uni. intake to be increased by 10,000 next year - G. L. peiris

 By Kelum Bandara  

The intake for universities will be increased by 10,000 for the next academic year, Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday. 

After a meeting with the Peradeniya university authorities including the deans of the nine faculties, the Minister told Daily Mirror yesterday roughly around 41,000 students could be admitted to 13 state universities next time as a result.  

It is the largest annual increase in the intake.  

According to the Minister, the number of students for the medical faculties would be increased by 369 students and the engineering faculties by 405. Besides, he said plans are in place for the inclusion of compulsory subjects such as Information Technology, Computing and English language studies for students of Liberal Arts and Humanities.  
“It was a refreshing idea that was discussed ,” he said.  

He said the government has decided to address the mismatch between the degree courses and employability of students.  

“We want to make sure that students get gainful employment,” he said.