He entered under the name Ranhoti Bandaralage Sanjeewa Mahesh Kumara of Vihara Watte, Kotagama, Bibile under the students number MR/ 2005/ 1287.
However, his last date of registration for study course was 08. 10. 2008, Prof. Samaranayake said.
He said that not only Sanjeewa Bandara, but also last two conveners of the IUSF too did not complete their study courses, but organized students protest showing themselves as undergraduates even after ceasing to be registered students.
Prof. Samaranayake said that those so called student leaders work for the agenda of the party.
He said that the IUSF was responsible for most inhumane ragging in the universities, while any form of ragging was prohibited within universities according to the law.
"Don’t fall into IUSF’s traps. Simply shun them", the UGC Chairman advised undergrads.
When contacted by The Island IUSF Convener Sanjeewa Bandara accepted UGC Chairman’s claims.
He said that his continuing fight for rights of students was the reason to lose his studentship.
"If a monk could lead a nurses union, why can’t I lead the IUSF as an ex – student," Bandara asked.
Mismatch between students enrolling in universities and those passing out
February 3, 2012, 9:47 pm , TheIslandby Dasun Edirisinghe
Around 860,000 students enrol annually in state universities including the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), but the country produces only 13,000 graduates per year, a survey conducted by the Manpower Planning, Development and Research Division of the Department of Manpower and Employment reveals.
The study Determinants of Unemployment among Sri Lankan University Graduates has been conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Labour Relations, Ministry of Higher Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) with financial assistance from the International Labour Organisation.
It says that there are 15 public universities including nine affiliated institutions, five public institutions incorporated by Parliament Acts in Sri Lanka.
According to the report, a number of foreign universities have established local colleges in Sri Lanka, not as higher educational institutions but as Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) under the Board of Investments (BOI).In the absence of proper supervision by the UGC, official statistics on graduate output from these private institutions are difficult to verify. However, it could be concluded that including those who return after studies abroad, more than 15,000 graduates enter the Sri Lankan labour market each year, the study observes. That amount is rapidly increasing.
Education expenses have been financed and provided predominantly by the government. Quoting the Central Bank report 2010, the report says, the government expenditure on university education stood at 1.86% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
When contacted by The Island for comment, UGC Chairman Prof. Gamini Samaranayake said that the time duration of the degree courses were different and entire intake would not pass out in the same year.
"The general number that passes out in a given year is 13,000," he said.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Z Score: FR application fixed for support on Feb. 13
February 2, 2012, 9:26 pm, The Island.
By Chitra Weerarathne
The Supreme Court yesterday fixed for support on Feb. 13, 2012, with notice to respondents, the fundamental rights violation application, which has asked the court to declare null and void the Advanced Level 2011 results, already issued, and to re-issue the correct results, after re-formulating the Z-score.
The petitioners are a group of students and the Ceylon Teachers’ Union claiming that the Z score has been wrongly calculated. They have said that two syllabuses––new and old–– should be taken as distinct entities in working out the correct Z score to re-issue fresh results.
Among the respondents are the Commissioner General of Examinations, the University Grants Commission and the Attorney General.
Yesterday when the case was called before the court, the senior state counsel, Nevin Pulle said that the respondents had not been sufficiently noticed. J. C. Weliamuna, Counsel for the petitioner, said that he had already submitted the notices to the Registrar of the Court. Mr. Waliamuna appeared with Sanjeewa Kaluarachchi for the petitioner.
The court directed the Registrar to send the notices to the respondents forthwith.
The Bench comprised the Chief Justice, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, Justice N. G. Amaratunga and Justice Sripavan.
Private Medical College challenges its critics
February 2, 2012, 12:00 pm , The Island.
