Search Results | VOCEDplus, the international tertiary education and research database

Online learning in Sri Lanka's higher education institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic

Sri Lanka made a remarkable transition to online tertiary education after closing its higher education institutions ... Show more
Sri Lanka made a remarkable transition to online tertiary education after closing its higher education institutions in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. According to the universities surveyed, nearly 90 per cent of student respondents have been able to access online education. The lack of consistently stable, high-speed internet access was the most significant challenge for students and faculty in continuing tertiary education during the early onset of COVID-19. This brief outlines lessons and opportunities to improve online learning modalities based on the experiences of Sri Lanka on the transition to online tertiary education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Sri Lanka has made improving access to quality tertiary education a top priority under its new economic framework. But the pandemic has resulted in emerging issues and challenges given the need for a radical shift toward online learning. This brief underscores the need to step up policies and measures for equal access to online learning that caters to and addresses the needs of education institutions, faculty, and students.
Edited excerpts from publication and publisher's website. Show less

Authors: Hayashi, Ryotaro; Garcia, Marito; Maddawin, Angelica; Hewagamage, K. P.

Date: 2020

Geographic subjects: Sri Lanka; Asia

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: ADB briefs

Subjects: Higher education; Tertiary education; Teaching and learning ... [+] Show more
Recalibrating careers in academia: professional advancement policies and practices in Asia-Pacific

Teachers are at the centre of quality higher education systems. This understanding is part of the international com ... Show more
Teachers are at the centre of quality higher education systems. This understanding is part of the international community's 17 Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] introduced in September 2015. Goal four is known as SDG4 - Education 2030, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. This vision requires high quality teachers using learner-centered, active and collaborative pedagogical approaches. To meet this need requires an understanding of how to effectively train, hire and promote the next generation of scholars. To address this challenge, UNESCO Bangkok and experts from the Education Research Institutes Network (ERI-Net) launched a two-year project to assess professional advancement policies and practices of higher education teaching personnel in Asia and the Pacific.
One of the outcomes of the project is this collection of case studies on academic promotion. The volume collects promising practices and assesses emerging challenges in how higher education teaching personnel are recruited, evaluated and promoted in Asia and the Pacific. Further, it presents important issues that are fundamental to UNESCO's mandate, including to promote gender equality and address concerns of teaching personnel with disabilities as well as the fair treatment of part-time staff and other potentially vulnerable people.
Edited excerpts from publisher's website.
The contents are as follows: Synthesis report: case studies on professional advancement policies and practices in higher education in Asia-Pacific / Libing Wang, Wesley Teter; Academic staff promotion in Australia: characteristics and concerns / Martin Hayden; Academic promotion of higher education teaching personnel in Cambodia / Leang Un, Bonarin Hem, Seng Sangha; Academic promotion of higher education teaching personnel in Hong Kong / Roger Chao, Gerard Postiglione; Promotion in the academic profession in India: upward mobility of teachers in higher education / Jandhyala B. G. Tilak, A. Mathew; Academic promotion of higher education teaching personnel in Indonesia / Helmi; Academic promotion of higher education teaching personnel in Japan / Taro Mochizuki; Academic promotion of higher education teaching personnel: a Korean case / Kiyong Byun; Academic promotion in Malaysian public universities: amidst changing priorities and multiple reward systems / Ibrahim Che Omar, Aida Suraya Md. Yunus, Norzaini Azman, Ahmad Nurulazam Md Zain; Academic promotion of higher education teaching personnel in the Philippines / Ethel Agnes P. Valenzuela; Academic promotion in higher education institutions within the purview of the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka: a review / Ranjith Senaratne; Academic promotion of higher education teaching personnel in Thailand / Nopraenue S. Dhirathiti; Appendix: UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of higher-education teaching personnel (1997 recommendation) / UNESCO. Show less

Authors: Wang, Libing; Teter, Wesley

Date: 2017

Geographic subjects: Australia; Oceania; Asia ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Providers of education and training; Higher education; Employment ... [+] Show more
English skills for employability in the 21st century

The objective of this paper is to discuss the changing needs of courses designed to prepare students for careers. E ... Show more
The objective of this paper is to discuss the changing needs of courses designed to prepare students for careers. English skills for employability began with ensuring students were sufficiently fluent in English to function in the workplace. Today, the needs have morphed into a mix of English for academic purposes, English for professional purposes, and English for social purposes, including upward mobility. This paper is based on data collected at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, through the coaching of final-year students. Approximately 60 students were taught in each institute. Employers were also consulted in the design of lesson material, based on feedback from internships. The results show that the employers' needs keep changing to keep abreast of the needs of a 21st-century office. The outcome is that students need to be fluent in English, be aware of the rules of written genres such as official letters, emails, press releases and taking minutes, and be familiar with etiquette, cross-cultural communication and fine dining. Despite the diversity of needs, the general belief of employers is that graduates can barely spell, let alone achieve the multifaceted tasks expected of them.
Published abstract. Show less

