University Grants Commission and World Bank collaborate to promote higher education development in South Asia

Delegates from SAARC countries, officials from UGC, and World Bank at the Regional Cooperation for Higher Education Development event

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Sri Lanka and the World Bank have joined forces to advance higher education operations in the South Asia Region (SAR). This partnership was further solidified under the banner of “Regional Cooperation for Higher Education Development: Options for the South Asia Region”, a joint two-day event and forum, which was held on 6 and 7 June 2023 in Colombo, at the Taj Samudra Hotel. This collaborative initiative was aimed at fostering knowledge exchange, exploring collaboration opportunities, and showcasing recent advancements in higher education.

The initiative brought together distinguished delegates from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Key representatives from the World Bank too were present to contribute their expertise and insights. A special dinner was also hosted during the event, where the keynote lecture was delivered by Sri Lanka Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.

The two-day event successfully achieved its objective of bringing together leaders from the South Asia Region (SAR), and officials from the UGC and the Ministry of Education to explore collaboration opportunities. It provided a platform for fruitful discussions on further enhancing cooperation in higher education. The presentation of the World Bank Report on “Regional Cooperation for Higher Education Development: Options for the South Asia Region”, which was the key focus of the event, offered valuable insights and recommendations for the advancement of higher education in the region.

Ample opportunities for peer-to-peer exchanges, networking, and engagement with the press were provided during the two-day event. The agenda included panel discussions featuring renowned experts such as World Bank Tertiary Education Global Lead Dr. Nina Arnhold and NUS Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Initiative Co-Director Professor Seeram Ramakrishna among others.

The welcome addresses were delivered by UGC Sri Lanka Chairman Professor Sampath Amaratunga and World Bank Country Manager Chiyo Kanda. Important presentations were also made by World Bank Regional Integration and Engagement Director Cecile Fruman and Global Tertiary Education Expert Dr. Jamil Salmi, while the sessions were moderated by World Bank Lead Economist Harsha Aturupane and World Bank Manager Keiko Inoue.

Subsequent to the conclusion of the sessions on the second day, the delegates were treated to an extensive in-person visit to the University of Colombo, to better understand recent higher education developments in Sri Lanka, supported by the World Bank’s Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Operation. These developments have brought about significant innovations, particularly in areas such as enrolment expansion, teaching, learning, assessment, and research and development.

This collaboration between the UGC and the World Bank underscores their shared commitment to advancing higher education in the South Asian region. Fostering regional cooperation, promoting best practices, and facilitating knowledge sharing, this initiative strives to drive sustainable development and address the evolving needs of the region’s higher education sector.