Puravara University programme: Offering skills suitable for the current job market

The Puravara University programme to offer a degree that suits the job market to children who have passed the A/L exams but do not have the finances needed to pursue their higher studies, will be launched from Kegalle district.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday launched the official website (www.cu.ac.lk) introducing the Puravara University programme as a concept in conjunction with the 2021 World Youth Skills Day Celebration. The programme is being launched under a pledge in the Vision of Prosperity policy statement.

Its first university is planned to start in the coming weeks in Pinnawala, in the Kegalle district.

The President said he expected the city university programme to create a knowledgeable graduates who can be directly involved in the economy or self- employed at the end of the programme.

The President said he is also against running private universities only for business purposes. The income earned by private universities should be allocated for the promotion of educational activities.

Those who are protesting against educational reforms should be presenting an educational system that fits the present economy, not standing for political preferences, he added.

With new technology aimed at the job market, the aim of these new urban universities in all districts island wide, is to produce skilled graduates, the President said.

According to the President’s office 80 % of those eligible for university admission lose university admission after the A/L exam. Among them, students with economic ability turn to private or foreign universities.

It specialises in setting up graduate courses on a curriculum that suits districts as well as local and global job markets.

Skills Development, Vocational Education and New Inventions State Minister Seetha Arambepola said future citizens full of knowledge and professional skills will be created at the end of this course.

Youth unemployment, down to four percent in 2014, increased to 16 % by 2019, Youth and Sports Minister and Digital Technology and Entrepreneurship Development State Minister Namal Rajapaksa said.

Mr Rajapaksa said youth unemployment could rise up to 30 % based on the current global situation.

“Although the expectation of a graduate is a good job, it is the present responsibility to correct the dismissal of certain degree courses for any job,” said Education Minister G. L. Peiris.