The World Bank Grants for Improving Higher Education Quality in Sri Lanka: AHEAD Grant Implementation Issues & Lessons Learnt: A Case of University of Kelaniya

Abstract

This paper examines ongoing implementation issues of World Bank Grants for the Higher Education sector: Accelerating Higher Education and Development (AHEAD) at the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies of the University of Kelaniya. The qualitative research method, particularly a case study, was adopted to collect and analyze data through the lens of stakeholder theory. In-depth interviews were conducted with several key personnel involved in the project. The data was triangulated with additional project documents and observations. Specific critical issues were observed affecting the original implementation plans of the projects. Covid-19 has become the major unforeseen factor affecting volatilities in project targets, inclusive of changes in the expected level of ‘quality,’ particularly in student-related activities. Despite issues in procurements and constructions, several positive lessons were learnt. Findings should lead to a generation of benchmark data in addressing project implementation issues.