Monday, October 12, 2015

What After A/L’s ?

What After A/L’s ? 

Continued :

Selecting an accredited & recognised Higher educational institution to get your Degree!!!  (Part 02)

 

As we discussed in my previous two related articles (links given above) about the Higher education options a Sri Lankan Student has in Sri Lanka, in their quest for higher education and training, students and the public sometimes encounter “DEGREE MILLS” – dubious providers of educational offerings or operations that offer certificates and degrees that may be considered bogus.

After A/L’s, if you have not entered a local National University system, of course you can do A/L’s for one more year. Annually around 200000 students sit for the A/L exam in Sri Lanka. Only 16% of all eligible Sri Lankan students are recruited to local National Universities, according to the University Grants Commission (UGC) website, leaving 84% neglected in terms of access to higher studies. This has resulted in over 9% studying abroad, a number based on unconfirmed statistical data, according to top Sri Lankan academic, Dr. Athula Ranasinghe, the Head of Economics at the University of Colombo.
I hope that now you have a clear idea of how to choose a recognised university for you or your son/daughter in Sri Lanka or abroad after reading my related 1st & 2nd Articles.
I further wish to stress on the part that we should always go for a University in the following two groups which I have explained in my previous articles as well.
I have highlighted the Admission criteria’s of both the Universities Associations which are set to ensure that universities within  the Association membership are committed to the mission, vision and values of the Association, as well as a steadfast belief in education, social responsibility, international development, and collaboration with other like-minded institutions.
1. Association of Commonwealth Universities
2. International Association of Universities
Association of Commonwealth Universities :
As the first; and the oldest international recognised & highly reputed University network in the world, the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) has been serving for more than 100 years to the Globe, established in 1913. With over 500 University members, ACU represents a range of public and private universities throughout the Commonwealth.
The ACU is equally proud to be able to draw on its own and its members' experience and expertise in the planning and introduction of new and innovative programmes that continue to meet the needs of higher education, now and into the future. 
Admission criteria for Full members
·        Must be legally incorporated and situated in the Commonwealth (unless they have chosen to remain in membership when their country withdraws or is removed from the Commonwealth)
·        Must be approved by the appropriate government authority to provide higher education
·        Must be approved by the appropriate government authority to award their own degrees
·        Must have at least 250 full-time equivalent students (50% of whom must be studying at first or higher degree level)
·        Must have graduated at least one cohort of students
Associate members are not eligible to vote at General Meetings or participate in elections for the ACU Council or its officers.
International Association of Universities :
IAU, founded in 1950, is the UNESCO-based worldwide association of higher education institutions. It brings together institutions and organisations from some 120 countries for reflection and action on common concerns and collaborates with various international, regional and national bodies active in higher education.
Admission criteria for Full members
AU institutional membership is open to institutions whose main objective is higher education and the development of knowledge. Applying Universities and other higher education institutions must:
·        be public or private not-for-profit;
·        be degree-conferring institutions;
·        be recognized by a national competent body or its equivalent;
·        have undergone, at the national or regional level, a process of quality assurance or accreditation, or, if such a process does not exist, be a member of a national or regional association of universities;
·        be dedicated to the study of several branches of knowledge*;
·        grant at least a three-year, first cycle or undergraduate degree;
·        have graduated at least three cohorts**;
·        be at the level of higher education, as shown by the active participation of their staff in scientific or scholarly research and by the equipment placed at their disposal;

Since 1991 AMASA EDUCATIONAL SERVICES has been consulting and admitting over 5000  Sri Lankan students to mainly Indian Government Commonwealth Universities and also for other countries such as New Zealand, Malaysia, Canada etc,... .
Majority of our students have gone to India as you can finish a complete degree including 3 year Hostel fees, 3 years food & living expenses & total University fees within Rs. 10 00 000.00 (One million Sri Lankan Rupees). That too you can pay in instalments within the 3 years. 
After graduation they then either come back to Sri Lanka to follow the Postgraduates  in any National Government University such as, University of Peradeniya or University of Sri Jayawardenapura etc,… or some migrates to countries like Australia, UK, USA, Canada, Europe etc,...
We assist them in each and every step they take until they finish their studies. 
Further we do assist them in getting Permanent Residency in Countries like New Zealand & Canada as well. 
Contact us on 0777 840028 for further information regarding this or visit our website www.education.amasa.lk

By : G.A. Amodha Galgamuwa

AMASA EDUCATIONAL SERVICES