Bill to regulate, monitor non-State universities, affiliated colleges: CB to House

A Bill for the regulation and monitoring of non-State universities and affiliated colleges is under consideration, the Central Bank (CB) said in a recent report.

The Bill will contain an amendment to section 147 of the Universities Act, by adding a definition to “Higher Education Institute”, to allow for non-State universities.

The proposed act will contain provisions to facilitate institutional and academic review, monitor sustainability, financial viability, management transparency, teaching methodology, quality of the evaluation system and lecturers’ qualifications, the CB said in the report presented to Parliament recently.

“In addition, amendments are proposed to the Universities Act No.16 of 1978 to be more specific about prohibitions imposed on institutions awarding any Degree or academic distinctions, other than authorised universities,” the report on recent Economic Developments states.

The Report which contains the highlights of 2013 and prospects for 2014, states that private sector participation in the higher education sector has to be encouraged through proper regulatory measures, for Sri Lanka to emerge as a Knowledge hub.

Meanwhile, in 2013, the University Grants Commission approved 9 new graduate Degree programmes and 15 new postgraduate Degree programmes.

(CK)