Ministry of Higher Education Sri Lanka Sri Lanka The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia Dr Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne Secretary Ministry of Higher

Ministry of Higher EducationSri Lanka

Sri LankaThe Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia

Dr Sunil Jayantha NawaratneSecretary Ministry of Higher Education Sri Lanka

[email protected]

Regional Education Hubs: Reality or Rhetoric

Going Global 2011, Hong Kong 2Sri Lanka – The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia

Structure

■ About Sri Lanka

■ Post-war macro economic environment

■ Government’s vision: Mahinda Chinthana

■ Challenges and Opportunities

■ Implementation

■ Comparative advantage

■ Marketing Sri Lanka as a Centre of Excellence

■ Questions and learning from others

Going Global 2011, Hong Kong 3

About Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka – The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia


Post-war macroeconomic environment

■ Population 20 million (61% below Age 35)

■ 8% GDP growth – 2nd fastest growing economy in South Asia

■ Stable government with 2/3 majority in the parliament

■ Per capita income US$ 2000 in 2010 (expect US$ 4000 by 2015)

■ Inflation rate 6.8%; unemployment below 5.4%

■ Booming tourism sector

■ Stable Sri Lanka Rupee

■ Conducive environment for investment – attracting FDI

■ Rapid infrastructure development (highways, shipping/air ports, housing)

Sources: Central Bank of Sri Lanka and Department of Census and Statistics


Sri Lanka – The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia 5

Government vision (Mahinda Chinthana)

“Develop a youth who can see the world

over the horizon”

“We have the opportunity to make this

country a knowledge hub within the South

Asian region. I will develop and implement

an operational plan to make this country a

local and international research and

training centre for knowledge”

Mahinda Chintana 2010 (President’s

Mandate)

HE Mahinda RajapaksaExecutive PresidentDemocratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka – The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia 6

Government vision cont.

NavalHub

EnergyHub

AviationHub

Commercial Hub

KnowledgeHub

Sri Lanka - Miracle of Asia


Challenges and Opportunities

■ 15 National Universities

■ 2 Buddhist Universities

■ 17 HE Institutes

■ 12 Advance Technological

Institutes

State sector HE structure Post Advanced level Study Options

Supply vs. Demand



Implementation

■ Position Sri Lanka as a regional education hub in South East Asia

□ Expand HE provision to meet local demand

□ Attract international HE providers

□ New regulatory framework to monitor quality across state and private sector provision

□ Establishment of international campuses

□ Expand in-country delivery of foreign degrees and qualifications through TNE partnerships

□ Market Sri Lanka as a study destination in the region



Implementation cont.

■ Pass new Higher Education Act

■ Ease restrictions on state universities to enrol foreign students and offer internationally accredited programmes

■ Incentives to stimulate rapid expansion of private educational provision

□ Provide 20% additional HE places for SL students

■ Attract 10,000 foreign students by 2014 and increase to 100,000 by 2020

■ Establish 10 world-class foreign university campuses by 2013

■ Develop higher education as one of our key exports



Implementation cont.

■ Legislation – HE Act, Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council

■ Up-grade state universities to world-class universities

■ Promoting non-state sector higher educational institutes

■ Provide maximum opportunities for HE within the country

■ Enhance institutional freedom - deregulation

■ Multiple routes and pathways – choice and flexibility – local – national

– international – Institutional

■ Incentives (Ministry, BOI etc.)

■ Public-Private Partnerships

■ Reduce dependency on treasury fundsUniversity of Peradeniya Sri Lanka



Marketing Sri Lanka as a centre of excellence

■ Agriculture

■ Creative industries (fashion, design)

■ Hospitality, Tourism, Travel and Leisure

■ Health and Life Sciences (traditional medicine – Ayurvedha)

■ Architecture

■ Philosophy (Buddhism etc.)

■ Conflict and peace studies

■ Security and defense studies

■ Business, Finance, IT, Management (BPO etc.)

Uva Wellassa University



Comparative Advantage

■ Geographical location

■ Rich heritage

■ Diverse culture

■ English language

■ High literacy rate (93%)

■ Recognition of the importance of Education

■ Low cost of living

■ Safety and security

■ High quality national universities



Questions and learning from others

■ What is our niche? (subject areas, UG or PG?)

■ Regional accessibility?

■ Student experience/support systems?

■ Brain gain?

■ Access, equity, quality – avoiding state/private divide?

■ How to balance international academic standards with national needs and local identity and culture?

■ Funding models?



Thank you


Documents

Ministry of Higher Education Sri Lanka Sri Lanka The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia Dr Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne Secretary Ministry of Higher