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by Dr. Athula Pitigala Arachchi

There is a visible increase in the number of prospective students and their parents looking for higher education options. About 240,000 students sat for the A/L examination this year. If the pass rates in the recent years are any indication, approximately 50 per cent of students who sat for the A/L examination will qualify for university entrance.

However, due to the severe constraints in facilities, only about 15,000 students can be admitted to the 12 conventional universities in the country. This will leave more than 100,000 students with no option but to look for alternative means to pursue higher education.

It has been estimated that about 5,000 students go abroad annually for higher studies, some to Western countries such as UK and USA and others to regional countries like India and Malaysia. The loss of foreign exchange has been estimated at more than Rs. 3 billion per annum. Those who cannot afford to travel abroad for education scramble for the limited opportunities available within the country.

While on the one hand the increasing demand for higher education is unmet, on the other, there is also a lack of professionals and skilled workers required by the industry. This is the result of a mismatch over the years between the training provided by the state universities and the skills required for industrial expansion and economic growth.

In this context, it is encouraging to note that an increasing number of private institutions offer innovative foreign degree programs in Sri Lanka at affordable fees. Undoubtedly, the private sector can make a major contribution to satisfy the increasing demand for higher education and to meet the manpower requirements in the country.

Nonetheless, the quality standards of foreign degree programs offered in Sri Lanka could vary widely due to a variety of reasons. While some programs appear to be of international repute, some are of questionable standard; a few appears to be outright bogus qualifications from non-existent 'international universities'. There is an urgent necessity to protect the unsuspecting students and parents from unscrupulous elements whose only intention is to earn a fast buck capitalising on the increasing demand for higher education.

The recent announcement that a Quality Assurance Board would be established soon with, funding from the World Bank grant for 'improvement of quality and relevance of undergraduate education' (IRQUE) is most welcome. Accreditation of institutions and programs and grading of programs on quality and standards of education may help prospective students and their parents to select the programs of their choice on the objective criteria.

In the meantime, students and parents should exercise utmost caution in selecting private education programmes. A clear understanding of the following issues is likely to help in the decision making process.

Some of the foreign degree programs offered are outreach programs conducted by foreign universities in Sri Lanka. Local institutes simply play host and provide the facilities to conduct the outreach programs.

In these instances the entire academic responsibility is borne by the foreign university with teaching staff flying in to conduct the course; local staff may provide limited tutorial support. Understandably, the quality assurance of outreach programs is the sole responsibility of the foreign partner.

Some of the programs may be conducted jointly by the local institute and the foreign university with a varying degree of input by the foreign partner. Again the quality assurance often remains the responsibility of the foreign university.

Some of the local higher education institutes conduct their own Diploma and Higher Diploma programs which are quality assured by foreign universities; these provide a pathway to enter higher levels of relevant foreign degree programs. The higher levels of the foreign degree programs may be conducted by the local institute as franchised programs. Alternatively, students may be required to join the foreign universities to complete the degree; there may also be provision to study on-line with some tutorial support from the local staff.

In the case of franchised programs, the role responsibility for the conduct of the programs, at a prescribed standard, remains with the local institution. There is often close monitoring of the facilities and the conduct of the programs by the foreign partner to assure that the required quality standards are maintained.

A reputable foreign university may not hesitate to withdraw its franchised programs if they feel that the competence of the teaching faculty, the resources available for the conduct of the programs, or the overall management of the academic programs is poor. There can be other permutations of overseas collaborative provision. However, one can be satisfied that the degree programs offered in Sri Lanka from reputable universities have built-in quality assurance safeguards. After all, the reputation of the foreign university is at stake.

Whether or not all foreign universities offering degree programs in Sri Lanka are reputable, is a moot point.

Bogus universities

It is critical to find out whether the foreign universities offering degree programs in Sri Lanka are recognised in the country of origin, and internationally.

Surprisingly, it does not take much effort to register a university in some Western countries and consequently there are numerous bogus international universities selling degree certificates particularly in the Third World.

