AHEAD

The expansion, diversification and development of the higher education sector in Sri Lanka is of central importance to drive economic growth through knowledge-based industrial and service sector activity and to produce graduates of global quality. Recognizing this importance, the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) program will be financed by the World Bank through Ministry of Higher Education and Cultural Affairs.

The Three Results Areas the AHEAD Operation will focus on are:

• Results Area 1: Increasing Enrolment in Priority Disciplines for Economic Development
• Results Area 2: Improving the Quality of Higher Education
• Results Area 3: Promoting Research, Development and Innovation

The implementing agency of the AHEAD Project is the Ministry of Higher Education and Cultural affairs assist at the national level by the University Grants Commission (UGC). There is an Operation and Monitoring Support Team (OMST) in the Ministry with close links to the UGC to coordinate and provide academic, technical, and operational expertise for the implementation of AHEAD operations. The OMST has branch Operations Technical secretariats (OTS) offices in each universities.
The OMST and OTSs will organize regular capacity-building activities for the relevant staff of the UVPA, including in procurement, financial management, and contract management, throughout the program implementation.