Mobile phone was introduced to Sri Lanka in early 1990’s and now it has penetrated almost all layers of the society. Mobile-phone manufacturers introduce novel mobile phone models with fantastic features. Before buying a phone please remember that you should not addict to this new found technology, use it wisely, else it may affect your studies.

As a student how can you choose a good model at an affordable price? Here are some tips to consider before you selecting a mobile phone.
What’s the price you are ready to pay?
Mobile phone prices vary from Rs 5000/- to over Rs100,000/-. Some leading brands are Nokia, Sony Ericson, Motorola and LG. The prices of these branded phones are somewhat high compared to phones manufactured in China. You can go for used branded phones at relatively low cost.
Low cost Chinese phones are also becoming popular. These phones cost lower than branded phones and they also offer wide range of features.

A survey conducted by this studentlanka.com web site shows that may students are using phones ranging from Rs 10,000/- and Rs 15,000/-. It further reveals only 8% has gone for high cost phones (above Rs 50,000/-). You can also poll for this survey here (right hand column of this page –>)

Buying a mobile phone would not be a good investment if the value is depreciating regularly. Branded phones have a second hand market. Chinese phones have very low or no second hand market at all. Therefore it’s better to go for a moderate cost phone. But if you can afford a luxury phone, you can experience latest features such as 3G, WiFi, e-mail and data handling. However there’s a risk in going for a luxury phone as there are chances of losing the phone. To overcome this problem smart insurance companies have introduced Mobile insurance Schemes, although not much popular in Sri Lanka.
What features are you looking for?
Although mobile phones are loaded with bundle of features in reality we may use few of them. Basic features for a mobile phone would be colour display, text messaging, a basic camera and polyphonic/MP3 ringing tones other than calling ability. SMS has become so popular among people. They are used in communicating small messages as well as television/radio contests. A basic camera would help you to capture some day-to-day moments. Modern phones are coming with 3G ability which facilitates video calls and fast internet browsing ability.

Many mobile phones have FM radio facility. Television ability is also present in some Chinese phones.

The latest trend is Smart phones. These are phones with advanced capabilities that can function like a PC. They have features like e-mail, internet, e-book reading ability etc,. Blackberry is a popular Smartphone and Apple i-Phone is also popular. In Sri Lanka these phones are used by high professionals and businessmen.
Durability of the phone
Durability is an important factor in selecting a mobile phone. As a student you may be having a busy and restless lifestyle, where you may have to opt for a hardworking phone. Nokia mobile phones are said to be very durable and they are popular for excellent talking ability (audio quality). They can withstand shocks and adverse conditions. Sony Ericson phones usually consist of good camera known as Cybershot. Their music feature is also good compared to other mobile phones in the market. Motorola is also a durable phone brand. It’s a good idea if you can go for these durable brands even if they are second hand. Although Chinese phones are loaded with fantastic features they are said to be less durable. If by chance you drop the phone there will be serious problems such as losing of display etc,.
What is the suitable Network for you?
Although you have a latest mobile phone, you should have a good connection in order to make use of some facilities. Currently there are 5 Mobile Network Service Providers in Sri Lanka. Dialog offers a wide coverage and undisturbed service. Mobitel also have good coverage now and specially a good 3G coverage. However if you are not travelling frequently Etisalat (earlier known as TIGO) or Airtel would be good options. They offer lower call rates. Some youths opt to Hutch as they can easily obtain a connection and easily switch for a new one. Hutch also offers lower call rates but there may be some network problems at peak times.

You should also have to take a decision between Pre-paid and Post-paid packages. If you are a student it’s better to go for a Pre-paid package. Then you can use the mobile as far as you can reload it. If you go for a Post-paid package each month you should settle the monthly bill. However post paid packages offer facilities such as free call time etc,.

Please share your views and experience on mobile phones here. What type do you use? Which connection? Chinese vs other brands. Any problems with a particular model etc.

The easiest way of obtaining a degree in Sri Lanka is entering a National university based on your GCE A/L examination results. If you unable to enter State university as an internal student, still you can obtain a degree by registering as an external student. Such degrees are known as External Degrees. There are many external degrees offered by different national universities in Sri Lanka. The advantage of going for such a degree is you can do studies while engaging in employment or other educational course. After registering in the particular university, classes should be followed before sitting for the examinations. We will have a brief look at some recognized external degrees in Sri Lanka.
BIT (Bachelor of Information Technology) (Colombo)

This degree is offered by University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC). It’s one of most popular external degrees in Sri Lanka. BIT is a degree programme which was introduced in year 2000. It has duration of 3 years. However you can obtain a diploma at end of 1st year as a part qualification. It is considered as nationally and internationally recognized information and communication qualification. A person with three passes in the G.C.E. (A/L) examination in one sitting and a credit pass for Mathematics in the G.C.E. (O/L) examination or any other academic/professional qualifications deemed equivalent to above could apply for this degree programme. Applicants should pass the selection test which consists of analytical, quantitative and communication skills. Then they would be enrolled for the BIT degree programme provided they are not less than 17 years of age.
B.Sc (Business Administration) (Jayewardenepura)

