Higher Education- Who's Responsibility Is It?

[Watchman]

Lately a hot topic has been this 6% of GDP for education business and how the government should put in more and more funding into education and specifically higher education in this case. Based on who I speak to, I have been getting a lot of different stands on it. I know AL has a diverse cut of Sri Lankan government Unis, Sri Lankan Pvt Unis , foreign government Unis and foreign private Unis. And based on where a person comes from they have a very different opinion.

I personally come from a foreign government Uni where part of my tuition was paid by the government as a bond (where I work in that country for 3 years), while the remaining tuition fees and living costs were given to me as a loan which was interest free till I graduated. And upon graduation no-one here is guaranteed or just handed a job from the government, and finding a job is one's own responsibility. Applying to a job may it be in a government institute or in the private sector was no different to how anyone from any other (gov or pvt) university would. And frankly I think it's an awesome deal, as I got a higher education without having to worry about money. And when I DID need to worry about tuition fees, I'm already working and have a salary.

But the other day I saw this FB status of a 6%-GDP fan/activist (from a Sri Lankan Gov university) who says that it's the purely government's responsibility to fund higher education. Additionally it is the government's responsibility to make sure there's jobs for these graduates. And the icing on the cake, it is also the government's responsibility to give jobs/pay that's comparable to other countries to keep these graduates from migrating. Needless to say, coming from my background I found this ridiculous and commented that these graduates should not demand everything from the gov and must be pro-activing in finding jobs themselves. Additionlly if they really want higher education to develop maybe pump some money into it through a model such as the one I come from. As expected I was gang-banged by a bunch of these 6%ers. But the shocking thing is that some of them are not socialist extremists or anything but pretty intelligent people of sound mind that I knew since childhood.

It may not be a resolution to the situation, but I would love to hear the perspectives of people who come from the various such tertiary education backgrounds. We all know people here are not shy to express themselves on issues, so please go ahead. I'd love to hear what others really think about this matter.

[NZer]

Srilankan people sadly have a dirty habit of blaming each and everything on the Government. They expect the government to do everything for them and thats their attitude now. People have too soon forgotten the state of the country a few years ago. We could not even travel on the road not knowing when we will be blown to bits by the LTTE bastards. They also live in this country with their eyes shut. No one sees how far the country have come from that time zone. In srilanka everything is blamed on the government. If it rains its the governments fault and if it doesn its still the governments fault. People need to open their eyes and make an effort. The Gov cant do everything. We already have a solid support with most of the education being supported free and things such as hospitals etc.

So i believe the gov is doing most of what it can and the rest is upto us to manage. Its time we all chip in to make this place a lot better rather than trying to rape the government. Prices in all countries go up not just srilanka, and comparing the rises this is nothing.

[SeanD]

I have one request for Dewasiri, Amila Thero, IUSF and all other FUTA guys. Please leave the students in our universities alone.

You are simply making use of these hapless students for your political games. If you don’t find your salaries good enough, please leave the country for good though its unlikely history buffs and political “scientists” we see so often participating in these agitations will find positions in universities elsewhere.

IUSF is the bane of our university system. Their last president now a JVP activist was a faculty drop out! What right do such students with dismal academic performance have to speak for other students? These people will do well to remember that their education is paid for by tax payers many of whom could not enter national universities.

It would do this country good to kick out these IUSF nutters who enter university and then dabble in politics and admit students even those with less marks but dedicated to their studies nonetheless in their place.

Free education may have been feasible and necessary at the time it was introduced and for many years thereafter but in today’s context, the state alone cannot take on the responsibility of funding education.

More importantly, people ought to ask why give medical or engineering degrees for free? These graduates are more than capable of contributing back to the education system. Hence, without a delay the government should introduce student loans where students after they graduate pay back for their education. Free education is not the only way where students without financial resources can get the education they deserve. If students cannot find jobs and are unable to pay back their loans, then we should seriously look whether its is worth continuing such degree programs and perhaps let go of staff in such departments and hire faculty for programs where there is greater demand.

