administration of state universities, sri lanka

8/3/2019 Administration of State Universities, Sri Lanka

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January 13, 2012 ktpraba 1

University Grants Commission

The University Grants Commission

(UGC) is the apex body of theUniversity System in Sri Lanka whichwas established on 22nd December1978 under the Universities Act No.

16 of 1978.


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The functions of the UGC

Planning and coordination of universityeducation,

Allocation of funds to Higher EducationalInstitutions (HEIs),

Maintenance of academic standards,

Regulation of the administration of HEIs

and Regulation of admission of students to

HEIs.


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The MissionThe Mission of the UGC is to promote andsustain through resource allocation, a widely

accessible university system that isaccountable to the public and dedicated to thehighest levels of learning, professional trainingand research, relevant to the needs of thecountry, by facilitating, in partnership with

other stakeholders of higher education, thediversification and the assurance of quality ofacademic programmes and the emergence ofcenters of excellence in teaching andresearch.


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COMPOSITION OF UGC

The Commission shall consist of a

Chairman, a Vice-Chairman and five other

members, all of whom shall be appointedby the President.


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Standing Committees and ad hoc

Committees The Commission may, from time to time,

appoint such Standing Committees and ad

hoc Committees consisting of suchnumber of members and with such

powers, duties and functions as may be

determined by the Commission, so

however that the Chairman of each suchCommittee shall be a member of the

Commission.


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The responsibility of the Standing

Committee The responsibility of each Standing

Committee is to report and make

recommendations to the UGC on matterspertaining to higher education in

respective areas


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Standing Committees

Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine & Animal Sciences

Career Guidance and Student Welfare in Universities

Management Studies

Education & Distance Education

Engineering & Architecture Humanities & Social Sciences

Indigenous Medicine

Information Technology Development

Libraries and Information Sciences

Medical & Dental Sciences

Postgraduate Studies and Research Quality Assurance and Accreditation

Sciences

Staff Development in Universities

Teaching of English


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Terms of office of the Members of

the UGC Every member of the Commission,

including the Chairman and the Vice-

Chairman, shall, unless he vacates office

earlier, hold office for a term of five years

reckoned from the date of his

appointment, and shall, unless removed

from office, be eligible for reappointment:


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CEO

The Chairman shall be the chief executive

officer and the Accounting Officer of the

Commission.

The Chairman shall be in control of the

day to day administration of the affairs of

the Commission


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The Secretary

The Secretary shall be responsible for the

custody of the records and the property of

the Commission, and shall also be the

Assistant Accounting Officer of the

Commission


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Power of the UGC to inquire into or investigate the financial needs of each

Higher Educational Institution;

to prepare in consultation with the governing authority ofeach Higher Educational Institution, triennial budgetsfor its maintenance and development, or for any other

general or special purpose; to make recommendations to the Minister as to thenature and amount of grants, out of public funds,which it is desirable or necessary to make to eachHigher Educational Institution;

to determine within the overall wage and salary policiesof the Government, the quantum of remuneration thatshould be paid to different grades of the staff of theHigher Educational Institutions and the nature and extentof the other benefits that the staff should receive;


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Continued

to determine, in consultation with the governing authority of eachHigher Educational Institution, the courses which shall be providedtherein, and the degrees, diplomas, and other academic distinctionswhich shall be awarded;

to determine in consultation with the governing authority of each

Higher Educational Institution, th

e total number of students whichshall be admitted annually to each Higher Educational Institutionand the apportionment of that number to the different courses ofstudy therein;

to select students for admission to each Higher EducationalInstitution, in consultation with an Admissions Committee whosecomposition, powers, duties and functions shall be prescribed by

Ordinance; to determine in consultation with the governing authority of each

University, the external examinations which it shall conduct forenabling those who are not students of the University or of anyrecognized institution, to obtain degrees, diplomas, and otheracademic distinctions of the University;


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Continued..

to determine from time to time

(a) the structure and composition of each Higher EducationalInstitution established or deemed to be established under this Actor any appropriate instrument;

(b) the Faculty or Faculties, and the Departments of Study thereof,

to be assigned to each such Higher Educational Institution; and(c) the subjects or disciplines of study to be provided or taught in

each such Higher Educational Institution;

to transfer or re-allocate the holder of any post other than that ofteacher, students, equipment and other facilities of any HigherEducational Institution

to investigate or to cause investigation into such matters pertainingto the discipline of the students, or to the academic, financial orgeneral administration, of any Higher Educational Institution, and totake remedial measures; and

3.


