Keynote AddressAnnual Research Sessions

2011Faculty of Education

University of ColomboOctober 20, 2011

Prof. L. L. RatnayakeProject Director, HETC Project

Is This Age Old Theory Correct?Work Hard – Do well in Studies – Do a University

Degree – Get a Good Job

Present Day Kids May Not Believe in it

Current System of Higher Education Was Designed, Conceived and Structured For A Different Age

- The Intellectual of Enlightenment(It May Not be Valid Any More)

Changing Roles in School Education

For Higher Education

• Higher Education in 20th Century

• Elite Education – Small Number of Students (Brilliant, Rich, High Society)

• Universities – Small in Number (Well resourced, Good Facilities, Dons were well paid & respected etc.)

• Higher Education in 21st Century• Elite Education – Large Number of Students ( Brilliant to Not Brilliant, Rich & Poor, From all Strata of Society)

• Universities – Large in Number (Under resourced, Good & not so good Facilities, Dons are not well paid, Not so respected etc.)

Technological Skills & Competencies

Th

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alyt

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lls Scientific

OccupationsMathematics, Science, Economics & Social Science

Professional OccupationsNatural & Biological Science, Medicine, Business, and Engineering

Vocational OccupationsTrades & Services

Conceptual-IntuitiveExperimental-Applied

Typology of Occupations in an Underdeveloped Economy

Middle Level OccupationsTechnology, Business &

Applied Arts

Middle Level OccupationsTechnology, Business &

Applied Arts

Technological Skills & Competencies

Th

eore

tica

l K

no

wle

dg

e &

An

alyt

ical

Ski

lls

Scientific OccupationsMathematics, Science, Economics & Social Science

Professional OccupationsNatural & Biological Science, Medicine, Business, and Engineering

Vocational OccupationsTrades & Services

Typology of Occupations in a Knowledge EconomyConceptual-Intuitive

Experimental-Applied

Source: Determinations for the Outline National Framework of Qualifications, 2003

Educationists Will Have Many

Challenges to Face in 21st Century

"Changing the Face" can Change Nothing

But "Facing the Change" Can Change Everything.

Educationists Have a Major Role to Play To

Make Sri Lanka a Prosperous Country

Thank You