By Bushra Bashith –
Bushra Bashith
Back then at family gatherings people were confused when I told them I was studying at SAITM; they didn’t know such a thing existed. Now the conversations goes like “ohh thaaat private medical campus. Is it true there are underqualified students? Aren’t they the ones going on protests?”
Well, firstly it is not us wasting your money and causing your evening mayhem and secondly I’m sick of having to listen to all this bogus information and having to prove myself time and again! So let me share MY SAITM story:
I had my primary education at Methodist College Colombo but my parents had to migrate to Canada on professional grounds. Since they wanted the cultural ties retained, they decided to return to Sri Lanka after 3 years. I couldn’t go back to Methodist as they didn’t have English medium at the time, so I chose Lyceum International school, one of the leading international schools in Sri Lanka. With a lot of commitment and dedication, I passed the Cambridge Ordinary level examination with 5As* 2As and 1B, with a 100 for BIO and then A-levels with 4As in 2013. YES, it is super weird to be posting my results like this but people need to know that WE EARNED our place at SAITM! Not just me, ALL my friends at SAITM did too!
My parents and I had a well respected and known university in Pakistan in our minds ever since I decided I wanted to do medicine, they even offered me a scholarship; But with time I really didn’t want to go there. My parents may be professionals but we aren’t millionaires and me being their first child, I knew they wouldn’t be able to afford the horrendous fee some of these universities asked for; For those of you who aren’t aware, medical degrees are unbelievably expensive in the developed countries and they hardly give scholarships. On the other hand I’d have to learn a whole other language if I was to study in China or Russia etc. Whilst doing some research, I came across SAITM and how it was UGC approved and Mahinda Rajapaksha, who was the president at that time, had even given scholarships to 10 students who just missed the Z-score. My parents were worried but I too really didn’t want to go abroad and live alone when there was something like this in my own country, where I could work on my Sinhala and study diseases prevalent in my country! When asked around, even GMOA consultants recommended this place. So after applying, I had to face 2 interviews, one of which was with the UGC board. The fee was 7 million for 5 years, but I earned a scholarship after having sat for their scholarship exam, which made it a bit better on my parents. Yet only my parents and I know the trouble they go through, to save up that money each year while also providing the best for my brother.
Yes this is a very long story but that’s just the struggle of getting into SAITM. Then there was the struggle of surviving in med school! There are so many misconceptions about our syllabus that I have been personally questioned on:
1) NO WE ARE NOT TAUGHT BY RUSSIAN DOCTORS! WE ARE TAUGHT BY SRI LANKAN PROFESSORS AND CONSULTANTS WHO ALSO LECTURE/ OR USED TO LECTURE AT STATE UNIVERSITIES– im proud to say we have the best of the best, some well-known throughout SRI LANKA
2) WE WORK ON ACTUAL DEAD BODIES- We had 2 years practice on cadavers and yes now during our clinical training we first practice CPR, cannulation etc on dummies, in the skills lab and later on patients.
3) WE NEED 80% , SOMETIMES 100% ATTENDANCE TO SIT FOR EXAMS – We do not have the luxury of cutting classes as and when we wish and go on protests on the road and we will not because we value the money our parents spend on us
4) THE DEGREE ISNT GIVEN TO US ON A SILVER PLATE – there are credit exams and then the finals with MCQs , SEQs and vivas. (we even have negative marking on MCQs which makes it much harder, which has recently come to my notice, was not heard of in some universities) and at the 2nd MB (ANAT, PHYSIO, BIOCHEM AND HISTO) if we fail, we must sit for the repeat exam (for which there is a fee too) and if we fail again we are demoted and have to pay for that too, unlike our free education counter parts who can spend as long as they want to qualify.
5) WE CANNOT SIT FOR ACT16 AS WE ARE NOT FOREIGN GRADUATES- it is an exam to test your ability to treat Sri Lankan patients with diseases prevailing in Sri Lanka. so why do we have to sit for that when we study in Sri Lanka?
I am in my 4th year now, I thought this problem would be settled eventually but even after the court ruling people are still not letting us have what is rightfully ours.
For the readers who are confused- we are willing to sit for any common state exam but they will not let us! We may not get on the streets to voice ourselves but DO NOT be fooled by the false information given to you. If you have any doubts do feel free to ask us. Please do try to understand our situation.
For those against private MEDICAL universities, WHY ONLY MEDICINE? WHY ONLY SAITM? What about the thousands graduating from international schools?
Whilst you fight for your free education MY PARENTS work hard continuing to pay MY EDUCATION AND YOURS. I only hope that you realize the people you block from going about, are the very people who pay for your education. Free education, is it FREEDOM of education?!
#IstandwithSAITM #mySAITMstory #මගේSAITMකතාව
Sinhala_Man / March 13, 2017
[Edited out] Comments should not exceed 300 words.Please read our Comments Policy for further details.