An across the board increase in salaries of professors at this juncture is an utter waste of public money. Increase in salaries should be consistent and tied to performance and demand. It would only lead to more agitation from other trade unions demanding higher pay disrupting not just education but all services in the country.

There is no argument that our politicians are fools but only an even bigger bunch of selfish idiots with nothing better to do would even contemplate disrupting the education of 10,000+ students for 3 months for union action which would not bring about any difference in the system other than some increase in salaries at the end.

Edited October 2, 2012 by SeanD

[NZer]

I have one request for Dewasiri, Amila Thero, IUSF and all other FUTA guys. Please leave the students in our universities alone.

You are simply making use of these hapless students for your political games. If you don’t find your salaries good enough, please leave the country for good though its unlikely history buffs and political “scientists” we see so often participating in these agitations will find positions in universities elsewhere.

IUSF is the bane of our university system. Their last president now a JVP activist was a faculty drop out! What right do such students with dismal academic performance have to speak for other students? These people will do well to remember that their education is paid for by tax payers many of whom could not enter national universities.

It would do this country good to kick out these IUSF nutters who enter university and then dabble in politics and admit students even those with less marks but dedicated to their studies nonetheless in their place.

Free education may have been feasible and necessary at the time it was introduced and for many years thereafter but in today’s context, the state alone cannot take on the responsibility of funding education.

More importantly, people ought to ask why give medical or engineering degrees for free? These graduates are more than capable of contributing back to the education system. Hence, without a delay the government should introduce student loans where students after they graduate pay back for their education. Free education is not the only way where students without financial resources can get the education they deserve. If students cannot find jobs and are unable to pay back their loans, then we should seriously look whether its is worth continuing such degree programs and perhaps let go of staff in such departments and hire faculty for programs where there is greater demand.

An across the board increase in salaries of professors at this juncture is an utter waste of public money. Increase in salaries should be consistent and tied to performance and demand. It would only lead to more agitation from other trade unions demanding higher pay disrupting not just education but all services in the country.

There is no argument that our politicians are fools but only an even bigger bunch of selfish idiots with nothing better to do would even contemplate disrupting the education of 10,000+ students for 3 months for union action which would not bring about any difference in the system other than some increase in salaries at the end.

Very Well said.

[Crosswind]

You will get an idea about my affinity, if you see my display picture

I am an ardent supporter of the 6% state funding for education. As a person in the academia for several years, it is my moral obligation to support this cause. However, the sad part is, most of the university academics have got their ass about face on this one by involving IUSF (what is known locally as 'antare'), the politicians and of course, the JVP. FUTA is in a dilemma here because, without their support, this cause will not be taken to the public. At the same time, these guys are making FUTA look like a bunch of leftist idiots.

Note that:

1. 6% GDP for education is a UNESCO recommendation for every country in the world. Not something FUTA is just demanding. Most of the countries of the world have 6% state funding for education. This includes United States, most of Europe and even countries like Thailand, Fiji, Kenya. These ARE countries that have a thriving private education sector as well.

2. In Sri Lanka, state funding for education this year is about 1.5%. State funding for defence this year is about 12%. Exactly why do we need 12% funding for defence? Even during the peak of the war, the defence funding was about 20%

3. Even if you like it or not, academics are the most educated people in the country. It's true that life isn't fair and policians who haven't passed 5th grade make millions upon millions. But the benefits of Lecturers should be in par with the level of commitment they have made in their life. Anyone needs motivation to do their work.

4. Doctors, Engineers can leave the country if they are not happy and others will eventually take over their jobs. But if good academics leave the country, do remember that it will have a long term effect on the country's future.

5. The 6% funding is not just for salaries (government did increase the salary of lecturers wef 1st October but FUTA hasn't given up on their action because it's just NOT about money). The whole education system should be aligned towards industry demands and should produce employable graduates. Funding is necessary to modernize the university system.

6. I KNOW in and out about some of the biggest private degree awarding institutes in Sri Lanka. Believe me, they are CRAP. I agree that a private education system is a must for any country. But these are like 'kottu roti' kadeys in every junction. However,some of their marketing strategy is so good, the students are brainwashed to think that they get the best education in the world!

