A branch of the
internationally reputed Lancashire University "UCLan Lanka Campus " is to be established in Sri
Lanka.
The Minister of
Investment Promotion Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena announced in the Parliament October
9 that this University will be established in the Export Promotion Zone in
Mirigama. He said that 120 acres will be set aside for this project and it will
provide educational facilities for ten thousand students. Six thousand of them
will be foreign students. 120 million US dollars will be invested for this project
and it would generate 750 employment opportunities.
The Minister stated
that due to the peace and political stability prevailing in the country the
investments are on the increase. He said that the confidence of investors
across the world about Sri Lanka has increased and they have pledged their
interest in investing in the country.
Minister Yapa said
that at present only 25,000 students can enter local universities each year,
and the rich class sends their children abroad for higher studies. But the
majority cannot do so. The Minister said that these children will get a
good opportunity to pursue their higher education through this university.
The Minister also
pointed out that the country loses large amounts of foreign exchange due to the
children of the wealthy going overseas for their higher studies.
Minister of Higher
Education S. B. Dissanayake said that the Lancashire University is the 5th best
University in the United Kingdom and this is one of the biggest investments
amounting to US$ 120 million. The Minister assured to further strengthen the
higher education in Sri Lanka by bringing foreign universities. He said that it
is the present government which has allocated a colossal amount of funds to the
Higher Education, which is more than 7 percent of the GDP.
Parliamentarian Mohan
Lal Grero, who is also the monitoring MP for Education said that the Lancashire
University is a leading university in the world and its management in the
country will be done in accordance with the University Act.
Participating in the
debate the UNP Parliamentarian Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that they have no
objection about bringing in private universities to the country but it should
be done in a systematic manner.
The Deputy Minister
Lasantha Alagiyawanna said that 520 degree courses and 200 post graduate degree
courses will be conducted by this university. This is the first time a branch
of the Lancashire University is being established in the Asian region.
Parliamentarian A. H.
M. Azwer said that this foreign university will provide higher education for
around 4,000 local students and 6,000 foreign students. He said that
establishment of foreign universities in the country is a timely move which
will provide immense benefits to the country.
Minister Athauda
Seneviratne, and several Parliamentarians including Wasantha Senanayake, Anura
Kumara Dissanayake, and Eran Wickremarathne participated in the debate. Source : News.lkwww.lankauniversity-news.com
I am working in Malaysia in a foreign University and see the advantages of having such universities. Apart from stopping the drainage of foreign exchange, these universities also bring in foreign exchange from foreign students. I can not see why JVP, a spent force, and some Medical Drs are against it, definitely, for personal reasons. The biggest hypocrisy is that some of these Drs have their children studying in foreign Universities!!! (Can name many as some Drs children are here in Malaysia)
ReplyDeleteGovernment should expose this behavior and go ahead with this program.
very happy to see this news .Private and foreign universities are the main part of a educational system in most of countries.but in Srilanka some foolish groups like JVP, GMOA,Mahaa sishya sangamaya .Anthraya are dont like to theese due to very personal matters.They are going to stop theese projects to achieve their personal targets
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