UGC considers five more applications for degree awarding status

The Higher Education Ministry is considering applications from five more private higher educational institutions seeking degree awarding status.

Secretary to the Ministry Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne told The Island yesterday that the University Grants Commission (UGC) had awarded degree awarding status to eight private higher educational institutions so far.

"The ministry is considering five new applications," he said, adding that the ministry also expected some foreign universities to set up their branches here.

Answering a query, Dr. Navaratne said that around 300,000 students sat the GCE (Advanced Level) examination annually.

Of them, 130,000 qualified to enter university, but unfortunately, the government could accommodate only 25,000 in state run universities, he said.

The Secretary said that 105,000 students had to forego their higher education due to lack of institutions.
"The government cannot extend its university system to accommodate all A/L qualifiers due to lack of funds," Dr. Navaratne said, adding that the only option was to set up private higher educational institutions to enable the rest of A/L qualifiers to get a degree at a low cost.