Being a senior university academic who was involved in some of the initiatives taken by the previous Govt. in relation to education, what struck me most were the recent letters (Copycat, Copycat II published on Feb. 14, 2002) referring to the new 100 day programme of the UNF.

Some of my colleagues and I participated in several discussions which led to the formulation of the University Education Reform proposals which were circulated to all Universities and subsequently implemented from 2000 onwards. Therefore we were most surprised to read the statement given by the tertiary education minister at the UGC, describing virtually all the proposals in the University Reforms document as the 100-day programme of his Ministry. Many University academics would agree with me that introduction of course units, modular systems, career guidance units, private sector partnerships are already in place and have been so in most universities for some time now.

Surely the former Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education and IT Development who still holds responsible office in this Govt. can enlighten the Minister that this almost amounts to plagiarism.

We expected some fresh thinking at least from this minister (out of the 3 responsible for education).
Dr. R. A. Kulasooriya
Peradeniya