Annual Report 2010 - Ministry of Finance and Planning

Ministry of Finance and Planning Sri Lanka > Annual Report 2010Administrative Service officers werepromoted to Class I after a long periodof time.The National Teacher Transfer Policywas introduced to maintain systematicteacher transfers and enhance servicedelivery.University Education for KnowledgeAlmost 21,547 students were offeredadmission to Higher EducationalInstitutions in 2010. However, atpresent only around 17 percent ofstudents who qualified for universityadmission are able to enter into publicuniversities.The Government incurred a largeamount of money during the last fiveyears with a view to providing thenecessary infrastructure facilities. Thisenables an intake of more studentsto provide hostel accommodationto a large number of students. Thetotal financial assistance provided tohigher education institutions, includinguniversities has increased significantlyfrom Rs. 15.1 billion in 2007 to Rs 18.1billion in 2010 representing an increaseby 20 percent. Total capital investmentamounted to Rs. 6,587 million of which60 percent was financed through theConsolidated Fund.A total sum of Rs. 3,500 million wasallocated for the new construction andcontinuation of projects in 2010. Thiswas an increase of 5.4 percent whencompared to the amount allocatedin 2009. There were 60 constructionprojects in progress at different levelsin the University system and another22 projects were completed at a costof Rs. 2,781 million in 2010.Demand Driven Degree ProgrammesNew market oriented degree courseshave been introduced by a numberof universities in order to ensureproductive employability of graduates.These programmes include following -Win the Economic Challengesthrough Science and TechnologicalInnovationsDevelopment of Science, Technology andResearch Sector is given new recognitionin the economic development strategyof the country. The annual investmentin science and technology sector hasincreased from Rs. 802 million to Rs.2,481 million by 2010.The main policy objective of scienceand technology is to foster a nationalscience culture that effectivelyreaches every citizen of the countryand to progressively increase theresource base for scientists andtechnologists necessary to respond tothe development needs of the country.During the past few years, investmentswere made in science and technologysector to provide solutions to manyof the important global and nationalissues and to address the major socialconcerns such as alleviation of poverty,achieving food security, energy security,Table: 1.37 > Demand Driven Degree ProgrammesName of CourseAnimal Science & FisheriesFood Production & Technology ManagementAquatic Resources TechnologyPalm and Latex Technology & Value AdditionHospitality, Tourism & Events ManagementUniversityPeradeniyaWaymabaUva-WellassaUva-WellassaUva-WellassaSource: University Grants Commission89