New national university for nurses in May

The Higher Education Act will see amendments to establish a national university for nurses in May this year, an official of the University Grants Commission said recently.

This was announced at a meeting between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and health and education sector officials this week, due to issues faced by nurses in the country.

President Rajapaksa instructed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to amend the Higher Education Act and present it to the Parliament without delay.

“What we need is a degree awarding university. There is no need to move it under the UGC, because then enrollments will be done based on Z- scores. In the case of the Kotelawala Defence University, the UGC Chairman is a member of the council. The UGC can get involved in setting and monitoring standards,” the President said.

UGC Chairman S a m p at h Amaratunge said the Higher Education Act will be amended to merge existing nursing schools and establish a national nursing university.

The UGC Chairman said the Higher Education Act with necessary amendments will be presented in Parliament by April to establish the university before the end of May.