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Citizen / March 13, 2017
Provide free education only up to secondary/high school (Advanced level).
In most of the developed and developing countries higher (university) education is not free. Education is free only up to high school (secondary) level. People do not value anything they get free and a good example is the universities in Sri Lanka which have become hotbeds of political violence and intimidation. In other countries even the state universities have financial and administrative control and of course, academic independence. To do this, the students should be asked to pay nominal fees. Interest-free student loans should be freely available (especially for the under privileged students from low-income families) to cover the fees and living expenses like in many developed countries where the re-payments begin only after they obtain employment. This way, the government can overcome many unmanageable problems including abuse of state universities by the students and ensure sound education, good staff and value for money. In such seats of higher learning no political meddling, student clashes, threats to the staff, brutal ragging and boycotting of classes will be tolerated. A socio-economic environment leading to such disturbances will not be there in these establishments. There will be no opportunities for using university students as political tools.
At present, the free higher education in Sri Lanka is catering professionals for the needs of well developed countries at the cost of the taxpaying people of Sri Lanka. The students get a free secondary and sometimes tertiary education in Sri Lanka and then spend the Sri Lankan foreign exchange in going to developed countries for further higher education. After spending all that Sri Lankan money for their total education in Sri Lanka and abroad, some of them end up serving and paying tax to those countries with no benefit what so ever to Sri Lanka.
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Sinhala_Man / March 13, 2017
Dear CT, so sorry it had got so long!
Now I have very heavy rains, and deadly lightning in the Uva Province, so I’ve got off my sluggish Desk-top on to this awkward little note book.
I think that I had said there that it was good to see a Muslim girl emancipated and truly Sri Lankan in the context for Muslim women’s agitation for liberation. I had provided links to two articles by Sabra Somebody asking for reform of MMDA.
Also,see what’s happening in Jaffna College right now. I’ve commented there, too, on corruption within the Education System in Sri Lanka.
Another thing that I dealt with is how I myself entered Peradeniya University through a back door at the age of 34 in 1982! I’ll have to come back to some of those things later, I guess.
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Sinhala_Man / March 13, 2017
So sorry CT.
Bushra, I’m a retired village teacher. Now I’ve had to turn off my sluggish old Desk Top computer owing to heavy rain in the Uva Province. I’m now on clumsy note book computer, and already lost one replacement comment. This is how we struggle through life!
I had told you in some detail about how I got in to Peadeniya Uni through a back door at the age of 34 in 1982. Managed to top the batch with a Second Upper, though, and got the Leigh Smith Prize. Also told how unfortunate my elder daughter had been with her own Uni experience.
Then I spoke about how refreshingly Sri Lankan you were, and how I had commented on the heroic efforts of Sabra Somebody to reform MMDA.
After that, I directed your attention to what’s happening at Jaffna College. There is an article on it in the “News” Section of CT, which took me to corruption even at the prestigious S. Thomas’ Colleges. You’ve been at Methodist, you said. No wonder I exceeded 300 words!
There’s much that we have to do to restore honesty to this country!
Thanks CT. You may be strict with us, but you are fair!
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The Citizen / March 13, 2017
Provide free education only up to secondary/high school (Advanced level).
In most of the developed and developing countries higher (university) education is not free. Education is free only up to high school (secondary) level. People do not value anything they get free and a good example is the universities in Sri Lanka which have become hotbeds of political violence and intimidation. In other countries even the state universities have financial and administrative control and of course, academic independence. To do this, the students should be asked to pay nominal fees. Interest-free student loans should be freely available (especially for the under privileged students from low-income families) to cover the fees and living expenses like in many developed countries where the re-payments begin only after they obtain employment. This way, the government can overcome many unmanageable problems including abuse of state universities by the students and ensure sound education, good staff and value for money. In such seats of higher learning no political meddling, student clashes, threats to the staff, brutal ragging and boycotting of classes will be tolerated. A socio-economic environment leading to such disturbances will not be there in these establishments. There will be no opportunities for using university students as political tools.
At present, the free higher education in Sri Lanka is catering professionals for the needs of well developed countries at the cost of the taxpaying people of Sri Lanka. The students get a free secondary and sometimes tertiary education in Sri Lanka and then spend the Sri Lankan foreign exchange in going to developed countries for further higher education. After spending all that Sri Lankan money for their total education in Sri Lanka and abroad, some of them end up serving and paying tax to those countries with no benefit what so ever to Sri Lanka.
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jim softy / March 13, 2017
Even those days who passed London Matriculation exams were not that intelligent. So, most of these SAITM students are international schools students and had passed foreign exams.
Even though, right now, Sri lankan Advanced level students get lot of help from tuition classes, A/L is a very competitive examination. those who passed Sri lankan A/L are doing very well in foreign universities. Even the Sri lankan A/L is considered equal to the first year of University education.
