A Constructivist Approach Towards Quality Development in Universities: An Issue of Quality in Sri Lankan Universities
Abstract
The quality of university education in Sri Lanka has been an issue persistently raised by stakeholders. Among the initiatives to address this issue were the Improving Quality of Undergraduate Education, strengthening staff development activities, introduction of more stringent schemes of marking for promotions,establishment of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency, and initiation of the Distance Education Modernization Project to introduce on-line and blended learning.
The analysis of categories of academic staff clearly indicates disparities among more established Universities and newer Universities and among Science-oriented disciplines and others such as Law,Visual & Performing Arts and Management/ Business-related Studies.
The paper argues that system-wide approaches need to be paralleled by multi-faceted Faculty and Departmental action. Staff development should lead to perceptible improvements in teaching, research and dissemination of knowledge. Senior faculty should function as role models and mentors. Definition of role functions of academic staff at different grades can positively contribute to the development of faculty cultures.
Sri Lanka Journal of Advanced Social Studies, Vol 2:No. 2, July – December 2012; Page 5-21
© 2013 Chandra Gunawardena, published by National Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (NCAS)
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons License.