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Sri Lanka The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia. Dr Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne Secretary Ministry of Higher Education Sri Lanka sec@mohe.gov.lk. Regional Education Hubs: Reality or Rhetoric. Ministry of Higher Education Sri Lanka. Structure. About Sri Lanka
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Sri LankaThe Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia Dr Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne Secretary Ministry of Higher Education Sri Lankasec@mohe.gov.lk Regional Education Hubs: Reality or Rhetoric Ministry of Higher Education Sri Lanka
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 Sri Lanka – The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia
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
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 Rajapaksa Executive President Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka - Miracle of Asia Government vision cont.
Challenges and Opportunities • 15 National Universities • 2 Buddhist Universities • 17 HE Institutes • 12 Advance Technological Institutes Post Advanced level Study Options State sector HE structure Supply vs. Demand Sri Lanka – The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia
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 Sri Lanka – The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia
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 Sri Lanka – The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia
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 funds University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka Sri Lanka – The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia
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 Sri Lanka – The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia
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 Sri Lanka – The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia
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? Sri Lanka – The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia
Thank you Sri Lanka – The Most Cost-Effective Education Hub in Asia