During the meeting, representatives from FUTA informed the President about the problems arising within the university system and the challenges faced by academics, particularly due to the delays in completing university degree programmes on time over the recent period for various reasons.
The President instructed FUTA to prepare and submit a plan for the speedy completion of these degree programmes while maintaining their quality, for the efficient execution of the accumulated workload, and for enhancing research and development activities. He further stated that the government would ensure the necessary facilities are provided to implement this plan.
Attention was also drawn to the measures needed to improve the quality of higher education, as well as the recruitment and retention of university academics and staff within the universities.
Also present at the occasion were the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya; the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunathilaka; the Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando; alongside a delegation from FUTA, including its Chairman, Professor P.R. Weeratunga and Secretary, Charudaththa Ilangasinghe.
