6 Local Universities among top 100 in South Asia- SB

Six local Universities were ranked among the top 100 in South Asia, said Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake.

Addressing a gathering of university lecturers and Higher Education Ministry officials last Tuesday (19), he said that Colombo, Peradeniya and Moratuwa universities are among these.

The University of Colombo was ranked 24 in South Asia. It is ranked 2146th in the world. Peradeniya and Moratuwa universities were ranked 31st and 32nd in South Asian, and were ranked 2417th and 2897th in the world.

Sri Jayewardenepura University is ranked 51st in South Asia. Minister Dissanayake stressed that the university has progressed well during the past years.

In addition to this, Universities of Kelaniya and Ruhuna have achieved 56 and 70 ranks in South Asia.

“We have achieved commendable development as a nation of the world within the past few years. According to the latest statistics, we are the second economic development rate holders in the world. We are only second to Republic of China,” the minister said, adding that, this is just a milestone on the way to success in the Higher Education system, with more to achieve.

He said the ministry’s mission is to become the most cost effective higher education hub in Asia, while developing the country’s university system. He added that local universities will, in future, be ranked among the top 100 in the world.

He said that currently the ministry is constructing university hostels.

“We have already completed 30 hostels for undergraduates across the country, while the second phase for 30 more hostels are being implemented and the President will be opening them in the near future,” he said.

“While providing infrastructure, we are more concerned with upgrading the academic culture as well,” Minister Dissanayake concluded.