The government is working on establishing a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) to oversee and regulate private universities, covering both those currently in operation and future institutions, an official disclosed. This SOP aims to introduce new guidelines that will be presented to the Cabinet for initial approval before seeking parliamentary consent.
Building on initiatives from the previous administration, the new government plans to incorporate additional measures into the SOP to ensure improved quality and regulation in the private university sector. According to the official, who wished to remain anonymous, over 20 private institutions in the country are currently offering degree programs.
Historically, efforts by successive governments to enact regulatory legislation for private universities have encountered obstacles, often due to opposition from student groups resistant to expanding private sector education. The current initiative underscores the government’s intent to position Sri Lanka as a competitive education hub while addressing concerns over academic standards in the private sector.
Currently, only state universities fall under the regulatory oversight of the University Grants Commission (UGC), which lacks authority to ensure the academic quality of degrees offered by private universities. The new SOP will aim to fill this gap by setting up a framework to regulate, mentor, and accredit private institutions, ensuring the quality and consistency of their academic programs.
The official noted that the SOP will be applicable to all private universities currently operating and those to be established in the future, aiming for long-term academic and institutional improvement.