Future potential of distance education. The DEMP failed to expand tertiary education opportunities and increase the employability of graduates to the extent intended. The question of how to achieve both of these objectives remains. A central issue in this regard is how to improve external degrees. One of the lessons of the DEMP is that Sri Lankan students may not yet be ready for fully online courses, at least for the longer degree courses. To raise the quality and range of offerings to external students, a blended learning approach would be most appropriate, combining online learning with a limited amount of face-to-face tutoring. This would allow the introduction of science and engineering as external degrees, currently not offered. Some universities have established their own open and distance learning centers, and these could be considered for future ADB assistance, along with support for further capacity expansion at the OUSL.
Distance Education Modernization Project