Please also note that I personally do not support any opinion that government should give jobs to people.

(FYI, if you need to know my background, I never studied at a govt uni in Sri Lanka and all my education was done overseas. However, I did work as a lecturer in few organizations - government and private for a while)

EDIT: NZER - you are a blithering idiot

Edited October 2, 2012 by Crosswind

[Watchman]

More importantly, people ought to ask why give medical or engineering degrees for free? These graduates are more than capable of contributing back to the education system. Hence, without a delay the government should introduce student loans where students after they graduate pay back for their education. Free education is not the only way where students without financial resources can get the education they deserve. If students cannot find jobs and are unable to pay back their loans, then we should seriously look whether its is worth continuing such degree programs and perhaps let go of staff in such departments and hire faculty for programs where there is greater demand.

An across the board increase in salaries of professors at this juncture is an utter waste of public money. Increase in salaries should be consistent and tied to performance and demand. It would only lead to more agitation from other trade unions demanding higher pay disrupting not just education but all services in the country.

This my sentiment too, if a group of graduate from a certain field of study cant find a job, there probably is a high possibility that the curriculum is not giving the students what the real world NEEDS. And tying the compensation and gratuity to those who are responsible for designing course-work creates a level of accountability which pushes lecturers to keep their knowledge and curriculum updated.

And dude, you just spoke my mind on how/why free education isnt "needed" in a modern society where getting financial assistance from an institution is not that hard.

[Watchman]

You will get an idea about my affinity, if you see my display picture

I am an ardent supporter of the 6% state funding for education. As a person in the academia for several years, it is my moral obligation to support this cause. However, the sad part is, most of the university academics have got their ass about face on this one by involving IUSF (what is known locally as 'antare'), the politicians and of course, the JVP. FUTA is in a dilemma here because, without their support, this cause will not be taken to the public. At the same time, these guys are making FUTA look like a bunch of leftist idiots.

Note that:

1. 6% GDP for education is a UNESCO recommendation for every country in the world. Not something FUTA is just demanding. Most of the countries of the world have 6% state funding for education. This includes United States, most of Europe and even countries like Thailand, Fiji, Kenya. These ARE countries that have a thriving private education sector as well.

2. In Sri Lanka, state funding for education this year is about 1.5%. State funding for defence this year is about 12%. Exactly why do we need 12% funding for defence? Even during the peak of the war, the defence funding was about 20%

3. Even if you like it or not, academics are the most educated people in the country. It's true that life isn't fair and policians who haven't passed 5th grade make millions upon millions. But the benefits of Lecturers should be in par with the level of commitment they have made in their life. Anyone needs motivation to do their work.

4. Doctors, Engineers can leave the country if they are not happy and others will eventually take over their jobs. But if good academics leave the country, do remember that it will have a long term effect on the country's future.

5. The 6% funding is not just for salaries (government did increase the salary of lecturers wef 1st October but FUTA hasn't given up on their action because it's just NOT about money). The whole education system should be aligned towards industry demands and should produce employable graduates. Funding is necessary to modernize the university system.

6. I KNOW in and out about some of the biggest private degree awarding institutes in Sri Lanka. Believe me, they are CRAP. I agree that a private education system is a must for any country. But these are like 'kottu roti' kadeys in every junction. However,some of their marketing strategy is so good, the students are brainwashed to think that they get the best education in the world!

Please also note that I personally do not support any opinion that government should give jobs to people.

(FYI, if you need to know my background, I never studied at a govt uni in Sri Lanka and all my education was done overseas. However, I did work as a lecturer in few organizations - government and private for a while)

EDIT: NZER - you are a blithering idiot

ON points

1&2: If you want to compare UNESCO and other countries fact for fact, you should realize that those countries dont have bans on non-gov institutes awarding "Degrees". Whenever the talk of a private university comes into light all these gov uni staff n students throw shit & the fan and try to block it at any cost. So if its access to tertiary education you want, let the private sector offer it too. Dont block that and then demand that the government provide it all.

