Batticaloa campus faces scrutiny

Higher Education Minister Rauff Hakeem said yesterday the Batticaloa campus would be subjected to a thorough examination to determine whether it could be granted the degree-awarding status.

He said the campus authorities had submitted an application in 2017 requesting for degree-awarding status but it had not been granted yet.

He told Daily Mirror that all institutions had to fulfil relevant criteria stipulated by his ministry in order for them to be accredited with degree-awarding status.

Basic physical infrastructure facilities and the quality of courses, as well as lecturers, are considered in granting such accreditation. The campus is in the centre of controversy over allegations that its authorities are planning to offer courses that border on religious extremism.

Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah is the president of the campus. (Kelum Bandara)