UGC enlists graduate trainees to help with online university admission process
A team of 30 graduate trainees will work around the clock to assist students applying for university entrance online, the University Grants Commission (UGC) said recently.
UGC Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunge told Education Times, that this year’s application submission will be online via the UGC’s website (www.ugc.ac.lk). No supporting documents from school principals and grama niladharis will be necessary during the initial submission, he added.
“Candidates are informed that it is compulsory to apply for university admission online. The deadline for applications is June 11 and we have no plan to extend, as we need to accelerate university entrance. I requested 30 graduate trainees (from the Government’s graduate training programme) and trained them in the university admission process. They are currently working with senior staff to sort out issues students face while filling application forms online,” Prof. Amaratunge said.
According to him, out of the 30 trainees, ten will work physically at a separate building adjoining the UGC premises at Ward Place in Colombo 7, even during the lockdown.
“Upon my request these trainees were given the COVID vaccines as they are essential staff who will be assisting the university admission process. They are also being given transport to the premises and are provided with food and an extra allowance. The trainees are able to assist in all three languages, and they are being guided by senior UGC officials,” he said.
He also said applicants can chat online to obtain support entering required data, can get live assistance while uploading their forms and can expect prompt replies after sending emails to the email address apply2020@ugc.ac.lk.
“Respecting the current situation we do not want students to travel in search of documents. During this initial process for school candidates, we will not request for school leaving certificates or any other supporting documents signed by school principals. We are obtaining details from the Examinations Department.
For private candidates, we are getting details, if necessary, from the Elections Department. So there is no need to visit the grama niladhari officers now. Once travel restrictions are eased and schools are re-opened, other documents can be submitted,” Prof. Amaratunge said.
He also said candidates who do not have internet facilities to apply for university admission online are facilitated free of charge at Open University of Sri Lanka Regional Centres (NAC Centres), Education Ministry Provincial and Zonal ICT Centres and the Information & Communication Technology Agency’s (ICTA) Nenasala Centres island wide, during working hours.
If students have any difficulty in filling out the application form online they can also call the Government Information Centre on 1919.
Prof. Amaratunge said this is the initial step in digitalising the university admission process.
“Even during the previous lockdown, students came from outstation areas to the UGC premises to get help to fill university admission forms. Now students can download the admission handbook for 2020/2021 via our website and obtain assistance from our team here to fill their applications without coming to our office,” he said.