COPE findings and USJ reaction: External students left high and dry

Following critical observations made by the COPE (Committee on Public Enterprises) on 20 June, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) has suspended seminars and the registration of external students effective from 23 June as if the external students were responsible for the financial and operational inadequacies of the university.

- A concerned alumnus of SJU

Priorities

Has the COPE taken into account the expansion of the university, the student intake and the manner in which its academic courses are conducted? To my understanding, SJP has 15 faculties and a student intake of approximately 15,000. Its activities have expanded both vertically and horizontally during the last few decades thanks to the Vice Chancellors and the academic staff. An academic institution of this standing needs a sound financial base and a motivated staff, as the annual Treasury grant is grossly inadequate.

Arbitrary action

According to the University Grants Commission (UGC) Website, the Director, External Examination has said controversies and ambiguities that have arisen as a result of the circular instructions issued by the UGC since 2010 led to the suspension of external degree programmes. This controversial decision has stirred up a hornet's nest. This decision has not received the approval of the Senate and the UGC, according to.

Under normal circumstances, any public notice affecting the general public and the student at large should be issued under the name of the Vice Chancellor but this vital compliance has been observed in the breach in this instance.

Secondly, is this action in retaliation for the hard stance taken up by the COPE on certain financial inadequacies that surfaced by way of audit queries? The USJ appears to be in a dilemma over whether the observations and recommendations made by the COPE on financial matters need to be further studied in the context of the UGC circular instructions and this scenario has led to the suspension of external degree programmes. The COPE did ask the USJ to suspend any course of studies?