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Continued..

to formulate schemes of recruitment and proceduresfor appointment of the staff of the Higher EducationalInstitutions, and to determine from time to time, thevarious grades of staff and the numbers comprising eachof such grades;

to do all such other acts or things as may be necessaryfor effectively exercising any of the powers specified bythe University act.


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Power of the Commission to

make Ordinances The Commission may make Ordinances in

respect of all such matters as it may deem

necessary to enable it to effectively

exercise, perform and discharge its

powers, duties and functions under this

Act


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Matters to make ordinances

the terms and conditions of service of the staff of the Commissionand of the Higher Educational Institutions;

the schemes of recruitment, and the procedures for appointment, tothe staff of the Commission and of the Higher EducationalInstitutions;

the establishment and maintenance of standards of instruction inHigher Educational Institutions for the grant of degrees, diplomas,and other academic distinctions;

the co-ordination of facilities in and around Higher EducationalInstitutions;

the nature and scope of extension services which may be provided

and organized by Higher Educational Institutions; the recognition of foreign degrees and diplomas and other academicdistinctions; and

any other matter connected with, or incidental to, any of the mattersaforesaid.


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Powers of USAB

to conduct investigations into appointments andpromotions alleged to have been made to the staff of theCommission and to Higher Educational Institutions incontravention of the schemes of recruitment and theprocedures for appointment in force

to consider appeals from employees of the Commissionor any Higher Educational Institution, who have beendismissed, compulsorily retired, or otherwise punishedfor misconduct, inefficiency or dereliction of duty, againstsuch dismissal, compulsory retirement or other

punishment to consider appeals from employees of the Commission

who were employees of the old University or any HigherEducational Institution, relating to compensation payableto employees of the old University


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Location

The University Grants Commission

located at No.20, Ward Place,

Colombo 07 has a land area of

128.97 perches.


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Goals

Access: Increase access for all prospective students by enabling morechoices in higher education

Equity, Quality and Relevance: Enhance Quality, Equity and Relevanceof Academic Programs to Upgrade the Standards in Higher Educationinculcating Life- Long Learning

Scholarship, Research and Service: Foster a Culture of Scholarship,Research and Service to Humanity to facilitate a Knowledge Economy

Accountability, Financial Viability and Efficient Management: EnsureAccountability, Sound Performance, Efficient Management and FinancialViability

Capacity of the UGC : Increase the capacity of the UGC Secretariat toRealize Goals 1-4 Efficiently and Effectively.


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Objectives

the planning and co-ordination of university education so as toconform to national policy;

the apportionment to Higher Education Institutions, of the funds

voted by parliament in respect of university education, and the

control of expenditure by each such Higher Educational Institution;

the maintenance of academic standards in Higher Educational

Institutions;

the regulation of the administration of Higher Educational Institutions;

the regulation of the admission of students to each Higher Educational

Institution; and

the exercise, performance and discharge of such powers, duties

and functions as are conferred, imposed on, or assigned to the

Commission by or under the University Act.


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Strengths

Government commitment to establish a separate Ministry of HigherEducation

Conducting high quality degree programmes matching internationalstandards

Availability of expertise through the standing committees within the

UGC Existence of Universities/HEII covering almost all the provinces

The availability of high speed Wide Area Network (WAN)connectivity through Lanka Educational Academic ResearchNetwork

Satisfactory rapport between the Universities and the UGC

Availability of a solid backbone of quality academics Potential for expansion especially in the universities outside

Colombo


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Weakness

Limited access to university education

Rigid rules and regulations

Inadequate number of qualified staff in newly establisheduniversities

Limitations in government grants

Inadequate residential facilities Poor interaction amongst the stakeholders

Lack of a proactive culture

Varied admission schedules for each University non availability ofuniform calendar

Lack of research and a university culture

Lack of opportunities for life long learning

Limited facilities for sports activities and welfare


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Opportunities

Increasing demand for higher education

Need for new degree programmes

Higher demand for marketable graduates

Possibility to introduce high demand conversion

courses to enhance employability

Diversification of research into areas which can

significantly contribute to national growth Demand for enrolment for courses from

international students


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Threats

Brain drain of qualified personnel

Entertainment of foreign funded projects

without a direct impact on national needsand poor sustainability

Conflicts based on political, social and

ethnic unrest

Union activities which may inhibit the

smooth functioning of universities


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POWERS OF THE MINISTER

The Minister shall be responsible for the generaldirection of university education and the administration ofthe University Act

To order UGC to investigate any activity or

administration of a Higher Educational Institution (HEI)and report to him

To direct the Commission to take such remedial actionas he may consider necessary with reference to any ofthe activities or the administration of the HigherEducational Institution concerned.

