Key representatives discuss university sector issues
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Ragging, lack of accommodation and facilities and clashes between university administration and students, some issues brought forward
An open dialogue to discuss issues within the country’s university sector took place on February 6 (Thursday) at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.
The Higher Education Ministry said the Higher Education, Technology and Innovation Secretary Anura Dissanayake, University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, Presidential Secretariat Additional Secretary Rohana Abeyratne, Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Convenor Ven. Rathkarawwe Jinarathana Thera and many state university student representatives attended the discussion.
The event was called for by Higher Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena and took place from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.
Issues discussed included: academic vacancies, suspensions imposed on students, lack of hostels and other facilities, clashes between university administration and students and ragging.
The student representatives submitted a list of the issues faced to the UGC. The UGC Chairman said he intended to speedily hold discussions with the students and the relevant university administrators regarding these issues, to solve them immediately.