The South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) more popularly known as the Malabe Private Medical College yesterday urged mud-slinging and malicious medical associations not to mislead people about the status of the PMC. Its Director, Dr.Sameera Senaratna, challenged them to produce evidence as to whether the Malabe PMC was lacking any of the requirements for medical education.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) had given degree awarding status to the Malabe PMC. But in accordance with the provisions of the Sri Lanka Medical Ordinance, the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) could not register the PMC as it lacked a hospital for its students to do their clinical studies. But the PMC management was hopeful that the SLMC, under present administration, would do justice in the near future once the new 1,002 bed hospital is commissioned, Dr Senaratna told a media Conference held at PMC auditorium on January 31.
He said that some professional medical associations had been on the warpath against the PMC since its establishment because they were under the impression that a surplus of doctors would be produced by the college. They were self-centred and were hell bent on obstructing more doctors being produced by the private sector.
The Malabe PMC invited anti-Malabe PMC organizations to show the management any fault, shortcomings or lapses, then it would be able to rectify them. But instead of constructive criticism, some medical personnel had resorted to misleading people. Even medical experts’ sons and daughters were students of the Malabe PMC, he said.
PMC Chairman Dr. Nevil Fernando said that a highly sophisticated teaching hospital at a cost of Rs.1.8 billion was being constructed near the PMC. It would be opened in April 2012. The medical students of the PMC would be able to do their clinical training there. "This is not a business. I am the person who built the PMC to provide better medical education. I am not doing this for personal rewards because I am convinced that this is a very worthy cause," Dr.Fernando stressed.
He said that when a person was contributing to the welfare of the society, rival forces would try everything to nip the person’s projects in the bud. But they would one day realize the importance of the person and repent.
Already a transfer deed has been executed to bequeath the new hospital to the government after his death, Dr. Fernando said.
Governance of our universities
February 2, 2012, 7:17 pm , The Island.by Dr. Janaka Ratnasiri
Before I address the issue of governance of universities, let me make a few general remarks on the governance of the country’s public sector organisations. Sri Lanka has two systems of public sector organisations other than ministries – one referred to as departments and the other the so-called semi-government organisations. In the case of a government department, its administration rests solely on a single person serving as the Head of the Department who is also its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He is referred to by many names such as the Director General or Commissioner General or Conservator General etc. In his decision making, he is strictly governed by the government’s administrative regulations (AR) and financial regulations (FR) as well as on many financial and administrative circulars issued from time to time by the Treasury and the Public Administration (PA) Ministry, respectively. He has little discretion of his own and whatever discretion he has, he is not in a position to use it the way he wants as he is closely watched by trade unions. Generally, in most departments, the head is appointed from the ranks based on seniority unless there is compelling evidence against such an appointment.
In the case of semi-government organisations referred to generally as statutory boards and specifically as Authorities, Boards, Commissions, Corporations etc., the CEO is not the sole authority responsible for the administration of the organisation. Almost all these organisations have been established under a separate Act of Parliament which describes their mandates and objectives. The Act also provides for the appointment of a governing body responsible for its general governance and financial control. The governing body, referred to by different names such as Board of Directors, Governing Board, Management Board, Council etc., is chaired by a person specifically nominated by the Minister in charge. The attributes of the board members are also spelt out in the Act. Most of these statutory boards were established in the sixties and seventies to introduce some flexibility to the administration of government bodies with a view to improve their efficiencies without being stifled by ARs and FRs.
The appointment of the CEO is in the hands of the Minister and may or may not be appointed out of the ranks. The CEO is only a member of the board and has no powers to make decisions which is done collectively by the Board and of course guided by the Chairman. Though the Act gives the boards the necessary powers to act independently, it is customary today to seek the approval of the Ministry and even the Treasury before any decision is implemented. The smooth operation of the organisation lies to a great extent on the relationship between the Chairman and the CEO. The CEO cannot act unilaterally on any issue as he is answerable to the Board. In general, this collective decision making is a better system than what is found in departments where only a single person does all the decision making.