3: The commitment these academics made 20-30 years ago should be rewarded. But just like a doctor has to update his medical knowledge on methods of treatment or an engineer has to update himself with new technologies, these academics too need update themselves. This is a complaint that i've heard from some uni students. Student's should also be have access to CURRENT knowledge, not knowledge from 20 years ago. So do you justify rewarding these lecturers past efforts by depriving the students of more current knowledge.

4. Yes, doctors and engineers (lecturers too) can "leave the country if they are not happy", but to fill that void the nation has to invest in training another doctor/engineer/lecturer who could once again leave. In current times no-one is born a good academic, so you should stop thinking that they are god's gift to the nation.

5: In your overall argument you are fighting to defend the same people who are failing in their responsibility in "aligning towards industry demands and producing employable graduate". Do you really think just throwing more money at them will make them do anything different?

6: Most local graduates have a notion that they are the best and everyone else is sub-standard; or in your words 'crap'. IIRC, there's only 3 non-government-uni institute in SL that have degree awarding status, yet they still fall under the UGC's purview, hence have a certain level of regulation. But if you're referring to places like IIT, APIIT, ACBT etc etc, due to people like you simply writing them off as crap, rather than look into regulating their quality of education, they have no choice but to facilitate classes for a degree awarded by whatever foreign koththu university. But, for all you know they may provide more up-to-date and relevant education.

And frankly no-one needs to be brainwashed into thinking that a certain university is good or bad. Would someone be brainwashed into thinking that a engineering degree from MIT is crap, or a Law degree from Harvard is crap? No, that's because they have produced quality graduates that uphold the name of the university. Likewise, in a local context; in the eyes of an employer a job-applicant isnt judged because his degree was stamped by a government university, but rather performance and quality of previous graduates from that institute. Don't you agree?

So I say let there be private universities; regulate them; Admitting that it's necessary in the next breath calling them crap and shunning them away isnt the solution. And eventually would this lessen the weight on the government's shoulders of providing higher education for all.

Edited October 2, 2012 by Watchman

[Crosswind]

@Watchman - Will definitely respond to most of your views when time permits. To give a very short response, I agree with you on certain things, such as the necessity of a competitive private education system (note point 6 in my original post).

[NPP]

I completed my degree in a govt uni in SL.

I don't have much of an opinion on the 6%. Since there have been plenty of protests for plenty of reasosn, I refused to closely look into this as well.

But honestly, we need more funding to improve infrastructure and facilities in our universities. Figures, I do not know, but we definitely need more funding to upgrade the standards.

But comparing with other countries - in that case, shouldn't we start benchmarking a lot of things in education and other sectors? like subsidies, bursaries, mahapola? (I'm not counter arguing, just what I thought. I'll welcome more information)

There are certain things we know that will never happen (the cabinet)

Anyways,

Unis in SL have intakes from each corner of the country and other than the ones from cities, all of them have a very interesting view on the whole private uni thing.

I know for a fact that there are some who look down upon another even if he does something like CIMA. It has happened to me and only reason I can assume is jealousy, honestly.

Most of the issues are due to the free education itself since students take everything for granted. There is minimum respect for anything that is given free. They continue to demand more and more for free. Been there, seen it.

[Sampath Gunasekera]

This my sentiment too, if a group of graduate from a certain field of study cant find a job, there probably is a high possibility that the curriculum is not giving the students what the real world NEEDS. And tying the compensation and gratuity to those who are responsible for designing course-work creates a level of accountability which pushes lecturers to keep their knowledge and curriculum updated.

And dude, you just spoke my mind on how/why free education isnt "needed" in a modern society where getting financial assistance from an institution is not that hard.

(1) This is simply and well clarified by Prof. Sarath Bandara at Agriculture Faculty, University of Peradeniya, once at his lecture to us.

Previously we believed “Ugatha mana shilpayamai mathu rekena”

But now , there is a requirement to be “Mathu rekena shilpayamai ugathamana”

Simply this is called “Job oriented learning”

This should well understand by the students, parents, lecturers and especially who design and control the education system in the country.

