University education is 4 years behind: Minister Premajayantha
Minister of Science, Technology & Research, Premajayantha said that, today, 6,500 undergraduates from 8 Faculties and 800 SAITM students, unaware of their fate, are on the road, not attending lectures, which means University education is 4 years behind.
"It is the responsibility of all including the Govt, to solve this problem," adding that, if he was there, he knows how to handle this situation. He was addressing Researchers of the University of Peradeniya ( UoP) at the 4th Research Congress of he Postgraduate Institute of Science, held at Earl's Regency, Getambe.
The Minister said it is time we knew how many Academics and others are needed by 2020, 2025 so that, the country's needs could be met. He added that, when he was Education Minister there was a move to set up a Medical College in Piliyandala, which he refused.
The Minister said it is the Govt's duty to strengthen State Universities, so that the real meaning of Free Education could be fulfilled.
The Minister said it is time the STEM Education concept is implemented in the country's Education system, for the competitive high end job market He called upon the PostGraduate Institute of Science ( PGIS) to focus on popularising STEM Education in the country.
The Minister further said that, for the Technological development of any country, it is necessary to have Scientists with up to date fundamental Scientific knowledge. The Institute of Fundamental Studies and PGIS have been established to fulfill this need.
Nevertheless, the Minister said that more opportunities have to be made available to train young Scientists in recognised international Research Institutes, and support Research collaborations between such Institutes and local Institutes.
Professor John Smol- Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change and Professor of Biology at Queens's University, Canada, delivered the Keynote address .
Among those present were members of the PGIS, UoP Vice Chancellor ( VC) Prof Upul B. Dissanayake and UoP Deputy VC Prof Lakshman Wijeweera