Sri Lanka to get US$ 145 million from Asian Development Bank for science and technology in higher education
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to give Sri Lanka US$ 145 million for science and technology in higher education, developing curricula with industry inputs to nurture a new breed of technology-oriented graduates.
The ADB and four Sri Lankan universities have reportedly signed project agreements for the funds under the ADB funded Science and Technology Human Resources Development project to foster science and technology in Sri Lanka’s higher education.
“The project will help nurture a new breed of technology-oriented graduates equipped with skills and entrepreneurial spirit for the economy,” Sri Widowati, ADB Country Director in Sri Lanka has been quoted as saying.
A statement has noted that Sri Lanka’s education system is facing several challenges in delivering quality learning relevant to the labor market, particularly in science, technology, and engineering subjects.
Higher education opportunities as a whole are limited, with the gross enrollment rate at less than 19 percent—much less than the 50 percent average for upper middle-income countries.
Although more than 60 percent of undergraduates in Sri Lanka are female students, they overwhelmingly (about 82 percent) concentrate on liberal arts and social studies where unemployment is highest.
“Encouraging more women to take technology disciplines will increase women’s career opportunities in technical areas where wages are high,” the ADB has stated.
“Existing degree programmes in scientific or engineering areas are more theory-oriented and lack practical applications of knowledge and skills,” the statement has further noted.
OSL take:
The ADB assistance for Sri Lanka to develop the subject of science and technology in higher education has opened an opportunity for foreign education institutions to explore the possibility of taking part in the project. An interested foreign education institution could look at introducing their latest modules in science and technology education by forming joint ventures with local education institutions.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/15022019/Z_2 |