(2) Few months ago I was watching a Bana Programme in TV and came to know an interesting point about the real meaning of “Shilpa Shastra” in ancient studies.

"Shastra" is the academic knowledge given to the students.

"Shilpa" is the knowledge or training given to the students for their future carrier (to survive as a job)

Edited October 2, 2012 by Sampath Gunasekera

[liya]

Problem is our university set up is that the more bright and employable students find jobs and leave as soon as they finish their degrees.

Those unemployable hang around as demonstrators and boot-lick to their way as asst. lecturers and then get PhD's schols to go abroad. Upon completion of their phD's they come back to the universities (obviously too unemployable even to find foreign jobs) and become something less than a tuition master, doing nothing but worthless unpublishable "research" which is not worth the piece of paper its written, and back stab any one who actually does some quality research once in a way. These "tuition masters" have their own favorites which again starts a circle for breeding more "tuition masters" in to the uni system. and this goes on and on like a vicious cycle. So after generations of "selective breeding" in our universities, we have a lot of tuition masters in our universities and very few genuine "lecturers/researchers"

A lot of senior lecturers and Prof's only have a handful of published papers in high impact journals, BTW

Edited October 2, 2012 by liya

[H.C]

Problem is our university set up is that the more bright and employable students find jobs and leave as soon as they finish their degrees.

Those unemployable hang around as demonstrators and boot-lick to their way as asst. lecturers and then get PhD's schols to go abroad. Upon completion of their phD's they come back to the universities (obviously too unemployable even to find foreign jobs) and become something less than a tuition master, doing nothing but worthless unpublishable "research" which is not worth the piece of paper its written, and back stab any one who actually does some quality research once in a way. These "tuition masters" have their own favorites which again starts a circle for breeding more "tuition masters" in to the uni system. and this goes on and on like a vicious cycle. So after generations of "selective breeding" in our universities, we have a lot of tuition masters in our universities and very few genuine "lecturers/researchers"

A lot of senior lecturers and Prof's only have a handful of published papers in high impact journals, BTW

yep, this is true in Arts , may be in science or Management faculties, but most of the lecturers and proffs in Medical faculties are well recognized all over the world and you can even find some of them in famous medical text books as authors in certain chapters.

[Magnum357]

It is absolutely useless discussing the problems in this country which have been created by the elected representatives. Various people in this forum have various views and solutions but that hardly matters as the powers that be are not in the forum.

The authorities and politicians are either absolute mutts who do not understand the damned problems or are indifferent to the problems as long they have a cool life with all the luxuries. The voting idiots in the country regardless of what, go in ques and elect these frauds rogues and cheats at each election and those who get elected are more interested in themsleves than the well being of the people. When the idiotic people who have very short memories realise this they keep complaining till the next election and the cycle repeats with another set of good for nothing buffoons getting elected to live the life at the expense of the idiotic people.

Anyone living in this country has to live amidst all this mess. Those living in this country have either got to put up and shut up or else get the hell out of the country and live somewhere else. There is no point in complaining as this is THE system in this country which is NOT going to change for a few generations at least. If there is any member or members in this forum who THINK they can bring about change....well..... best of luck!!

Edited October 2, 2012 by Magnum357

[The Don]

I must admit, I am personally not aware of the entire story about 6% GDP per higher education. But let me share my thoughts on state funding for higher education, nevertheless.

I think we are probably all in agreement that government resources in a developing country is very precious. Since most of us went to state schools, I think we are also very appreciative of the free education policy in Sri Lanka.

I think Watchman poses 2 question to the debate.

First is whether the government should spend a certain percentage of GDP on funding higher education. I think there is probably little debate as to whether the government should help subsidise higher education but the question is probably how much by. Some of the methods of operation in the world are;

1. Should the government be able to fund nearly all students passing their A/L's to obtain a higher educational qualification

2. Should the government set aside a certain amount of money (like the 6% GDP proposal suggests) and simply invest in the higher education sector and accommodate as many students as possible.

