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Interacting with foreign universities and their academics will move Sri Lankan universities into a international status, said Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr Jayantha Navarathne. Sri Lankan universities are conducting less research compared to foreign universities. Private and the State sector should link with international universities to conduct research which can solve domestic problems. The Third International Symposium of the Sabaragamuwa University which will start today, is a platform to reach that target, he said addressing media at the University Grants Commission yesterday. "Sri Lanka is moving towards a knowledge economy consisting with education, R&D and ICT. There was an outdated education system which is being changed. Our universities are still focusing on learning.

To become Asia's knowledge hub we must improve R&D activities. Private companies and Government institutions should get local universities' assistance to conduct research, Navaratne said. UGC Chairman Prof.Gamini Samaranayake, Sabaragamuwa University Vice Chancellor Prof Mahinda Rupasinghe and Symposium committee members also spoke. The symposium is titled 'New horizons in Humanities and Sciences towards Sustainable Development' organized for the third successive year will be held from August 26, 27 and 28 at the university. Around 250 papers will be presented under themes of agriculture, environmental, social science and geography. Several foreign research papers will also be presented.

@ Daily News : By Dinesh DE ALWIS