Lanka accepts MU’S free education offer

CHENNAI: Madras University Vice-Chancellor G Thiruvasagam said the Sri Lankan government “has agreed in principle’ to the University of Madras” free higher education to the Tamil refugees living in various camps in Sri Lanka.

He told reporters after the 152nd year convocation held here on Tuesday that a meeting was organised to discuss the various aspects of the free education scheme on Monday.
 

Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi, Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner to India Vadivel Krishnamurthy, Kalaivanan, IAS, director of rehabilitation, syndicate members and registrar participated in the meeting.
 

He said Krishnamurthy “has contacted the Sri Lankan government, which has agreed in principle to the proposal.” He revealed that the government of Sri Lanka was expected to give permission to begin the courses in the refugee camps in the Island nation after the presidential elections and before the end of March.
 

Thiruvasagam said that a team from the University would visit Sri Lanka to finalise the implementation of the scheme.

It may be recalled that the University of Madras has come out with a proposal to impart free higher education to the Tamil refugees living in various camps in the country and in Sri Lanka a few days ago.
 

Explaining the decisions arrived at the meeting, Thiruvasagam said it has decided to appeal to the State, the Centre and the Sri Lankan government to get the necessary permission for the free education programme of the refugees.

“Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi will take up the matter with the Centre,” he said.
 

Saying that the BA English and B.Sc computer courses would be offered to the students at the camps both in India and Sri Lanka, he said “We have decided to complete the admission process by February or March and the classes would be started from the next academic session onwards in the camps in India.

The classes would be conducted at refugee camps. The local colleges may also be approached for the conduct of the courses.”   (Express News)