Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2024-07-15 (Subject to Confirmation at the next Meeting)

Provision of facilities for the admission of Foreign Students to Degree Awarding Institutes

- Currently, a percentage of 5% is allocated annually for foreign students in 17 universities under the University Grants Commission. In addition, it has been identified that the aim of making Sri Lanka the Knowledge Hub in Asia can be achieved by expanding the opportunities for admission of foreign students to the 26 Degree Awarding Institutions recognized by section 25A of the Universities Act as well. However, it is observed that there is no specific methodology to determine the ability to comply with the recognized minimum qualifications considered for university entrance by each country, as a requirement for admission to a degree in a Degree Awarding Institution recognized under section 25A of the Universities Act in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the proposal made by the Minister of Education to consider the minimum qualification used for university admission in 193 member countries of the United Nations as the minimum qualification for entering into Degree courses offered by the recognized Degree Awarding Institutions under section 25A of the Universities Act in Sri Lanka and to obtain confirmation from the UK NARIC Institution for exceptional occassions not disclosed by the said qualifications, was approved by the Cabinet.