Title: Improving Relevance and Quality of Undergraduate Education in Sri Lanka: the need for a change in public funding strategy

Authors: Pradeep Randiwela, Siriyama Kanthi Herath

Addresses: Department of Commerce, Faculty of Management and Finance, University of Colombo, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka. ' School of Accountancy, J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University, 35 Broad Street N.W, Atlanta, GA 30303 USA

Abstract: This article discusses the importance of improving relevance and quality of higher education in Sri Lanka. Undergraduate education should be directed towards the needs of the country. Graduate unemployment is an issue in Sri Lanka, which needs urgent remedial actions. This paper also reviews the main features of the funding mechanism in Sri Lanka and identifies issues of concern in funding strategy in Sri Lanka. This is an opportune moment to assess the extent to which Sri Lanka should and can reform its funding strategies for higher education and there are many lessons to be learned from international practice.

Keywords: graduate unemployment; public funding strategy; higher education quality; higher education relevance; Sri Lanka; undergraduate education; learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2008.017364

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2008 Vol.5 No.3, pp.300 - 316

Published online: 02 Mar 2008 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article