This is another popular external degree in Sri Lanka offered by Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. It’s a university that offers the best Management courses in the country. Therefore each year large number of candidates get registered for this external degree. It’s conducted by Department of Business Administration. Course duration is 3 years. You should have at least 3 passes in A/L in one sitting.
There are three other external degrees offered by University of Sri Jayewardenepura such as

Bachelor of Science Public Management (General) external Degree program (Sinhala/ English medium)
Conducted under the Department of Public Administration,University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Bachelor of Commerce (General) external Degree program (Sinhala medium)
Conducted under the Department of Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Bachelor of Arts (General) External Degree program

The first Examination in Arts degree is popularly known as the General Arts Qualifying (GAQ) Examination. This is common for all external B.A. degrees in Sri Lanka.

B.A(General/Special Degree) (Kelaniya)

Many universities in Sri Lanka offer B.A external degrees. Out of these, University of Kelaniya has started this programme in 1993. You have to first register for General degree and based on your performance at 1st year limited number of students will be registered for Special degree. You should have obtained at least 3 passes at GCE A/L examination together with 6 passes at GCE O/L including 3 Credit passes. (Maths should be Credit pass or above). Other recognized qualifications are also considered.

B.Sc (General) (Physical Science stream) (Kelaniya)

This is another degree offered by University of Kelaniya. There are two subject combinations which can be selected according to your preference. To enter this degree programme you should have obtained 3 passes at GCE A/L including Combined Mathematics. Candidates for External Degree Courses should have completed 18 years of age. A certified copy of the Birth Certificate should be forwarded with the application for registration.
B.Com(Special Degree) (Kelaniya)

Bachelor of Commerce is a theree year degree programme conducted by University of Kelaniya. Candidates who wish to follow this degree course, should register for the First Examination in Commerce. You should have obtained 3 passes at GCE A/L preferably in Commerce stream. At end of each degree year examinations are conducted. However there is no compulsion for external candidates to sit the prescribed examinations in every succeeding year.
An external candidate (Only applicable for University of Kelaniya external degrees) successful at the degree examination in either Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Business Management (General) or Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Commerce (Special) will be considered for awarding the degree with a Second Class (Upper / Lower) or a First Class on the basis of the merits he/she earned.
Notices regarding registration and examinations are published in the press annually. In accordance with such notices, candidates are strictly advised to apply for registration only on the prescribed form available from the External Examinations Branch of the University of Kelaniya. It is the responsibility of candidates to collect relevant application forms in time.

Similarly University of Peradeniya also offers some external degrees. Normally, the minimum qualifications for registration as a student for an external degree are identical to the minimum requirements for entry to the university. However, the university Senate has also recognized a variety of professional and other qualifications for the purpose. In certain circumstances the Senate may grant exemption from the GAQ External Examination.
Here we have mentioned only some of most popular external degrees offered by National universities in Sri Lanka. However there are many other external degrees offered by foreign universities such as BCS (IT). You can follow these degrees also if you have a satisfactory financial condition.

Many students get confused in marking their preferences in filling the UGC form to enter into a national university in Sri Lanka. This provides some advice based on a document issued to students by popular A/L Combined Mathematics Teacher Mr. Praja Renuka.

In the UGC form, you have to select the course preference order and preferred universities for each course. If you have a good Z-score then you can enter Engineering Faculty, else you have to select other physical science courses.

Engineering Courses –

For example if a student wishes to apply for Engineering he should mark preferences as follows.

Course Code – University Code

08 (Engineering) – G (Moratuwa) B (Peradeniya) F (Ruhuna)

The same course may be available in different universities. You need a higher Z-score to enter most demanding university, and other universities require comparatively low Z-score. Therefore you should first mark reputed or well established universities. Moratuwa is considered to be the best university for Engineering studies in Sri Lanka.

If a student does not poses a adequate Z-Score for Engineering and wants to follow Quantity Surveying still he should mark Engineering as his first preference. The logic is if by chance a vacancy created he will be enrolled for the first preferred courses. Eg:
Course Code – University Code

08 (Engineering) – G(Moratuwa) B(Peradeniya) F(Ruhuna)

11 (Qty Surveying)* – G(Moratuwa)**

* This course requires at least Credit passes for English, Mathematics and Science in O/L

** This course only available at Moratuwa University in Sri Lanka.

If you obtained a lower Z-Score, still you should mark better courses first and then the other course. This will open chances to enter a good course if vacancies open for these courses. Here we have provided a suggested preference list for students.  However you can make your own preferences by omitting some of these courses. Read more »

The course is designed to provide policy makers, regulators, scientists and NGOs/civil society leaders, specifically from developing countries (ODA-countries), the knowledge and training necessary to develop a holistic view on the issues surrounding GMOs. The goal is to empower the participants with transdisciplinary information on GMOs, in order to critically evaluate the issue from their own perspective and country needs. Lectures, laboratory demonstrations, group work on case studies and discussions will form the basis of the course, which aims to offer biosafety capacity building within a holistic framework. Participants will also be required to submit a GE/GMO/biosafety country report in order to more broadly share their local experiences of the current status of GMOs/biosafety with other participants.

