Changes needed in higher education to attract more students and meet global standards: Imthiaz Bakeer Markar

The country’s higher education system should be updated to meet global standards, said Opposition Parliamentarian Imthiaz Bakeer Markar.

Addressing Parliament this week, Mr. Marker said the present university system has not given the opportunity for students to choose a course of study they are interested in or select a university they wish to study at.

“At present students have no ability to select a university or course of study they are interested in despite having both the talent and passion,” he said.

Mr. Bakeer Markar said the university system should be changed to attract more students.

“Universities attracting more students should be eligible for more government allocation. This will create healthy competition and universities will be encouraged to update syllabuses and improve facilities. It may lead to our state universities achieving global university rankings,” he said.

He said the governments of the country should continue to ensure quality education and should not be changed when governments change.

“The government deciding to rename the Mahapola Fund as the ‘Lalith Athulathmudali Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund’ should be commended. Throughout the years many students coming from lowincome backgrounds have benefited from the Fund. There are MPs here who have benefited from it unlike our time in universities when students had to obtain a loan,” he added.