President asks FUTA for plan to fix degree delays, improve university system

Tuesday, 21 October 2025 06:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Anura Kumara Disanayake yesterday urged the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) to prepare a comprehensive plan to address delays in university degree programs and improve the overall functioning of higher education institutions.

At a meeting with FUTA representatives at the Presidential Secretariat, the President stressed the need for a strategy to ensure timely completion of degree programs, better management of accumulated workloads, and stronger research and development initiatives. He assured that the Government would provide the required facilities to implement the plan.

FUTA representatives outlined several issues faced by universities, including recruitment and retention difficulties among academic staff and declining quality standards.

The President said structural reforms were necessary to strengthen the higher education system and called for immediate action to resolve the problems.