Current University Education and Challenges faced by Sri Lankan Undergraduates

Abstract

As a pioneer on Sri Lankan economic development, higher education has to play a vital role. Global knowledge on all economic activities is compulsory to win challenges of globalization on entire world as well as individual countries. Higher education is expected to produce public administrative officers, managers, experts and researchers for the development of a country. In current economic setting, employment structure has been diversified unprecedentedly with compare to last several decades. All countries have been integrated to a common market with rapid technological development. Innovative minds are needed for a country to have gradual technological development in order to face future challenges. In achieving this objective, university education has the right potential. Economy can be energized by the use of innovative thinking, activities, effective communication skills and the technology. Accordingly, Sri Lanka needs a higher education system that can create graduates with efficient and innovative. The main objective of this study is to identify the academic issues faced by the undergraduates during their university life. The study used primary and secondary data. The sample consists of 100 university students and 30 currently employed graduates on random basis. Primary data of the study was collected from questionnaires and interviews. In this study descriptive statistical method was used to analyze the data. The findings of this study revealed that university students face many difficulties. Such as lack of resources including reading materials, lack of guidance, lack of career training, finance issues and accommodation.