On 10 September,
the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, in
partnership with the University of Peradeniya, announced EU-financed higher
education capacity building (CBHE) projects for 2020. The announcement took
place jointly with 15 other participating institutions at the University of
Peradeniya. In Sri Lanka, the EU is financing nine capacity-building projects
in 2020 through the Erasmus+ initiative to support the sustainable growth of
its higher education partners.
In the EU-funded
CBHE programs, 15 universities are participating. They are the University of
Eastern Sri Lanka, University of South-Eastern Sri Lanka, University of
Sabaragamuwa, University of Uva Wellasaa, University of Colombo, University of
Defense General Sir John Kotelawala, University of Sri Jayewardenepura,
University of Sri Lanka Rajarata, University of Jaffna, Institute of
Information and Technology of Sri Lanka.
Two
institutions, Dhivehiraajeyge Qaumee University of the Maldives and Villa
College, are also benefiting from Erasmus+ funding from CBHE. Head of
Collaboration of the EU Delegation Frank Hess welcomed the occasion and
congratulated all the partners of Sri Lanka. He also acknowledged the organising
role played by Peradeniya University.
He noted:
"Health, research, and development are key priorities for the EU's
external relations with partner countries such as Sri Lanka and that
institutions of higher education play a key role in advancing societies."
He explained that Erasmus+ offers a wide range of funding opportunities that
enable CBHE projects to benefit university staff, including academic and
administrative staff.
Vice-Chancellor
Prof. Upul B. Dissanayake of the University of Peradeniya said that the
University intensely focused on implementing both capacity-building and
international credit mobility (ICM) programs Erasmus Mundus and Erasmus+
European Universities. He also reported that as the No. 1 ranked University in
Sri Lanka, the University of Peradeniya also played a leading role in this
joint effort with other universities in Sri Lanka.
In Sri Lanka's
quest to become a knowledge hub for Asia, Education and Training have
undoubtedly become the key sectors of focus. Sri Lanka has an impressive
literacy rate and produces graduates who are of ever-increasing quality. Yet, there
is much space for improvement in the sector.
The government
policy of creating a dynamic education sector with the involvement of the
private sector to create competition and breathe new life to a system that may
have stagnated has made a wealth of business opportunities in Sri Lanka for those
who are interested.
OSL Take: The
focus of the newly elected government in enhancing the education sector is a
clear indicator of the emerging business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka's
higher education sector. Sri Lanka has given priority to the country's
education sector in line with Sri Lanka's long term development plans. Many
foreign universities have opened pathway colleges in Sri Lanka as well.
Therefore international businesses/investors could explore business
opportunities in Sri Lanka's higher education sector.
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