In universities, on the other hand, the prevailing system is quite different. Universities do have boards of management called the Councils responsible for overall administration, and another called the Senate responsible for decision making on academic matters. However, the Chairman of the Council and the CEO are one and the same person - the Vice Chancellor (VC) - a feature not found in any other organisation. The universities do have another person above the VC, that is the Chancellor, but currently his functions are limited to chairing the Annual Convocations where he gives away the degree certificates to the newly passing out graduates and garlanding them. He does not play any role in any decision making activity, not even in any advisory capacity. Thus, the VC has the total control of all university affairs including those of the students. By any standard, this system cannot be accepted as satisfactory and it should be rectified by bringing the decision making process in universities to fall in line with that of the other public sector organisations. It is not difficult to do this change even now as the universities already have the Chancellor and this change could be done simply by making the Chancellor the Chairman of the Council. If any amendments to the Act or regulations need to be done to effect such a change, I believe there should be no barrier for that. Such a change could bring about a more balanced decision making process acceptable to everybody concerned, minimising conflict situations in our universities. In the future, cognizance may be made on this new role of a Chancellor when appointing them.
According to recent media reports, there have been student agitations in several universities on a wide range of issues. In some of these, students have taken to the road voicing their protests against the VCs. At least in one university, the VC has been debarred from taking any policy decision for which a separate committee has been appointed by higher authorities. It is obvious that there has been a breakdown of the trust placed by students on the VC and it is important that this should be restored to ensure smooth operation of universities. Many of the ills prevailing in universities could be avoided by separating out the VC’s functions as the CEO of the university and his decision making function as the Council Chairman. Student protests against the university system including VCs are of course not something new, and these used to come up from time to time even from the time of the first Sri Lankan VC – Sir Nicholas Attygalle. Incidentally, he too was known to govern the University with an iron fist.
In addition to the above anomaly, there is another serious matter that could cause the prevailing loss of trust in the VCs; that is the current procedure adopted for the appointment of a VC. Out of the candidates nominated or who submit applications for the post of a VC when it falls vacant and advertised, the Council selects three persons suitable for the post and forwards their names to higher authorities for the final selection. While there are strict guidelines laid out for the initial selection, there are no such guidelines prescribed for the final selection. A question that would come up in the minds of any right thinking person is what justification is there to depend on a political authority to do the final selection of a VC. Why cannot the Council itself do the final selection based solely on the merits of the candidate – both academic and humane - rather on extraneous factors?
I am sure if the person appointed as VC is someone whom the students could look up to, many of the problems that plague our universities would not come up. However, even if the best person is appointed in the manner adopted at present, he or she has little acceptance as the best person, particularly by students who will see the new VC as a political appointee rather than as a respected academic. Such a perception of a VC does not do any good to the system or to the person himself. It only undermines the credibility of the person however good the person is. In the event of a crisis, everyone concerned – academics, non-academics, students and others – will certainly listen to a person who could stand on his own feet rather than to a person who has received state patronage.
Currently, Sri Lanka is at the receiving end of international criticism in many fronts ranging from alleged war crimes to suppression of media freedom. To those elements who wish to damage the image of Sri Lanka, any interference in the appointment of a VC by the Head of State may also appear as suppression of academic freedom, and they will not hesitate to add this to the list of alleged crimes against the society. I believe anywhere in the democratic world, the selection of a person for appointment as the VC is a task carried out solely by the university and nowhere by a head of state as done here. Hence, sooner this procedure is done away with the better it is for the system and for the country.
Let the Council alone decide the most suitable person for appointment as the VC, judging solely on the merits. Such a VC appointed through accepted procedure could then earn the respect from all quarters – academics (both local and international), non-academics, students and the community. It is the only way the government could restore the dignity of the VC’s position. A VC held in high esteem will certainly be able to avoid any conflict situation in universities which has been a bane in the country erupting from time to time in recent times. The government, too, should have faith in such a system and I am sure that any person so selected as the VC will serve the university, community and the country with equal loyalty to the government as one appointed under the current system.
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