Case for a Virtual University in Sri Lanka

Abstract

PCF10 Sub-theme: Promoting Equity and Inclusion // Sri Lanka considers education as a wealth and offers facilities for education at various levels. It fares well ahead of many countries at primary and secondary education enrolments. However, it is much behind in tertiary education enrolments, thus denying access to quality higher education opportunities for most of the population, due to lack of places in the existing higher educational institutes. Many countries that have set targets to increase enrolments in higher education are considering online education, which offers flexible yet rigorous education opportunities for this purpose. Accordingly, it is proposed that focusing on the positive aspects arising out of Covid-19 pandemic, an online virtual university be established in Sri Lanka, adapting the best practices implemented globally to suit the specific local conditions with maximum flexibility. This would enable increased student intake and widening access to higher education, most of them away from urban centres, for the rural population to pursue higher education at an affordable rate and bring about a social transformation taking Sri Lanka to higher levels. // Paper ID 5888