3. Should the government operate a loan scheme like certain countries accessible by all students, who could technically use it to fund their studies in whichever way they see fit (state university, private university, foreign university) but with the condition they either work in SL and pay it back through tax through a certain period of time or if they decide to work overseas pay it back before being allowed to do so.

4. Provide no personal support to students, but provide grants and subsidies to universities who will use it to subsidise the fees of students in need.

Personally I think all of the above are systems that work with their own unique advantages and disadvantages, and it is not easy to say which one is better. But having parents, particularly my father who worked himself up from a little village down south, to the reasonable standing we enjoy thanks to free education so we are all firm supporters of it.

But sadly in SL not everybody gets the opportunity to benefit from it as there are so few places available.

Also I don't personally think the people who don't get selected are necessarily people who are not capable of obtaining a higher education qualification. But whatever system we have it should be sustainable for our economy and deliver the required benefits. For example subsidising higher education will be a waste of money if a lot of people who utilise it, then go abroad and not use it in the country. At the same time it will be a waste if it sponsored so called "vanity qualifications" for which there is no employment available in Sri Lanka. The number of subsidies per subject should be proportional to economic & social needs.

On the other question of whether it is the responsibility of the state create jobs, I believe it very much is. Now I don't think it should exactly be what some people are asking for, where the government actually become a mega employer and offer jobs directly to graduates.

But the state is responsible for development of industry, infrastructure and social facilities and it is in their portfolio of responsibilities that the industries and services in the country develop in line with economic needs and generates enough jobs for its people. That is one of its most fundamental functions irrespective of political system.

[udayap]

Srilankan people sadly have a dirty habit of blaming each and everything on the Government. They expect the government to do everything for them and thats their attitude now. People have too soon forgotten the state of the country a few years ago. We could not even travel on the road not knowing when we will be blown to bits by the LTTE bastards. They also live in this country with their eyes shut. No one sees how far the country have come from that time zone. In srilanka everything is blamed on the government. If it rains its the governments fault and if it doesn its still the governments fault. People need to open their eyes and make an effort. The Gov cant do everything. We already have a solid support with most of the education being supported free and things such as hospitals etc.

So i believe the gov is doing most of what it can and the rest is upto us to manage. Its time we all chip in to make this place a lot better rather than trying to rape the government. Prices in all countries go up not just srilanka, and comparing the rises this is nothing.

NZer, I really feel pathetic about your views about a problem (concern) that has a national importance. To my perception, you are representing the typical sub set of the population who watch ITN and Rupavahini News and blindly believe on the untruth. This group still do not understand (or do not want to understand) the expense for the education is a national level investment. This is the only way to avoid the reincarnation of terrorist bustards, this is the only way to make a peaceful living environment for your kids.

Also, remember blaming the government and bring the derailed government to correct track are two different things. Persons like you will not ever understand the difference.

[udayap]

Problem is our university set up is that the more bright and employable students find jobs and leave as soon as they finish their degrees.

Those unemployable hang around as demonstrators and boot-lick to their way as asst. lecturers and then get PhD's schols to go abroad. Upon completion of their phD's they come back to the universities (obviously too unemployable even to find foreign jobs) and become something less than a tuition master, doing nothing but worthless unpublishable "research" which is not worth the piece of paper its written, and back stab any one who actually does some quality research once in a way. These "tuition masters" have their own favorites which again starts a circle for breeding more "tuition masters" in to the uni system. and this goes on and on like a vicious cycle. So after generations of "selective breeding" in our universities, we have a lot of tuition masters in our universities and very few genuine "lecturers/researchers"

A lot of senior lecturers and Prof's only have a handful of published papers in high impact journals, BTW

Man, do not write rubbish. Look at your own post and try to answer following questions:

1. Why more bright and employable students find jobs and leave as soon as they finish their degrees without joining to the university where they can serve the country more better way?.

2. Don't you know that Demonstrators are recruited on a temporary basis (only for a time period ) till the subsequent batch is passed out.

3. Do you think government provide scholarships for the university academics?. Have you ever heard about the bond agreement that forces the academics to return back to country upon the completion of the higher studies?.

