News
India and Lanka commit to more cooperation in education and skills training
ITEC Day Celebration by High Commission of India
To mark 58 years of capacity building partnership between India and Sri Lanka through Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), High Commission of India in Colombo celebrated ITEC Day 2022 on Sept 28.
An Indian High Commission release said: Education Minister Susil Premajayantha and Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nihal Ranasingha graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour respectively. The event was attended by over 100 participants, which included ITEC alumni from Sri Lanka, officials and professionals from diverse sectors who have participated in various training courses in India under ITEC programmes.
In his address, the Minister of Education lauded the historically close relations between India and Sri Lanka for more than 2000 years. He appreciated India for the ITEC slots and the annual scholarships offered to Sri Lankan nationals, and thanked India for the financial support extended to Sri Lanka in recent months. The Minister highlighted the scope for further cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in the field of higher education, skill development and capacity building, especially from India’s STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and IT sectors. He also referred to the comprehensive National Education Policy of India and its benefits for students and educators.
Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay noted the enormous interest shown by Sri Lankan officials for the ITEC programme over the years. He emphasised the importance of ITEC cooperation and remarked that “sky is the limit” for India-Sri Lanka partnership in education and skills training. High Commissioner highlighted India’s endeavour to help Sri Lanka in the education sector, including in higher education through partnership between higher education institutes in India and Sri Lanka, besides the current 402 ITEC slots and around 700 scholarships offered every year.
The participants reminisced and shared their experiences of ITEC training in India and appreciated the holistic content of the different ITEC programmes. Prof. Ilmi Ganga Hewajulige, Additional Director General R&D of Sri Lanka’s Industrial Technology Institute, who had undergone ITEC training programme on ‘Science, Technology and Innovation Policy’ at the Indian Institute of Sciences (IISC),Bengaluru described the programme as ‘a package of knowledge and experience’. She added that the information gathered on policy drafting and I-STEM were highly informative and the learnings had already been put to use in Sri Lanka as Sri Lanka’s National Science Foundation (NSF) has started a similar concept on I-STEM to have collaboration with the Indian system. Rishad Akram Rafi, Manager of Cyber Security & Compliance at Sunshine Holdings Plc., who attended Young Leaders Neighborhood Fellowship Programme at the St. Stephen’s college, New Delhi highlighted the lectures and experience he received in India in diverse fields ranging from Economics, constitutions, Policy planning, Political science, Healthcare & Law. Sasija Gayeshini Silva, Deputy Director of Education, Zonal Education Office at Chilaw, who attended the ITEC course on “Design Thinking Approach for Innovative Organizations” conducted by Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida said that the ITEC training motivated her to work for her motherland with renewed energy. Chathurdi Udari Withange, Career Counsellor at University of Colombo,who attended the ITEC training program conducted by Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA), Bengaluru termed the training as “life changing” experience and mentioned that she will use the training to help others to find their inner peace and happiness through Yoga. The participants also remarked that the training modules were synchronised with modern technologies and were social relevant.
ITEC is a flagship programme of the Government of India launched in September 1964 for extending technical assistance and enhancing capacity building of friendly developing countries. It has emerged as an important vehicle for India’s contribution to human resource development of partner countries with over 200,000 persons from 160 fellow developing countries having participated in the programme. Sri Lanka is currently allotted 402 training slots annually for the ITEC programme. Every year Indian diplomatic Missions celebrate this South-South partnership all over the world as ‘ITEC Day’.
The Indonesian Naval Ship, ‘KRI SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA – 367’, arrived at the port of Colombo today (22 Jan 26) on a scheduled port call for logistics replenishment and a goodwill mission.
In keeping with time-honored naval tradition the ship was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon arrival.
The 90.71m – long Sigma Corvette FS is commanded by Commander Annugerah Anurullah.
During the stay in Colombo, the crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city limits.
Further, this visit provides an avenue to enhance professional interaction and courtesy engagements among two navies.
The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ arrived at the Port of Colombo on a logistics replenishment visit today (22 Jan 26).
The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.
The 75m – long ship is commanded by Lieutenant Commander Hamad Bin Mohammed Aldarmaki. The port call will facilitate professional interaction and goodwill exchanges between the two navies.
During her stay in Colombo, crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city of Colombo.
News
Mechanism to be established involving university academics and experts for Education Reforms – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Government is taking steps to establish a comprehensive mechanism, supported by an appropriate legal framework, to bring together university academics, experts and all relevant parties in order to resolve issues arising during the implementation of education reforms.
The President made these remarks during a discussion with the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) held on Wednesday (21) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the discussion, FUTA members emphasized the challenges encountered while trying to implement educational reforms through a framework established by the National Institute of Education, in line with the current laws and regulations.
They further emphasized that while their association acknowledges the need for new education reforms, the urgency of such reforms is greater for students in rural schools than for those in urban schools.
The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations further stated that they appreciate the decision taken by the Government, under the leadership of the President, to address the issues arising from education reforms and affirmed their readiness to contribute to this process.
As a continuation of the previous discussion, proposals addressing the challenges faced by academics within the university system, along with possible solutions, were presented to the President. In response, the President emphasized that the Government would take all possible measures to safeguard the university system and strengthen education.
The discussion also covered proposed amendments to the Universities Act.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake noted that, in the aftermath of the recent disaster, the Government has been effectively implementing a nationwide rebuilding programme, addressing economic stability, development and all critical sectors. The President also called upon university academics to actively support these reconstruction efforts.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunathilaka, as well as representatives of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations, including its President, Prof. P. R. Weerathunga, Vice President M. A. M. Sameem and Secretary Charudaththe Ilangasinghe.
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