Ten more universities for Sri Lanka

Kalutara, Galle, Hambantota, Nuwara Eliya and Matale; technology-related degrees

The Government is proposing to establish ten new universities in districts which currently do not have universities.

Higher Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane told the Education Times these universities will provide degrees related to technology. Discussions have already been held with the University Grants Commission to prepare the curriculum to be followed at these universities.

Information technology, Engineering technology, Biosystem technology and Robotic technology were some of the courses to be introduced.

The Higher Education Ministry had also planned to introduce degrees which may be relevant to each district.

“For instance if there are tea plantations in a particular district we have selected, then we will introduce degrees related to agriculture or another relevant degree programme, for the university that will established in that district,” Minister Gunawardena said.

Under this plan, five of these universities will be first established in the Kalutara, Galle, Hambantota, Nuwara Eliya and Matale districts. Five hundred students will be registered initially at each of the universities.

Students who reside within each of these districts will be given priority for university enrollment. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide the funding for these universities. A sum of US$ five million had already been granted for the feasibility studies of this project, while US$ 50 million will be made available for the further activities of the project.