4. Go through the CVs of the dons posted in the university web sites and comment about the quality researches they have done even with the poor infrastructural facilities available in our universities. Dont you know, good research out puts resulted in the combination of the expertise + facilities+ access to quality journals.

Please do not spread the false information without knowing the real facts. Shame on You

[SeanD]

Problem is our university set up is that the more bright and employable students find jobs and leave as soon as they finish their degrees.

Those unemployable hang around as demonstrators and boot-lick to their way as asst. lecturers and then get PhD's schols to go abroad. Upon completion of their phD's they come back to the universities (obviously too unemployable even to find foreign jobs) and become something less than a tuition master

A lot of senior lecturers and Prof's only have a handful of published papers in high impact journals, BTW

Those are pretty broad/generalized statements, which are very far from the truth when it comes to the PhD holders at most of the higher end Govt universities. Note that PhD holders in these universities are the exception rather than the norm; most lecturers are qualified up to MA/Sc or M.Phil. Of those PhDs, I know about 8 personally, and I have no doubt in their ability to get a well tenured position at any upper end US university, while some of them have in fact taken early retirement from world class universities and come back to serve the institutions they feel gave them the leg up they needed.

I do not have a grip against a professor with a Stanford PhD who has a salary below 100k asking a raise up to 100k. However, there are other ways of going about fixing the mess that would automatically result in performance based increments rather than token sums raised through 'mass agitation'.

[VVTi]

I am funding my own higher education, I worked my butt off the last 15 years to get where I am today and only now I can think of getting myself a proper education, Only after I made sure my parents are provided for for the rest of their lives. so I will keep out of this... I don't care much about our university system to start with, its products nor its education levels anyway.

6%, 10%, unemployed grads, dead grads, gone crazy grads, suicidal grads, ragging, strikes, etc, I don't give a rats ass.

In fact I wont stop to piss on a undergrad or uni student on fire. Let them kill themselves.

Honestly.

[liya]

Man, do not write rubbish. Look at your own post and try to answer following questions:

1. Why more bright and employable students find jobs and leave as soon as they finish their degrees without joining to the university where they can serve the country more better way?.

2. Don't you know that Demonstrators are recruited on a temporary basis (only for a time period ) till the subsequent batch is passed out.

3. Do you think government provide scholarships for the university academics?. Have you ever heard about the bond agreement that forces the academics to return back to country upon the completion of the higher studies?.

4. Go through the CVs of the dons posted in the university web sites and comment about the quality researches they have done even with the poor infrastructural facilities available in our universities. Dont you know, good research out puts resulted in the combination of the expertise + facilities+ access to quality journals.

Please do not spread the false information without knowing the real facts. Shame on You

Jeeze...looks like hell hath no fury than a demonstrator pissed off!

Why go in to lengths of argument..just compare a demonstrator (or even some poor idiot left nothing to do but a Mphil, with a graduate (or even a non-graduate) working in to good private company and see the difference.

Those who are employable are quickly absorbed in to the corporate sector and those left behind hold placards in front of the fort station demanding jobs (few lucky get to be like the above gentlemen : a demonstrator ). Of course its a generalization. its a generalization because this is what usually happens in our universities.

I stand by my statement...a lot of phD's in our universities do not have high impact publications. There are a worthy few of course, but majority are just tuition masters. Our universities would not be in this state if otherwise

Edited October 2, 2012 by liya

[liya]

yep, this is true in Arts , may be in science or Management faculties, but most of the lecturers and proffs in Medical faculties are well recognized all over the world and you can even find some of them in famous medical text books as authors in certain chapters.

I agree. Medical faculty is an exception. That's because they do research out of need, not because some unemployable graduate wanted to get his research paper published

[udayap]

Jeeze...looks like hell hath no fury than a demonstrator pissed off!

Why go in to lengths of argument..just compare a demonstrator (or even some poor idiot left nothing to do but a Mphil, with a graduate (or even a non-graduate) working in to good private company and see the difference.

