Non-State Universities in Sri Lanka

“Non-state universities could positively contribute to the National development in Sri Lanka”

Public Awareness Program

What are Non-state Universities?What are Non-state Universities?

Core product offeringCore product offeringTertiary educationTertiary education

Management and ownershipManagement and ownershipMore than 50% of ownership in non-More than 50% of ownership in non-

government sectorgovernment sector Profit/Non-profit orientationProfit/Non-profit orientation

Either profit oriented, or not for profit Either profit oriented, or not for profit organizationorganization

What is National Development?

Economic growthEconomic growthIncreased Gross Domestic ProductionIncreased Gross Domestic Production

Social well beingSocial well beingLess conflicts in the society. Every one’s happy!Less conflicts in the society. Every one’s happy!

Quality of livingQuality of livingEducation, healthcare, purchasing power etcEducation, healthcare, purchasing power etc

Demand & Supply for Tertiary Education in Sri Lanka

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

%

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005* 2006*

Year

Progression to University from GCE (A/L) - 1980 to 2006

Percentage Eligible for University Admissions  Admission as a Percentage of Eligible

Source: UGC http://www.ugc.ac.lk/statistics/General/indicators.htm

Excess DEMAND

Can the Government Alone, Meet this demand?

Government Expenditure on University Education (2005)

1.80%

98.20%

Expenditure on University EducationOther Government Expenditure

Source: UGC (Sri Lanka) EUROSTAT, OECD (2003) Education at a glance OECD indicators 2003

In Europe, the same ratio is 2.4% and in the USA it’s only 0.9%Sri Lankan Government is already spending on university education, to the maximum potential

Adverse Effects of Not Meeting the Excess Demand Locally

Foreign exchange outflowWhen Sri Lankan students go abroad

for higher studies, they take out a large amount of foreign exchange from the country

Adverse Effects of Not Meeting the Excess Demand Locally

Reverse cultural shockWhen they return home, they will find it difficult

for adopting to the Sri Lankan work ethics & corporate culture. Peers and subordinates from local background will start to reject them

Adverse Effects of Not Meeting the Excess Demand Locally

Brain drainThe dissonance created by this reverse

cultural shock, will lead the foreign graduates to leave the country, and establish themselves in the countries where they’ve graduated

Adverse Effects of Not Meeting the Excess Demand Locally

Underutilized skillsMeanwhile, the student’s who

dropped at A/L’s but couldn’t afford tertiary education in foreign countries, will become underutilized resources in National Development project. They have the skills and willingness. But, they don’t have the opportunity to flourish

Adverse Effects of Not Meeting the Excess Demand Locally

Incompatible SubstitutesIncompatible SubstitutesWhere there’s excess demand, there will Where there’s excess demand, there will

always be low quality “products” entering always be low quality “products” entering the market. By not allowing a proper system the market. By not allowing a proper system of non-state universities, we are creating an of non-state universities, we are creating an opportunity for low quality affiliate degree opportunity for low quality affiliate degree programs, to scam the money from Sri programs, to scam the money from Sri LankansLankans

Common Perceptions

“Allowing non-state universities is a threat to the free education system. It will lead the way for privatizing all the state universities in future”

Wrong!

“Non-state universities will further encroach on job opportunities available for graduates from state universities ”

Common Perceptions

Survival of the fittest

In Summery..

Create more opportunities for tertiary education Open doors for new subject areas of education Directly contribute to the GDP in service sector Save foreign exchange Discourage poor standard affiliate institutes Enhance the overall education level Increase the quality of free education system

Allowing private universities in Sri Lanka will…

Tertiary Education for all…

Who are qualified enough, Who are qualified enough, and willing to contribute to and willing to contribute to the national development the national development processprocess

Let’s do it for them…

Thank you!