At a recent interview, I came across an applicant for a position of lecturer with a 'doctorate' from USA. On closer scrutiny it transpired that the 'doctorate' had been earned in less than two years as a part-time student without undertaking any research. Some of these non-accredited universities offer degrees based on one's 'experience', that is, if you can afford the fees; no classes, no tests!.

Students and parents can contact the University Grants Commission to find out about the position of foreign universities. Better still, the relevant high commission or the embassy should be able to advise whether a given university is accredited or not in the country of origin. Membership of international organisations such as the Association of Commonwealth Universities is another indication of recognition.

However, ranking of accredited universities is a much more tricky issue. While there are no official ranking of universities, certain organisations/publications rank universities annually on the basis of a number of variables such as student enrolment, qualifications of faculty, research publications, resources available etc.

For example, The Times and The Guardian each publish a university league table for the UK universities and Asiaweek ranks Asian universities. Ranking by different organisations can be quite different and often contradictory depending on the variables used and the weightage given to each variable, thus adding to the confusion.

In any case, an overall ranking may not indicate the strength of a particular study program. A more realistic approach would be to consider the ranking in relation to the study programs/disciplines of interest.

Since most private higher education institutes in Sri Lanka offer programs on Business and IT/Computing, it would be interesting to look at the rankings for these disciplines; for example, Education Guardian and Times Education Supplement each rank IT/Computing and Business programs in the UK. Similarly, Financial Times provides a list of top MBA programs in the world while Asiaweek ranks Asia's best MBA schools.

Standing of the local institutes

There is no provision under the Universities Act to set up private universities or higher education institutes in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, private higher education institutes, similar to international schools, are registered under the Companies Act and those with foreign collaboration are also registered as BOI approved enterprises under the BOI Act.

However, there is provision under the Universities Act for local institutes to obtain UGC approval to offer local degrees.

There is no such requirement to offer foreign degrees in Sri Lanka, and consequently none of the private higher education institutes is registered with the UGC to offer foreign qualifications. This state of affairs too highlights the importance of the mechanism to accredit education institutes that offer foreign degrees, thus helping reputable institutes to stand out from the rest.

In spite of the reputation of the foreign university and the quality assurance mechanisms that may be in place, it is imperative for the prospective students and their parents to satisfy themselves that the local institution has qualified and competent lecturers to conduct the teaching programs.

Lecturers should also be trained in teaching, methodology in addition to their subject expertise. Having a full-time staff to conduct the programs is a definite advantage as full time lecturers are easily held accountable for their services and are constantly available for the students to seek assistance and guidance.

Laboratories equipped with modern equipment and libraries stocked with adequate copies of text books and other reading material are other facilities that impinge on quality of education. Students should also be provided with adequate support facilities and opportunities for recreation. Prospective students and their parents should insist on receiving verifiable information on the teaching faculty, and also meet the teaching staff and inspect the facilities to reassure themselves about the adequacy of resources.

Experience

It is always interesting to look at the history of the higher education institute and the backing it receives from foreign and local collaborators. A long period of experience may not necessarily be of significance if that is one of poor performance.

Also the progress made by the institution during its period of existence may point to the internal strengths and the capacity for innovation and adaptability to the changing environment.

Affiliations

The affiliation to internationally recognised foreign universities may give an indication of the stature in which the local institution and its programs are held from an external perspective. Having established relations also help local students to obtain credit transfers to foreign universities if they wish to complete part of their studies abroad.

Employability of graduates

Employability of graduates is one of the best indicators of the quality of education programs and their relevance in the local contest. Widely published claims of past alumni holding high profile hobs could be the exception rather than the rule. Prospective students should look deeper and seek information about the average waiting time to obtain the first job, and the average initial salary of recent graduates. These statistics would give an indication about the employment prospects of a particular study program.

Prospective students and their parents should spend sufficient time and effort to explore the strengths and weaknesses of private higher education institutes and programs, before committing their funds and best years of life.

Education is a serious business and students cannot afford to play dice with their future. Students should be convinced that the programs they choose would lay the foundation for success in life and would prepare them for rewarding careers.

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