This is the title of a report written by Professor David Swinfen (ex Vice Principal of the University of Dundee) following his review visit to Sri Lanka from 14th to 26th February. He visited seven of the 13 universities in Sri Lanka – including the most affected ones of Ruhuna (in Matara & Galle), South Eastern (near Ampara) and Eastern (in Batticaloa & Trincomalee) – plus some other institutions including the University Grants Commission.
Read the Findings & Conclusions and Recommendations (1 page)(note: Appendix 4 covers ‘Specific areas of potential collaboration with UK higher education institutions’)
Tony O’Brien, Director of the British Council in Sri Lanka, wanted to explore how the UK could help higher education institutions in Sri Lanka to respond to the challenges presented by the tsunami, and to contribute to discussions going on in the UK. He invited David Swinfen to conduct a review, and was joined by Lynne Heslop, the British Council’s Manchester-based Regional Education & Training Advisor for central & south Asia. As the three of them travelled around the country and talked to people responding to the disaster it was clear that:
The needs of the Universities most affected by the tsunami are not confined to the immediate impact on property and loss of life, but on their capacity to meet the needs of the regions within which they are situated. (Findings and Conclusions – no.2)
Meeting the needs includes developing traditional activities such as fishing and agriculture, perhaps by developing seaweed farming or the rearing of ornamental fish for export; or by restoring coral reefs; or by dealing with problems of soil salinity (which existed before but are now much more serious) through development of new seeds. The staff of the universities are resourceful and imaginative in their ideas for the future, but they face a number of difficulties.
In order to service their localities better, the Universities must be strong, well resourced, and with well qualified staff. (Findings and Conclusions - no.3)
Discussions explored how all these aims could be achieved.
Higher Education in the UK can help with this in so many ways – training of staff in research methods and teaching competence, helping to develop existing and new courses, providing scholarships, exchanging staff and students, carrying our joint research. (Findings and Conclusions - no.4)
What next?
Prof Swinfen urges the British Council to disseminate the report widely in the UK and to discuss its findings with appropriate government departments, national organisations and funding councils 'with a view to developing a co-ordinated strategy and avoiding duplication of effort.' His message to higher education institutions is
HEIs throughout the UK are urged to find creative ways to encourage staff to spend time in Sri Lanka, supporting teaching programmes and curriculum development. (Recommendation 4)
Tony O’Brien has circulated the report to all the institutions visited in Sri Lanka, and is encouraging discussion and co-ordination at the Sri Lanka end. Meanwhile Lynne Heslop and colleagues in Education & Training Group are stimulating debate within the UK.
If you have any suggestions to offer, please contact Tony O'Brien or Lynne Heslop.
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