Development of human resources in science and technology: role of university
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Date
2007
Authors
Priyanthi, H. M. R. K. N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya
Abstract
The aim of this study is to explore the university related factors that lead to development of the Human Resources in the Science and Technology (HRST) sector. It was noted that after the G.C.E. A/L examination forty six percent of applicants obtains minimum qualifications required to enter the national universities. Out of them, only two percent get the admission to universities in the science stream.
The development of HRST was recognized as one of the key factor needed to sustain high economic growth. A continuously improving education in sciences and technology is a pre-requisite for rapid growth and development of the country. In Sri Lanka the science faculties of the universities will be on the much broader objectives to development of the science and technology personnel from the qualified students in the science stream.
For the fulfillment of the above objectives surveys and interviews were used as research instrument. Five types of questionnaires were developed to collect the views of students, teachers, university science faculty lecturers, undergraduates and people who were eligible but not admitted to universities.
Ten 1AB schools from three districts, Kandy, Ampara, and Matara were selected to collect data considering convenience. The lecturers and undergraduates were selected from universities of Peradeniya, Ruhuna and Kelaniya. From each district a general hospital and hardy technical college from Ampara were selected for the sample. The researcher visited the schools to administer the questionnaire to students and teachers.
Data were also gathered from the university lecturers, undergraduates and people who were eligible but not selected to universities (ENA) about their views on the four focused areas such as:
1. Responsibility of the university towards the qualified science students
2. Changes of the university system to introduce,
a. Inter-faculty programmes
b. Inter-university programmes
c. new degree programmes
d. University industry relationship
3. Development of the technical college training programmes up to degree level .
4. Private universities to take part on development of HRST
Analysis of data from the interviews and questionnaires revealed that the majority possesses positive attitudes towards the four focused areas. However, all the categories expressed their disagreement for the private universities. A considerable percentage of university science faculty lecturers were not aware of the responsibility of the university towards the qualified science students.
Many who disagreed with the five focused areas did not have an idea about how many of the students who fulfill the minimum eligibility requirement for university entrance, and how many were able to gain admission to universities. According to socio-economic requirement in Sri Lanka major changes should be launched immediately throughout the whole higher education system.
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Keywords
Science education , Human resoources , Science and technology , Role of university