Authors: Gunesekera, Manique

Conference name: International Teacher Educators Conference

Date: 2013

Geographic subjects: Asia; Singapore; Sri Lanka

Resource type: Conference paper

Subjects: Language; Skills and knowledge; Employment ... [+] Show more
Engendering access to STEM education and careers in South Asia

Building a skilled and diverse science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce is crucial for ec ... Show more
Building a skilled and diverse science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce is crucial for economic development, cross-border trade, and social inclusion in South Asia. However, underrepresentation of girls and women in STEM education and careers remains a persistent issue. What kinds of macro and micro socioeconomic interventions are needed to increase girls' and women's access to and participation in STEM education and careers in South Asia? This report compares trends in South Asia with global trends to examine how access to and choices of STEM fields affect girls' enrollment in upper secondary education, technical and vocational education and training, and higher education in the region as well as their selection of careers. Based on the analysis, it offers recommendations to policy makers and practitioners to improve inclusion.
The following are among the findings: (1) the five key opportunities to foster inclusion and enrollment in STEM education - and staunch the 'leaky pipeline' - are at the upper primary, lower and upper secondary, and tertiary education levels, and during the early career years; (2) a strong pathway from STEM education to career depends on an integrated, systematic approach that motivates students to pursue STEM fields, builds STEM skills, and removes barriers to diversity; and (3) with the increasing migration of workers between countries in South Asia, preparing a critical mass of semiskilled and skilled STEM migrant workers has cross-border value, especially for workers migrating from smaller to larger economies.
New ways of defining STEM occupations are required to help develop and sustain female interest in STEM education and careers. Potential strategies that governments can pursue include raising awareness and building knowledge and skills in STEM outside the formal academic environment, such as in after-school programs, science fairs and competitions, and summer camps, and developing and systematically disseminating standardized resources. Inclusion and diversity must be championed by governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders who stand to benefit from more diverse workforces. Though women themselves would likely be credible champions, in South Asia they are often constrained by a range of factors. This report addresses some of those obstacles.
Edited excerpt from publisher's website. Show less

Authors: Sosale, Shobhana; Harrison, Graham Mark; Tognatta, Namrata; Nakata, Shiro ... [+] Show more

Date: 2023

Geographic subjects: Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Bhutan ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: South Asia Development Forum

Subjects: Industry; Gender; Participation ... [+] Show more
Guidelines on developing and strengthening qualifications frameworks in Asia and the Pacific: building a culture of shared responsibility

National qualifications frameworks [NQFs] and their implementation at subject, occupational and professional levels ... Show more
National qualifications frameworks [NQFs] and their implementation at subject, occupational and professional levels are powerful tools to meet requirements for more outputs and processes-driven quality assurance systems. NQFs have the potential to ensure a greater common understanding of [learning outcomes] LOs among all the stakeholders in tertiary education. Efforts for the regional harmonization of LOs under common qualifications frameworks will also facilitate the international recognition of qualifications among Member States in the Asia-Pacific region.
Excerpt from publication. Show less

Authors: Wang, Libing; Teter, Wesley

Date: 2018

Geographic subjects: Asia; Oceania; Australia ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Guide

Subjects: Qualifications; Governance; Higher education ... [+] Show more
A cross-cultural comparison of student learning patterns in higher education

The aim of this study was to compare student learning patterns in higher education across different cultures. A met ... Show more
The aim of this study was to compare student learning patterns in higher education across different cultures. A meta-analysis was performed on three large-scale studies that had used the same research instrument: the Inventory of Learning Styles (ILS). The studies were conducted in the two Asian countries Sri Lanka and Indonesia and the European country The Netherlands. Students reported use of learning strategies, metacognitive strategies, conceptions of learning and learning orientations were compared in two ways: by analyses of variance of students' mean scale scores on ILS scales, as well as by comparing the factor structures of the ILS-scales between the three studies. Results showed most differences in student learning patterns between Asian and European students. However, many differences were identified between students from the two Asian countries as well. The Asian learner turned out to be a myth. Moreover, Sri Lankan students made the least use of memorising strategies of all groups. That Asian learners would have a propensity for rote learning turned out to be a myth as well. Some patterns of learning turned out to be universal and occurred in all groups, other patterns were found only among the Asian or the European students. The findings are discussed in terms of learning environment and culture as explanatory factors. Practical implications for student mobility in an international context are derived.
Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less

Authors: Marambe, Kosala N.; Vermunt, Jan D.; Boshuizen, Henny

Date: 2012

Geographic subjects: Asia; Indonesia; Sri Lanka ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Article

Journal title: Higher education

Subjects: Students; Higher education; Teaching and learning ... [+] Show more
Developing government policies for distance education: lessons learnt from two Sri Lankan case studies

