World Uni rankings: Colombo, Peradeniya, Moratuwa Lanka's best
According to the Ministry of Higher Education the world rankings of Sri Lankan universities are as under.
The University of Colombo followed by Peradeniya and Moratuwa hold the best rankings.
University of Colombo- 2,146, University of Peradeniya- 2,479, University of Moratuwa2,497, University of Sri Jayewardenepura -3,091 University of Kelaniya 3,194, University of Ruhuna 3,483, University of Jaffna- 7,225, Open University of Sri Lanka (SL)- 5,989, University of Rajarata- 8,995, University of Sabaragamuwa10,799, Eastern University of SL- 11,154, University of Wayamba- 11,793, University of Uva Wellassa- 14,725, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture- 15,632, Postgraduate Institute of Science- 15,352, Southeastern University of SL8,324, Buddhist and Pali University of SL- 16,870, University of the Visual & Performing Arts of SL15,691, and Bhiksu University of SL- 21,912.
Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships 2015-16, were last week awarded to 150 Advanced Level (A/L) students from 25 Districts.
Inaugurated in 2006-07, the Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship awarded by the Indian High Commission (IHC) in cooperation with the Education Ministry of Sri Lanka (SL), is a 'Merit-cum-Means' based annual Scholarship for SL students. Recipients receive cash assistance during their two-year stay. The IHC has increased the monthly scholarship stipend from LKR 2,000 to 2,500 from this year onwards. The 150 students, 6 each from 25 Districts, were selected by a joint selection committee of officials from the IHC and the SL Education Ministry. The selection process is based on performance at the O/L exams and an interview. In addition, the students will be eligible to apply for various undergraduate scholarships and self-financed schemes awarded by the Indian government, to enrol in reputed institutes and universities in India.
The Scholarship awards ceremony took place at the Education Ministry on Monday (20), with Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and IHC Y.K. Sinha in attendance.
New Delhi based UNESCO Director & Representative to Bhutan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka, Shigeru Aoyagi was on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka recently, to meet with government officials and discuss the Organisation’s activities in the country. In an interview with the Education Times, Mr. Aoyagi spoke of the Sri Lankan Education Sector and the changes needed in this Information Communication Technology (ICT) age.
Following are excerpts of the interview:
UNESCO appreciates achievements Sri Lanka has made in the Education Sector over the years. In terms of Literacy, Accessibility to Education, Girls' Education, etc, it has been very high in comparison with other SA countries. Sri Lanka is also a model case in the region, especially, in the area of Accessibility to Education. As far as Sri Lanka is concerned, Literacy is not an issue, but the Quality of Education. I had a very good meeting with the Education Minister of and the Education Ministry Secretary, and their concern is the continuity of Education in the upper Grades. I was told that, from Ordinary Level (O/L) to Advanced Level (A/L), the retention rate is not very high. This really is an issue of the Quality of Education. The Equality of Education is heavily dependent on the quantity of teachers. I understand, Sri Lanka has a very good institute called the National Institute of Education (NIE) under which is the SA Teacher Development Centre, which is recognised by UNESCO. Hence, we are also involved in this area.
One of the things this country can look at is how they can incorporate ICT into Education. Under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) adopted by the UN in 2015, SDG IV focuses on Education. It aims at or ensures equitable Quality Education for all. SDG IV is comprehensive and, among others, it emphasises that Focus of Education be directed towards SD, as well as Education for global citizenry. The subject of SD Education is a new concept, especially in the SA region. Sri Lanka is in the process of Education Reforms and it would be appropriate to include ICT Education and SDGs into these reforms.
It’s totally up to the country. We recommend to countries to have Free and Compulsory Primary and Secondary Education, while Sri Lanka is trying to go a step further, which is a very good thing. An Education paradigm shift is ongoing. In the past, the role of Education was to transmit values of culture and of society from one generation to another. In the 19th century, with the industrial revolution, the aim of Education transformed to address Economic needs. At the time, the aim of the Education Process was to produce productive labour forces and increase productivity. Now we face the ICT age. The nature of advancement of ICT is changing the Education landscape at a very rapid pace. The world itself is a very big classroom nowadays. Knowledge itself is everywhere. Education can take place anywhere, anytime at the learners pace, and has gone way beyond traditional and conventional methods of school and campus based education. Education itself has to cope with these rapid changes. Along with the paradigm shift in the Education Sector, the role of the teacher is also changing. In the past, the role of the teacher was to just transmit knowledge and information to students. It was one way of communication. But, in this one gigantic classroom of today, the teachers role should be that of a Facilitator of Education. There should be non formalization of formal Education. Students are catching up fast, but teachers are a little slower. Teacher development courses have very conventional ways of teaching, not only in Sri Lanka, but all over the world. This must change.
Our activity is not project based. Our intervention is more in policy-making matters, by providing policy advice to Education authorities and working with them to develop new ideas for the training of teachers, curriculum development etc. We also encourage member States to incorporate changes to the Education Systems, based on the SDGs. Also, UNESCO is working with the SAARC Secretariat to develop a framework of action for all SAARC countries to achieve all the SDGs on Education by 2030, and we would like Sri Lanka to take a lead in this.
In addition, National Schools have been allocated Rs 5,348 million, in addition to a separate allocation for equipment, all of which will be expended under the direct supervision of the Education Ministry.
Additional Secretary- Education Ministry, Senani Hewage said that, due to the earlier disagreement from certain PCs, Education Minister Akila Vi r a j Kariyawasam sought Cabinet approval for an MoU on the allocations with the PCs, to resolve the issue.
He said 30% of the allocations have been released to the respective PCs, while the rest will be released subject to progress made.
The allocations are for the construction of teachers' quarters, rest rooms, sanitary and water facilities, electricity and upgrading school facilities.