Medical Faculty deans to discuss transferring SAITM to SLIIT

28 September 2017 08:15 am - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The deans of eight medical faculties are to meet today (28) at the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) to explore the feasibility of transferring the ownership of the South Asia Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) to Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) based on the restructuring module recommended by the five-member Presidential Committee chaired by Deputy Minister Harsha de Silva, reliable sources said.

Dean of the Medical Faculty of the University of Kelaniya, Professor Nilanthi de Silva in a letter sent to medical students last week had asked them to attend lectures again, saying that the SAITM issue would be settled in a positive manner soon, the Daily Mirror learns.

In the letter dated September 19 she had hinted that the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) would be taken over by another entity which she had said "would most probably be SLIIT".

“SAITM will be taken over by another entity (most probably SLIIT) and when it is done within 2-3 months, SAITM will cease to exist and there will be no further admissions (i.e- it will be abolished),” it said.

It had also stated the government had repeatedly maintained that its national policy was to permit private education and according to the policy a non-profit institution like SLIIT, which already has a reputation of offering high quality degrees is a better alternative than the SAITM.

Moreover, it said when the SLIIT or any other entity takes over the MBBS degree programme it would have to obtain fresh approvals in order to adhere to the minimum standards specified for medical education institutions in the country.

Also it had requested the medical students to attend a discussion to be held in Kelaniya University faculty auditorium today at 11am to discuss the demands put forward by the students to return to lectures.

However, sources close to student unions said their participation in today’s discussion was uncertain.

Meanwhile, Speaking to the Daily Mirror Deputy Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs Dr. Harsha de Silva said last night that the Presidential Committee headed by him had called for the restructuring of the SAITM and for it to be linked to a government authority.

The Deputy Minister said he is not aware of any discussions that were taking place but it is moderate thinking. “Let them go ahead and discuss,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Executive Committee of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) would also meet today, reportedly to take several vital decisions over SAITM. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

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Comments - 10

Yehiya Thursday, 28 September 2017 08:40 AM

Every doctor must submit psychological report every year.

BUSHEL Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:08 AM

over to Mr. Mangala Samaraweera for your comments please.

AjithZ Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:16 AM

Whatever it is, please don't block the possibility of education in a private medical college. There should be an option for students who do not get selected to government medical universities. As long as necessary standards are maintained they should be able to achieve their goals after paying a fee. This is not selling a degree.

Naveen Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:29 AM

Very good suggestion. SLIIT IT graduates are working in Govt.Banks IT sections. Their quality is excellent. SLIIT was incorporated under the Companies Act as a private company limited by guarantee which functions as a not for profit organisation, awarding undergraduate and both taught and research postgraduate degrees in computing, business and engineering approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Universities Act of Sri Lanka.

I Know SLIIT Thursday, 28 September 2017 11:30 AM

SLIIT is a place with a lot of corruption going on. However, they wrapped the corrupt acts very professionally. I hope FCID or any other body initiate investigations on SLIIT management soon.

Sarath Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:29 AM

The deans have shown their stupidity and cussedness though this proposal, and they have no right to propose to transfer the ownership of a private organization to another private company just because they hate the name of the former.

sivaponniah Thursday, 28 September 2017 03:15 PM

Well said. Who are this people to talk about transfer of ownership, when they are themselves perpetuating to abolish SAITM?? Jokers are meeting for a cup of tea.

Lord Wolfstein Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:37 AM

What is it for a country where the professors have to beg their students to follow lectures? How can the students dare to make demands? This ungrateful pack is studied at the expense of the people. In any civilized country, students who are not attending lectures would be fired from the university.The universities in Sri Lanka have one of the lowest reputations in the world. Any private medical university can only be better than the state universities and would be a proud of Sri Lanka. The private universities in the US like Harvard or Princeton are among the best universities in the world.

citizen Thursday, 28 September 2017 01:37 PM

SLMC deans cant think, having sat on 'chairs' too long. Suggest football or netball. Dont transfer private property for manipulated 'fresh standards' as SAITM already has legally approved standards. You deans align afresh with law and order and give internship training to SAITM MBBS.. Take fresh intake to state med schools.

SAM SPARROW Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:46 PM

No need. Let the SAITM run independently. Who are these GMOA to decide on this.

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Medical Faculty deans to discuss transferring SAITM to SLIIT

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