The document discusses several "miracles" that call into question the Sri Lankan government's claim that it can become a knowledge hub with its current underfunding of universities. It notes that university funding and spending on research and development have been decreasing as a percentage of GDP for decades. It also highlights problems like lack of facilities, low salaries driving away qualified academics, and students entering university without adequate skills. The teachers association argues increased investment in education is needed to actually improve the university system and make Sri Lanka a true knowledge hub.

1. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT
UNIVERSITIES,
KNOWLEDGE HUBS
AND
THE MIRACLE OF ASIA
7th August 2012 University of Moratuwa Teachers Association (UMTA)

2.  University academics are protesting, the funding cuts, lack
of autonomy, lack of facilities for research, politicization of
universities, drop in standards of university entrants etc.
 Government says that asking for 6% of GDP cannot be
given. They also say these are political agendas. They also
say that Sri Lanka will become a knowledge hub and the
Miracle of Asia.
 The University of Moratuwa Teachers Association presents
its view to you. It seeks your attention for the 2 minutes it will
take you through the Ten Miracles of Education.

3. Miracle #1: Sri Lankan Universities produce
more graduates with less money!
71000 130,000
70000
120,000
student in 2002 Constant Rs
Recurrent Expenditure per
69000
Expenditure (Rs. Per
110,000
68000 year)
Student Enrollment
67000 100,000
66000 90,000
65000
80,000
64000
70,000
63000
62000 60,000
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

4. Miracle #2: SL Universities will lead the creation of
a Knowledge Hub by spending less on education
every successive year
2
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
%
1
0.8
0.6
0.4 University Expenditure as % of Government
0.2 Expenditure
0
1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Year

5. Miracle #3: SL where % of qualifying students entering
universities has remained the same for 20yrs, is to
become a knowledge hub
30
25
20
% 15
10
5
0

6. Miracle #4: SL where only 0.05% of GDP is spent on research (ranked below
Ethiopia) is to become a global knowledge hub. Moreover, only less than 1% of
university spending is on research (leading universities spend 16%)
Sri Lanka
Typical Western
 Academics are essentially researchers from which they teach
students. Deprive them of funds for same and they leave or simply
become note givers!

7. Miracle #5: SL the knowledge hub where only 2/3rd of academic
positions can be filled and of those in service, only 40% have PhD
qualifications.
Academic Cadre Posts Approved (2009) – 7,510
Cadre Posts Filled by 31st Dec 2010 – 4,984 (

8. Quiz……..
 What proportion of benefits would a senior engineer
forego if he/she were to join a university by leaving an
industry position in Sri Lanka?
Answer - 2/3rd
(Less pay, No medical, No insurance, No quarters, No
transport, No Bonuses, No concessionary loans, No
support staff, No direct telephone, Not even
scholarships!)
 Did you also know that university academics earn just
1/10th of what they can earn at a university abroad. Have
you wondered why they stay in Sri Lanka?

9. Miracle #6: SL, a knowledge hub where universities
produce a medical doctor for less than USD 10,000
and an engineering graduate for less than USD 6000
Medicene 191,452
Agriculture 134,969
Science 131,551
Engineering 104,533
Arts 56,172
Commerce & Management 33,928
- 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000
Recurrent Expenditure Per Student Per Year

10. Miracle #7: SL, a Knowledge Hub where an Internationally
accredited Engineering Degree is provided at 1/10th or less of the
international cost.
70,000 66,667
USD per student per year
60,000
50,000
41,025
40,000
30,000 25,547
20,000 14,745
10,000
1,761
-
U of California Singapore-NUS U of Oregon U of Cape Town Sri Lanka Unis
* In Sri Lanka an International Highways cost more to build than elsewhere, where
dinner at an international hotels cost as much, where an international sportsmen
is paid as much as his counterparts elsewhere. But an international degree is
provided at 1/10th the international price.

11. Miracle #8: Where students entering universities after
competitive AL exams are found to have poor learning skills
and attitudes but who are still transformed to ‘world class
graduates’
Assessment of Skills and Attitudes Engineering Undergraduates possess at entry -Sc
Willing to study / Learn
Not Exhausted
Conceptually Sound (Subject Basics)
Experienced in group work
Honestly indicating the member …
Good speaking and writing in university …
Experienced in using basic office-software
Good in speed reading
Having Good Social values
Trained in timely submission of outputs
Good vocabulary
0
1.00
1
2.00
2
3.00
3
4.00
4
5.00

12. Miracle #9: SL, a Knowledge Hub that makes the
least public investment on education.

13. Quiz….
 How many years does it take for the Payback of the public
investment of producing an Engineering Graduate at a Sri
Lankan University?
 Three (03) Years!!
 Is there a better investment?
 Cost of 4 Years of Uni Education – Rs 500,000( @2010 prices)
 Monthly value of service with only GCE AL qualifications – Rs 20,000 increasing at say 5%
p.a.

14. Miracle #10: SL, to show how a Knowledge Hub can be created by
ending less than 2% on education where others countries required 4

15. India

16. The World Definition of a Hub is a place which pulls resources
(good teachers) and demand (good students)
Sri Lankan Government definition of a Knowledge Hub is where
professors and
professionals continue to leave the country in search of better

17. Did you know that by reducing Defence Spending by
4% , university recurrent spending can be doubled?
2012 Budget Allocations (Rs
250000 mn)
200000
150000
Recurre
nt
100000
50000
0
Defence and Urban Development Higher Education

18. Quiz….
 How many Engineering graduates could have
been produced with the USD 162 million loss
from the hedging deal with Standard Chartered
Bank?
27,000 (what the country needs for 15 years!)
 If it was commercially invested at 12% it would be
enough to provide for 4,500 children to enter
university annually.

19. The Next Miracle
 From the 1970s, our Politicians allowed a very
good school education system to deteriorate to
one that is now only exam oriented and tuition
class dependent.
 Now the next phase of this Miracle is to destroy
the existing university system by creating
mushrooming ‘universities’ similar to how the
tuition culture came to being, where higher
education will be restricted mostly to skill
development, then commercialized, packaged

20. So What…?
 Ensure State universities are adequately funded so
that current staff is retained and encouraged to
develop their facilities.
 Undertake systematic reforms that will provide all
students more access to and choice in higher
education while improving quality to meet modern
market requirements.
 It’s a Civil Society Issue and not just a university staff
salary issue. Its about education and the future of Sri

21. Thank you.
Spread the message…
Save our universities and schools
…. Increase funding…..
Lets target 6% of GDP for
education!