Eligibility and selection process
The course application form must be filled out entirely and with as much detail as possible. The applicant must provide information about the type/level of position they are holding, and state the basis for their interest in the course. In addition, a brief CV is required for consideration.

The working language of the course will be English only, and as such, applicants should be able to work sufficiently well in English in both oral and written communications.

Sponsorships will only be given to applicants from developing (ODA) countries. Gender, occupation and regional criteria are also used in the selection of participants in order to achieve representational balance. The selection committee usually completes the selection by 1 May.

Applications are due by 1 April 2010.

Costs and expenses
Full sponsorship will be offered to 40 selected applicants from developing (ODA) countries only. The sponsorship will cover curricular materials, course-associated travel, visa-fees, accommodation and meals.

How to apply:

Online (electronic) application form (remember to e-mail your CV): http://www.genok.no/application
or
download (word-format) from: http://felles.siteman.no/genok.org/filarkiv/File/Course_2010/applicationformGenok.doc

E-mail application form/CV to: biosafety10@genok.org

Contact information – GenØk:

E-mail to the biosafety team : biosafety10@genok.org

Phone: +47 77 64 55 46
Fax:      +47 77 64 61 00
Web:    english.genok.org

Further information about ODA-countries: www.oecd.org/dac/stats/daclist

Ultimate goal of doing A/L examination in Science stream is to  enter into  Medical or Engineering Faculty. However if you are unable to get a good Z-score then you have to opt for science degree program.  Obtaining a degree from a national university will establish a solid foundation for your life and career. Different universities in Sri Lanka offer different courses in Basic and Applied Sciences.

These are some helpful hints in selecting a course suitable to you.

Old Universities vs newly established Universities

Oldest universities in the country are Colombo and Peradeniya which have a long history of teaching classical subjects such as botany, zoology, mathematics, physics, and chemistry; though they also now offer more applied courses. Universities of Sri Jayewardenepura and Kelaniya, which are also now more than 50 years old, offer more applied oriented courses. For example in University of Sri Jayewardenepura there are subjects like Forestry and Environmental Science, Polymer Science and Plant Bio-technology. In University of Kelaniya there’s a course on Environmental Conservation and Management. These subjects have been introduced in producing more employable graduates. Universities of Ruhuna, Jaffna and Eastern were also established in earlier days and now offer some attractive courses.

New universities established recently are Sabaragamuwa, Rajarata, Wayamba and Uwa Wellassa. In these places experienced academics staff may be few, but offer some innovative courses in specific areas such as Export Agriculture, Animal Science and Aquatic Resource Management. However these universities have modern physical resources and focus on producing graduates for Sri Lankan industry sector.  A student enters into this university can gain a competitive advantage over other undergraduates, because there are limited number of students per each course. Therefore more resources are available for students. Read more »

In Sri Lanka currently some private banks and few state banks offer student loans. Out of these Sampath Bank Pvt Ltd,. is a leader in Student Loan market in Sri Lanka. They offer a comprehensive loan programme for Sri Lankan students. This Educational Student Loan Programme facilitates courses offered by following institutes

Manipal University degree programme, India
Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM)
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA-UK)
Institute of Personal Management (IPM)
Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayewardenepura(PIM)
Royal Institute of Colombo(RIC)
Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT)

General requirements for applying Student Loans

The applicants should be citizens of Sri Lanka. Applicants should provide a confirmation letter/ an eligibility letter or registration documents from the relevant institute. For all courses other than Manipal University Degree Programme, Sampath Bank only finance 75% of total cost. Applicants have to bear the rest 25%. It is also required to successful completion of 1st semester/ 1st level of the course in order to eligible for total loan amount. You should also provide documentary evidence on repayment capacity together with two guarantors. When the applicant is not employed or the income drawn is not sufficient to meet the installment, parents / guardian  can be the co bearers of the loan. Applicants have to provide salary particulars or income tax documents of parents or the student himself. The current interest rate for Educational Student loans is 22% p.a. Read more »

Students who sat G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Examination held in August 2009 can now apply undergraduate courses for 14 National universities and 4 institutes.

You can download the book published by University Grants Commission, “Admission to undergraduate courses of the universities in Sri Lanka – Academic Year 2009 – 2010 – Based on GCE A/L Examination 2009″ here.

Related Posts:

Select Universities and Courses in Sri Lanka
Courses
Universities
Student Jobs
Careers
Higher Education