Those who are employable are quickly absorbed in to the corporate sector and those left behind hold placards in front of the fort station demanding jobs (few lucky get to be like the above gentlemen : a demonstrator ). Of course its a generalization. its a generalization because this is what usually happens in our universities.

I stand by my statement...a lot of phD's in our universities do not have high impact publications. There are a worthy few of course, but majority are just tuition masters. Our universities would not be in this state if otherwise

Your reply shows how ignorant you are. Firsly, I am not a Demonstrator or temporary staff member. If you want my list of publications and amont of foriegn exchange I (and my collegues) have brought to the country through research projects. Please do not try to generalize the conduct of the few outliers and spread the non sense through the web.

The funny thing is, How can a group low quality academics in our university system (according to your ignorant idiology) produce so called top class graduates who are readily employable (according to your view). Just Understand, the top graduates (especially engineers) are not joining to universities since they are poorly paid. FUTA demands have correctly addressed this fact!!!!!

[liya]

The funny thing is, How can a group low quality academics in our university system (according to your ignorant idiology) produce so called top class graduates who are readily employable (according to your view).

That's exactly the point me and the entire country is trying to say here, but you seems to lack the ability to comprehend.

Let me put is very simply and plainly.

1. Most university graduates today are of poor standard. However that doesn't meal ALL graduates are unemployable. Graduates that are employable usually find good jobs, but the majority are unemployable and end up holding placards in front of Fort station

2. They are unemployable because those who teach them, the lecturers themselves are mostly unemployable, outdated and unproductive (just imagine can someone like you teach a graduate, when you can't understand what's written in an automotive forum!),

3. They teach outdated courses, that are of very little use to the country or the private sector. They have shown no intention to reform themselves or their courses. We are producing excess of useless arts, business and science students

FUTA demands have correctly addressed this fact!!!!!

You are an example of our university system. Its all about "me me me!!!". FUTA wants this FUTA wants that. No admitting that the lecturers themselves are at fault. FUTA wants the country to pour more money in to a bankrupted unproductive system. This country cannot afford to bankroll's more unemployable graduates on unproductive courses

[terrabytetango]

I am funding my own higher education, I worked my butt off the last 15 years to get where I am today and only now I can think of getting myself a proper education, Only after I made sure my parents are provided for for the rest of their lives. so I will keep out of this... I don't care much about our university system to start with, its products nor its education levels anyway.

6%, 10%, unemployed grads, dead grads, gone crazy grads, suicidal grads, ragging, strikes, etc, I don't give a rats ass.

In fact I wont stop to piss on a undergrad or uni student on fire. Let them kill themselves.

Honestly.

+1 I thought I was the only one facing that situation.

[Pericles]

It is absolutely useless discussing the problems in this country which have been created by the elected representatives. Various people in this forum have various views and solutions but that hardly matters as the powers that be are not in the forum.

I don't suppose you know that the government changes in Egypt came about as a result of a movement started on an online forum, in that case, Facebook?

Not recommending that course, just pointing out that it's not entirely useless to discuss. The spread of information is the biggest catalyst for change, which is why so many dictatorships try so hard to control the news (ie, information that flows to the people)

[The Don]

+1 I thought I was the only one facing that situation.

I think this is a traditional misconception in Sri Lanka, that you need "higher education" to be a person of standing in society and have a career. Complete nonsense of course! I am often surprised by the obsession in Sri Lanka about Masters Degrees and MBA's at the moment. I thought MBA's were aimed at senior executives with a certain level of experience but it seems everybody feels it could help them go further in their careers. My mother asked me why I wasn't doing an "MBA", and I told her, my boss doesn't have an MBA, my boss's boss doesn't have an MBA, my Boss's boss's boss (the CEO and director of one of the biggest private equity firms in the world) does not have an MBA, so what purpose would it serve for me to get an MBA....?

People can follow different paths and achieve the same thing. But there comes an interesting problem, the state should technically treat all of its citizens equally, and that should include individuals who decide to take a different path from universities, they should receive the same support. That could be via incubators for small business's, start up loans, mentoring, apprenticeships etc, and perhaps the so called 6% GDP should be diversified to include that too.