UGC to give COVID-19 vaccine for medical students by Feb. end

• UGC grants entrance to 10,000 additional students 
• Govt. offers low interest loans for laptops

Medical students who engage in clinical training will be given the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the month, University Grants Commission Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunga said yesterday.

According to the plan, close to 5,800 medical students, including those attending the Kothalawala Defence University, engaged in practical training and learning at teaching hospitals will be given the vaccine by the end of this month. Prof. Amaratunga made this statement at a press conference held yesterday at the Department of Government Information. 

The move came after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued a directive to health officials following consultations with several ministries, Amaratunga explained. 

The UGC plans to reopen Universities in stages in the near future, allowing segments of the student community to return having been given the COVID-19 vaccine.  

Commenting on how the UGC was managing higher education during the pandemic, Prof. Amaratunga said that with support of the University staff, students and other stakeholders, the UGC was able to move a majority of lectures online. Between 20 March and yesterday, more than 80,000 lectures and many examinations had been held online with student participation above 90%, Prof. Amaratunga said, adding that the pandemic had spurred the Universities to use digitise content and adopt more technology.    

One of the key issues facing many students is that they follow online lecture via smart phone, the UGC chair added, pointing out that it was difficult for them to participate in exams via mobile phones. The Government, he said, has therefore introduced a scheme where students registered with the UGC will be able to obtain a very low interest loan from a State bank to purchase a laptop computer for their online studies. He called the move a victory for students and higher education. 

Last year, in spite of the lockdown the UGC had granted close to 10,000 more students entrance to the university system. “In 2019, we had 30,000 students enter the 15 universities in the country. I am happy to say, in spite of all difficulties we have given the opportunity to 10,000 students in line with the Presidents policy,” Prof Amaratunga noted, adding that the UGC will continue to keep the annual intake at 40,000 from now on.

According to the UGC, the expansion of 10,000 students includes 481 positions for medical students, 565 positions for engineering students, 1,090 for technology, 1,803 for management studies, and 1,608 for arts and humanities amongst others.  

Funds, equipment, resources and staff needed to meet the demands of the expansion have been calculated and will be discussed at a special meeting with the President, Prime Minister, Treasury officials, the UGC and university staff to be held on 2 March.  

“The expansion of the student population in universities, especially by 10,000 does create some challenges. The relevant university staff have already prepared a list of items, equipment, laboratories, resources, funds, staff and other needs to meet the demand. We need to come to an agreement with the Government on the necessary expansion needed. The UGC has estimated what is needed and some of the university staff also want to include their requests and recommendations. These matters will be discussed at the upcoming meeting on the 2nd.” (AF)