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? Core product offering Tertiary education Management and ownership More than 50% of ownership in non- government sector Profit/Non-profit orientation Either profit oriented, or not for profit organization

Core product offering

Tertiary education

Management and ownership

More than 50% of ownership in non- government sector

Profit/Non-profit orientation

Either profit oriented, or not for profit organization

What is National Development? Economic growth Increased Gross Domestic Production Social well being Less conflicts in the society. Every one’s happy! Quality of living Education, healthcare, purchasing power etc

Economic growth

Increased Gross Domestic Production

Social well being

Less conflicts in the society. Every one’s happy!

Quality of living

Education, healthcare, purchasing power etc

Demand & Supply for Tertiary Education in Sri Lanka Source: UGC http://www.ugc.ac.lk/statistics/General/indicators.htm Excess DEMAND

Can the Government Alone, Meet this demand? 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 outflow When Sri Lankan students go abroad for higher studies, they take out a large amount of foreign exchange from the country

Foreign exchange outflow

When 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 shock When 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

Reverse cultural shock

When 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 drain The 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

Brain drain

The 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 skills Meanwhile, 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

Underutilized skills

Meanwhile, 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 Substitutes Where there’s excess demand, there will always be low quality “products” entering the market. By not allowing a proper system of non-state universities, we are creating an opportunity for low quality affiliate degree programs, to scam the money from Sri Lankans

Incompatible Substitutes

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

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!

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

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

Tertiary Education for all… Who are qualified enough, and willing to contribute to the national development process

Let’s do it for them… Thank you!