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UGC to regulate private higher education

31 Mar 2021

  • Regulations in new Higher Education Act

  • Main purpose is quality assurance

  In order to assure the quality of non-state sector higher education institutions, the University Grants Commission (UGC) is to bring in regulations to such institutions under a proposed new Higher Education Act. Speaking to The Morning yesterday (30), UGC Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunge said that the lack of regulation in the non-state sector of higher education is a serious issue and that the proposed Act will include provisions under it to regulate the aspects related to quality assurance. “The lack of regulation is a serious issue in the non-state sector. We will not be interfering in the monetary aspects. But regulations will be brought in under this Act to ensure the quality of the education provided in non State sector higher education institutions.” At present, the UGC, which is established under the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978, has recognised the degrees and diplomas awarded by 20 non-state higher education institutions established under the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007. Of these institutions, 18 have been granted degree-awarding status by the Ministry of Education, as per the UGC website. The UGC, which functions as the apex body of the university system in Sri Lanka, was established on 22 December 1978 under the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978. Its functions include planning and co-ordination of university education, allocation of funds to higher educational institutions, maintenance of academic standards, regulation of the administration of higher educational institutions, and regulation of admission of students to higher educational institutions.


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