Education, especially higher education, is considered vital for maintaining national and individual competitiveness ... Show more
Education, especially higher education, is considered vital for maintaining national and individual competitiveness in the global knowledge economy. Following the introduction of its 'Free Education Policy' as early as 1947, Sri Lanka is now the best performer in basic education in the South Asian region, with a remarkable record in terms of high literacy rates and the achievement of universal primary education. However, access to tertiary education is a bottleneck due to an acute shortage of university places. In an attempt to address this problem, the government of Sri Lanka has invested heavily in information and communications technologies (ICTs) for distance education. Although this has resulted in some improvement, the authors of this article identify several barriers which are still impeding successful participation for the majority of Sri Lankans wanting to study at tertiary level. These impediments include the lack of infrastructure/resources, low English language proficiency, weak digital literacy, poor quality of materials and insufficient provision of student support. In the hope that future implementations of ICT-enabled education programmes can avoid repeating the mistakes identified by their research in this Sri Lankan case, the authors conclude their paper with a list of suggested policy options.
Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less

Authors: Liyanagunawarden, Tharindu; Adams, Andrew A.; Rassool, Naz; Williams, Shirley

Date: 2014

Geographic subjects: Sri Lanka; Asia

Resource type: Article

Journal title: International review of education

Subjects: Teaching and learning; Technology; Higher education ... [+] Show more
International student enrolments in New Zealand 2003-2009

This report summarises the publicly available data, from three main sources, on enrolments of international student ... Show more
This report summarises the publicly available data, from three main sources, on enrolments of international students within New Zealand education provider sectors from 2003 to 2009. Summary information is also stated on the numbers of approved student visas and permits during 2003 to 2009. This information is disaggregated by origin, according to the key markets of North Asia, South-East Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America, and the developing markets of Latin America and South Asia. Further information is given on the estimated economic value-added to New Zealand from international education.
From a peak of 121,190 international fee-paying enrolments in 2003 there has been a 23 per cent decline to 93,505 enrolments in 2009. This decline initially mainly affected private training establishments and schools, and from 2005 a reduction in total enrolments within the public tertiary education sector was also recorded. In 2009 a near six per cent increase in international enrolments was recorded, reversing the trend since 2003. The main beneficiaries of this growth were private training establishments, particularly English language schools.
Excerpt from the Education Counts website. Show less

Corporate authors: New Zealand. Ministry of Education. International Division

Date: 2010

Geographic subjects: Oceania; New Zealand; Asia ... [+] Show more Zealand; Korea (South)">Korea (South); East">Middle East; Arabia">Saudi Arabia; for United Arab Emirates">United Arab Emirates; America">North America; States">United States; title="Search for Central America and the Caribbean">Central America and the Caribbean; America">South America; [-] Show less

Resource type: Government report or paper

Subjects: International education; Participation; Migration ... [+] Show more
Innovative strategies in higher education for accelerated human resource development in South Asia: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. The efficiency of the higher education system is vi ... Show more
Sri Lanka is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. The efficiency of the higher education system is vital for maintaining Sri Lanka's momentum and for its move to the next stage of development. In order to maximize the full development potential of the higher education system, strategic interventions will be needed at both the national, such as creation of appropriate economic and institutional regimes, as well as an efficient national policy for fostering innovation, and university levels. University-level interventions would include capacity building, improvements in the learning environment, exposure of students to the world of work, and promoting international best practices. This publication is part of a series of six country reports on technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and higher education in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
The report presents current arrangements and initiatives in Sri Lanka's skills development strategies. These are complemented by critical analyses to determine key issues, challenges, and opportunities for innovative strategies toward global competitiveness, increased productivity, and inclusive growth. It emphasizes making skills training more relevant, efficient, and responsive to emerging domestic and international labor markets.
Edited excerpts from publisher's website. Show less

Corporate authors: Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Date: 2016

Geographic subjects: Sri Lanka; Asia

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: Innovative strategies in TVET and HE for accelerated HRD in South Asia

Subjects: Higher education; Workforce development; Providers of education and training ... [+] Show more
Sri Lanka: fostering workforce skills through education: employment diagnostic study

This study examines Sri Lanka's employment situation, including issues of aging and skills generation, and draws re ... Show more
This study examines Sri Lanka's employment situation, including issues of aging and skills generation, and draws recommendations from the analysis. Empowered Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka's development policy document, envisions reorienting the country toward a modern and high-value-adding economy that is able to compete in the global market. Expanding the middle class and improving the living standards by creating one million jobs are at the core of the policy. This report seeks to support the realization of that vision by analyzing Sri Lanka's employment situation and drawing recommendations from the analysis. The report starts with an overview of the labor market in relation to both supply and demand. It then looks at the issues of aging and skills generation. The concluding chapter examines links between labor market trends, informality, and poverty.
Abstract from publisher's website. Show less

Corporate authors: Asian Development Bank (ADB) ... [+] Show more

Date: 2017

Geographic subjects: Sri Lanka; Asia

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: Employment diagnostic study (ADB/ILO)

Subjects: Workforce development; Skills and knowledge; Employment ... [+] Show more