SLIATE courses to be upgraded to degree status
View(s):The Government is planning to upgrade some of the courses offered by the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE) to degree status.
State Minister of technology and Innovations Thilanga Sumathipala told the Sunday Times, courses such as SLIATE’s Higher National Diploma in Engineering (HNDE) lasted about four and a half years, a long period of time for a diploma.
He said the Government is currently planning to upgrade about four courses into degree programmes, after many of the 19 SLIATE institutes are upgraded to ‘centres of excellence.’
The Government is also drawing up plans to gradually increase SLIATE’s annual intake from 10,000 students to 30,000 to provide a higher education option to students who have passed the GCE Advanced Level (A/L) exams.
The Minister also said the country is in need of scientists and professionals specialising in technological fields.
- Sandun Jayawardana