Sri Lanka internationalises higher education with global collaborations

•  Cabinet nod to enter 10 MoUs between national universities and foreign universities 

In a significant step towards internationalising its higher education sector, the Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between national universities and prestigious foreign universities. 

“These partnerships aim to elevate Sri Lankan universities in global rankings, encourage research collaborations and enhance academic opportunities for students and faculty,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday. 

These included;

• Memorandum of understanding between University of Sri Jayewardenepura and University of Wuhan in People’s Republic of China with the objective of conducting education programs in the fields of mutual interest, including taking necessary steps for promotion, development, and establishment of education and research training programs, organisation of combined workshops, conferences

• Memorandum of Understanding between University of Sri Jayewardenepura and University of Isu in Japan with the objective of promotion of mutual understanding and cooperation between two parties in respect of higher education and science and technology, and transferring the information related to higher education, scientific research, and related activities and education staff, researchers, and students, and promotion of combined research activities.

• Memorandum of Understanding between University of Sri Jayewardenepura and University of Agder in Norway with the objective of development and promotion of combined research, education, and training programs, as well as conducting student and education staff transferring programs, combined workshops and training sessions, and transferring the publications.

• Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the University of Deakin in Australia with the objective of identification of short-term training courses and projects.

• Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Moratuwa and the University of Linyi in the People’s Republic of China for participation in the conferences and academic meetings with the objective of promoting cooperation of the postgraduate programs based on the mutual requirements and benefits and transferring educational information and other information.

• Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Peradeniya and the Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Sciences and Technology, in India with the objective of transferring the relevant research and education programs and learning materials and other relevant literature information, and conducting programs such as organisation of combined conferences or workshops, short term continuing education programs in the field of mutual interest.

• Memorandum of Understanding between the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka and Shandong University of Science and Technology in China with the objective of facilitation for transferring students, educational staff and researchers for limited time period in the collaborative fields such as supervision of combined research, learning, training, research and innovations including the first graduations, postgraduates and doctorates and conducting in-service training programs for probationary lecturers.

• Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka and State University of New York Cortland in the US with the objective of promotion of research collaborative programs, transferring faculty educational staff and students’ programs, educational opportunities in foreign countries, clinical experiences, and consultation and cultural programs.

• Memorandum of Understanding between the Open University of Sri Lanka and The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia with the objective of performing activities collaboratively in respect of graduate and postgraduate courses.

• Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Kelaniya and National Korean Maritime and Ocean University in the Republic of Korea with the objective of promotion of education and combined research programs and organisation of combined workshops and conferences.

The proposal to this effect submitted by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya in her capacity as the Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Minister was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.