October 21, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called on the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at expediting the completion of undergraduate degree programmes without compromising academic standards.
The proposed plan is also expected to address the growing backlog of academic work and promote more robust research and development initiatives across the university sector.
The directive was issued during a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (20), where FUTA representatives raised concerns over persistent delays in completing degree courses and highlighted the challenges currently faced by academic staff in the public university system.
These delays, which have become more frequent in recent years, have been attributed to a range of administrative and systemic factors, including limited resources and disruptions to academic calendars.
Dissanayake assured the delegation that the Government stands ready to provide the necessary infrastructure, funding, and institutional support required to put such a plan into action. He emphasised the importance of delivering timely, high-quality education while also enhancing the nation’s capacity for research and innovation.
The discussion also turned to broader structural issues within the higher education sector, including the urgent need to attract and retain qualified academic staff. Both parties acknowledged that the quality of teaching and research is inextricably linked to the well-being and professional development of university academics.
Among those present at the meeting were Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr Harini Amarasuriya; Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka; and Labour Minister and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando. The FUTA delegation was led by Chairman Professor P.R. Weeratunga and Secretary Charudaththa Illangasinghe.
