Data bank essential to establish proper management in uni system: Amunugama

Minister of Higher Education and Research Dr. Sarath Amunugama stated that the University Grants Commission together with the Ministry of Higher Education and Research should maintain a data bank that updates properly to establish a proper management and orderliness within the university system. The Minister stated these facts addressing a meeting held with the Heads of Departments on 20 May.

Currently, it is a coherent shortfall that we do not maintain such a data bank. Therefore, this lapse should be addressed as soon as possible. Then it is convenient to answer any issue or requirement at once when it arises using the relevant data. The data can be provided for the requirement without any hesitation. Then it would be able to act with responsibility as institutes with highest public attraction and reliability in the country, the Minister further stated.Accordingly, a system should be built to update this data bank using modern technology and statistical methods, and to forward the updated data, instantly, to the relevant divisions. This should be established so as to include activities in all the divisions, including the allocation of provisions to universities and institutes, disbursements, development projects, student enrolments, and academic and non academic staffs.

The transparency should be always there in an institute that is responsible to the public. The Minister further explained that the public reliance can be further developed through that transparency.

A gathering, including Secretary to the Ministry Piyasena Ranepura, University Grants Commission Chairman Prof. Mohan De Silva and University Grants Commission Deputy Chairman P.S.M. Gunaratne participated in the event.