To appoint a competent Authority when & wherenecessary

To close any HEI to restore normal conditions becauseof strike or lockout or any other cause


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The Minister may, in consultation with the

Commission, by an Order

Establish a University /a Campus / a University College /

an Institute / an Open University

Assign a name & style

Specify the location Assign a faculty or faculties to the Universities

Specify the department of Study

A University Order, Campus Order, Open University

Order, University College Order, or Institution for HigherLearning Order may, be amended, varied or revoked by

the Minister.


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Establishment of HEIs

Every University Order, Campus Order, Open University

Order, University College Order, Institution for Higher

Learning Order and Degree Awarding Institute Order

shall be published in the Gazette.

Each such Order shall come into force on the date

specified therein and shall, as soon as possible

thereafter, be tabled in Parliament.


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The Chancellors

The President shall nominate the Chancellor of

each University.

The Chancellor shall be the Head of the

University,

He / She hold office for a period of five years

reckoned from the date of his nomination, and

He / She shall, preside at any Convocation ofthe University.


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The Vice-Chancellors

The Vice-Chancellor of a University shall

be appointed for a term of three years by

the President, upon the recommendation

of the Commission, from a panel of three

names recommended by the Council of a

University.


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VCs..

The Vice-Chancellor, being the Chief Executive Officer

of the University subject to the provisions of the

University Act, is the Chairperson of the governing

authority (the Council) and the academic authority (the

Senate) of the University and sub-Committees

established under the Council and Senate. He is also the

Accounting Officer of the University, being responsible

not only for the execution of policies and measures

approved by the Council but also for providing direction,supervision, and control of the University overall

administration and to maintain discipline within the

University.


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Administration of HEIs

Central Administration with the Vice Chancellor as the

Chief Executive Officer along with the Registrar and the

Bursar functioning, overseeing the general

administration and financial management, respectively.

The general administration consists of administrative

divisions, service divisions & units and other auxiliary

divisions/units performing specific functions. In addition

there are several Centers/Units that have been

established with Council approval to perform specificfunctions related to administration, academic teaching

and training, research and development, service

functions and outreach activities.


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The Deputy Vice-Chancellors

The Deputy Vice Chancellor is in-charge of

matters relating to students of the University

such as admissions, scholarships, sports,

recreational and welfare activities, residentialfacilities, disciplinary matters, student societies,

student union activities, student/University

interactions with schools/outside Institutions or

organizations of Learning and any otheractivities pertaining to students.


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DVCs..

The Deputy Vice Chancellor is an ex-

officio member of the Council, the

Senate and other statutorycommittees of the University


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DVCs

The Deputy Vice Chancellor is the chairperson

of the Council sub committees such as the Bond

Committee [violation of bonds and agreements

by both academic and non-academic staff], theWeb Development Committee [development of

the University Website], the Leave and Awards

Committee [granting of all types of Leave to

academic and non-academic staff].


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DVCs

In the absence of the Vice Chancellor, the

Deputy Vice Chancellor functions as the

Acting Vice Chancellor under the

provisions of the Universities Act.

He also discharges duties assigned to

him by the Vice Chancellor, as and when

necessary.


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The office of the Registrar

The Office of the Registrar is the Liaison Office in the central

administration of the university system.

The Registrar is not only the custodian of the university property,

records but also the ex-officio secretary of the Council, the

Governing Authority of the university. The general administration of the university comes under the

purview of the Registrar. Therefore, the Office of the Registrar

liaises with other Departments/Divisions in the university in

organizing various meetings of the standing committees which are

presided over by the Registrar.

As for administrative functions, he makes appointments with various

individuals/experts from institutes outside the university and

performs other routine functions.

administration of state universities, sri lanka

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