Tuesday, June 10, 2008

University of Vocational Technology

University of Vocational Technology to be set up soon

A four member delegation from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila concluded a Fact Finding Mission on May 20 and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tilak Hapangama, Secretary Ministry of Skills Development Vocational and Technical Education and Director General of External Resources.

When the Mission met the Minister of Skills Development, Vocational and Technical Education, Piyasena Gamage, he explained the urgent need to establish a University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC). He said that this is a priority program of the Government 2005 Budget proposals.

The Presidential Task Force on Technical Education and Vocational Training, which commenced its activities in 1997, strongly recommended a scheme to provide upward mobility to those in the Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) sector.

For this purpose, the Task Force recommended the establishment of a University of Vocational Technology at the apex of the TVE system. The President approved this proposal and gave priority for the establishment of this University.

As a part of the process of rationalisation and reform of the technical and vocational education sector, nine Colleges of Technology (CoT) are to be established, one for each province.

Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) will support the establishment of a College of Technology at Maradana while Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA) will support the establishment of the College of Technology in Jaffna.

In addition to JICA and KOICA, USAID will also provide funds to rebuild several training centres damaged by the tsunami and also assist in the establishment of two centres of excellence, which will be similar to colleges of technology.

For over three decades, the German Development Co-operation (GTZ) has been in the forefront of providing technical and financial assistance to develop Technical and Vocational Education (TVE).

The GTZ has come forward to support the establishment of two Colleges of Technology, one in Southern and Western Provinces and other in Eastern Province.

GTZ will also support the establishment of the UNIVOTEC,which is to be modeled after the Fachchochschule which may be described as University of Applied Technology. It is very popular in Germany as it provides an alternative to traditional academic universities.

The main campus of the proposed UNIVOTEC will be established at the premises of National Institute of Technical Education of Sri Lanka (NITESL), which will also be the Faculty of Training Technology of UNIVOTEC.

The resources of the Apprentice Training Institute (ATI), Ceylon German Technical Training Institute (CGTTI) and Ratmalana Technical College will be used initially to start the faculties of Advance Technology and Vocational Technology.

The ongoing Skills Development Project, which is also being funded by ADB has assisted the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) of the Ministry to develop a system of National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), which has seven levels.

The students who leave the general eduction system could now enter TEV institutions that offer certificates (level 2, 3 and 4) and diploma (level 5 and 6). UNIVOTEC will offer B. Tech Degree (level 7).

The admission to UNVOTEC will be from those who have completed diploma. Hence, for the first time in Sri Lanka, there will be an alternate path for those coming one of the school systems to progressively acquire certificate, diploma and degree.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

NVQ

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are work-related, competence-based qualifications. They reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively, and show that a candidate is competent in the area of work the NVQ represents.

NVQs are based on national occupational standards. These standards are statements of performance that describe what competent people in a particular occupation are expected to be able to do. They cover all the main aspects of an occupation, including current best practice, the ability to adapt to future requirements and the knowledge and understanding that underpin competent performance.

Within reason, NVQs do not have to be completed in a specified amount of time. They can be taken by full-time employees or by school and college students with a work placement or part-time job that enables them to develop the appropriate skills. There are no age limits and no special entry requirements.


Levels

  • Level 1
    Competence that involves the application of knowledge in the performance of a range of varied work activities, most of which are routine and predictable.
  • Level 2
    Competence that involves the application of knowledge in a significant range of varied work activities, performed in a variety of contexts. Some of these activities are complex or non-routine and there is some individual responsibility or autonomy. Collaboration with others, perhaps through membership of a work group or team, is often a requirement.
  • Level 3
    Competence that involves the application of knowledge in a broad range of varied work activities performed in a wide variety of contexts, most of which are complex and non-routine. There is considerable responsibility and autonomy and control or guidance of others is often required.
  • Level 4
    Competence that involves the application of knowledge in a broad range of complex, technical or professional work activities performed in a variety of contexts and with a substantial degree of personal responsibility and autonomy. Responsibility for the work of others and the allocation of resources is often present.
  • Level 5
    Competence that involves the application of a range of fundamental principles across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts. Very substantial personal autonomy and often significant responsibility for the work of others and for the allocation of substantial resources features strongly, as do personal accountabilities for analysis, diagnosis, design, planning, execution and evaluation







Monday, June 2, 2008

Japan Sri Lanka College of Technology (JSCoT)


Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has decided to provide technical assistance to Maradana College of Technology in Colombo with the establishment of three model courses, such as Mechatoronics , Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Metal Work. Japan has the advantage to provide these technologies and there is also high demand for these three trades in Sri Lanka.

  • Project Outputs
    1. NVQ level 5&6 model training courses are introduced and conducted effectively in Maradana CoT in the fields of Information and Communication Technology, Mechatronics and Metal Work.
    2. DTET establishes a system for the training courses to fulfill industry’s needs.
    3. Management capacity of DTET on training delivery is improved.
    4. Accumulated know-how in Maradana CoT is shared among the TC/CoT, in the field of preparation of NVQ level 5&6 courses and improved methods on training delivery.

    Information & Communication Technology


    Recently, ICT is in widespread use in Sri Lanka. There is, however, shortages of skilled technicians who can carry out maintenance for computer network to maintain the rapid spread of ICT.

    ICT course will provide the training in software and systems development which is focusing on program development and network construction.

    After graduation, graduates should work as ICT technicians, such as a technician of program development, hardware support, maintenance or customer service.

      Major course contents (tentative)
    1. Electronics
    2. Information mathematics
    3. Computer engineering
    4. Data engineering
    5. Information processing
    6. Data communications

    College of Technology-Maradana


    Established in : 1893
    Province : Western
    District : Colombo
    Zone No: 01
    Located at : Olcott Mawatha,Colombo 10.

    - Electrical Workshop
    - Electronic Workshop
    - Building Trade Workshop
    - Wood Machinery Workshop
    - Lathe Machine Workshop
    - Library
    - Welding Workshop
    - Automotive Workshop
    - Computer Lab
    - General Science Lab

    College Activities

    - Vocational Guidance & counseling
    - Student Unions
    - Sports Activities
    - Industry Liaison Committee