Lanka loses billions of rupees due to its failure to set up foreign universities – a reply

I, as a retired professor in Medicine with nearly 40 years of teaching experience, wish to comment on Upul Jayasuriya’s views on the above subject published in The Island of 3/2/2022

I beg to disagree withJayasuriya that the GMOA is against the establishment of foreign universities in our country. It has not made an official stand on this subject and in fact worked hand in hand with the locally qualified doctors, especially in the time of crisis, like the pandemic. Although they have studied abroad, their professional standards are similar to ours. Our consultants never discriminate against them and I am personally aware of their high professional standards and competence. The GMOA protested against the medical degree programme conducted by the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine mainly because some students who are not qualified to study medicine were enrolled there.

However, I agree that the GMOA exceeds its mandate and carries out trade union action even to rectify minor deficiencies in the medical adminstration. Trade union action by the GMOA attracts media attention, and what Jayasuriyas’ comments upon is never discussed in the open. The topic of establishing private universities here has not been adequately discussed.

Authorities have not studied the feasibility of establishing such universities in spite of the country possessing uninhabited areas, sufficient staff and other employees. The retiring age of our university professors is 65 years and they have five years of active teaching left. They could be enrolled with the staff of the foreign Universities without throwing a challenge to local teachers. Lots of countries have adopted this model and a large number of our students are undergoing training, the cost of which is prohibitive. Foreign universities if established in our country would be a boon in terms of the foreign exchange earned. Our students need not fear foreigners taking their jobs since they come here only for training. A large number of countries have adopted this model including China, Russia, Malaysia and even Nepal.

I feel that this subject should be discussed by all stakeholders so that the country and students will benefit.

Prof. Upali Illangasekera,

Retired Professor in Medicine

Peradeniya