(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –State Minister of Technology and Innovation made a request from Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological education (SLIATE) students urging them not to think along conventional lines in matters relating to the upgrading of SLIATE degree awarding status, and other affairs of the institution but to join hands in stepping forward.
He made these remarks at a meeting with students representatives of SLIATE in Dehiwala. when he made an observation visit to the Institution. He further elaborated as follows
“ In upgrading in this institution to the degree awarding status, the SLIATE Act has to be amended first. The objective of this institution is to save the way for a better future for students who achieved good results, but were deprived of the opportunity of entering the universities. In our attempts at improve in the standards of the institution, the students have felt a certain uneasiness, misinterpreting our attempts as privatization of education. Nothing like that will never happen. We will update you in a very transparent manner as to what we will do in future. When an institution is being upgraded to the Degree awarding status, it has to be opened to the world. We need to create an institution with capability of providing knowledge to suit the demand for jobs in the world. Knowledge being Internationally exchanged is vital for this purpose. The value of the degree being awarded is decided accordingly.
In improving the institution the benefits for the academic and non- academic Staff should also be increased and physical resources also should be upgraded. Therefor, without letting the government bear all the burden, the institution should also think of earning an income. We hope to implement a development plan in future for this purpose ensuring that no injustice is caused to the students pursuing studies at the institution.”
The Students representatives expressed their belief that action will be taken to upgrade the institution in a manner that safeguards the free education rights of the students, as majority of student pursuing studies at SLIATE do not come from wealthy backgrounds.
This event was also attended by Mr. Chinthaka Lokuhetti, Secretary to the ministry, higher officials of SLIATE, Mrs. S.S Samarakkodi acting director of SLIATE – Dehiwala.