So, the students who A/L the normal way and this value added, or enhaced way are no tthe same. I don’t think they are of the same quality with respect to their intelligence level or the ability.
Anyway, it is the Higher education minister at that time, the govt and various instutions, such as UGC, which engaged in this endeavour and the SAITM managemement which looks did everything to fool every body – it was completely a buinsees venture to offer degrees whioch are recognized in russia but not in the western world. Because, most of the Sri lankan physicians/doctors pratice in the west. It says, the higher education minister by passed UGC at that time and took over every thing under his Secretary. That should be an offence punisheable as a traitor to the country.
On the other hand, students should have some reasonable escape.
One option should be to create a another class of doctors in Sri lanka. Because, weverybody knows russian doctors probably do better than western doctors who always operates wrong organ or the wrong limb.
govt should have another evaluation of the quality of the degree.
This may be a solution to the brain drain in Sri lanka. On the other hand, these doctors, in no time, will start miling patients with their degree as they spent money to learn.
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Nahfees / March 13, 2017
Could you please corroborate your statement
“Even the Sri lankan A/L is considered equal to the first year of University education.” with evidence. I have never heard such a thing.
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Sinhala_Man / March 13, 2017
Nahfees,
I agree with you. Such claims for Sri Lankan A. Levels are absolute rubbish. To get the fantastic results necessary for Uni admission, kids have to attend Private Tuition classes which focus exclusively on the syllabus and past papers. If you go through that system you lose the ability to think for yourself.
On the other hand, don’t scoff at village kids. They don’t have all the facilities that you probably have. The plight of “Estate Tamils” is even worse. Is Jaffna any better off, NOW?
I am in many senses a genuine villager. A village schoolmaster, such as Oliver Goldsmith wrote about! I guess I “amaze the gazing rustics ranged round”. “jim softy” is absolutely inconsistent. He knows who I am. I’ve given him my phone number and e-mail address, and he’s seen my name and photograph on three articles that I wrote about corruption at S. Thomas’. Yes, even there, although I think that the last school I studied in at Mt Lavinia (I left 50 years ago!) is all right today because the Rules that govern the 4 S. Thomas’ ensure that cheating there (at Board of Governors Level) is difficult. The Rules ensure a modicum of democracy.
Not so at the “Branch Schools” – at Colpetty, Bandarawela, and Gurutalawa. It is the system that is to blame. Of course, some people want to keep it that way. Some of the reasons should be obvious to all n the country; some known only to strange guys like me. So, there are many who hate me!
I’m an old man who will dies in peace if I feel that young people like you will unite to rebuild our country as one where all are happy as equal citizens. Muslim women must have their rights! I don’t like the idea of separate schools for Muslims. Why don’t you study with Hindus, if the language used is Tamil?
Lack of mastery of a World Language is a huge problem for many. Problem: English is a “kaduwa”!
The problems facing us are complex! Try to solve some of them, at least!
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Nahfees / March 13, 2017
@ Sinhala_Man,
There are numerous muslim girls/boys schooling at government hindu and sinhala schools. Muslims or even Hindus cannot attend school based on religion. Since I am from Kandy I could site many examples, I have muslims friends who attended christian schools like Trinity college. I have hindu friends who attend dharmaraja college and I have female muslim friends who attend pushpadana. I have seen hindu students studying at Baduddin Mahmood. I do not think this is matter of religion, it is individual preference and based on availability of the seats.
Just to point out , the discussion is out of context to this topic.
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sajin vass Jayawardene / March 13, 2017
How many of these stories is it going to take for the nation to provide these children justice. How long are the going to endure this mental torture. Studying medicine is probably the most difficult university course and to face this psychological blackmail is a total violation of their basic right. When will the President and the Prime Minister use their powers to declare that these children have had a legitimate education. Mahinda Rajapaksa who now is trying to gain political capital out of the sufferings of these innocent children will fry in HELL, He is the cause of all this. SB Dissanayake would have shared his Russian/Neville Fernando loot with the sadistic Rajapaksa
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Sinhala_Man / March 13, 2017
Totally approve of your sentiments, although I’m not sure which of the 3 “my SAITM” stories we are commenting on!
These kids ought to have had the imagination to have thought of better titles. For instance, Rajan Hoole seems to think up interesting titles for each chapter of his 15 year old book that is being serialised. I have written just three articles about S. Thomas’. I gave each a different title. Unfortunately, nobody’s taken decisive action on that situation – now a year old.
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Eusense / March 14, 2017
Sajin vass
You say “the President and the Prime Minister use their powers to declare that these children have had a legitimate education.”!
How do you think, they know it was a legitimate education? Are the medical practitioners?
What is next? You want the president and the PM to issue licenses to practice medicine???
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Mohamed / March 13, 2017
So it is a campaign going on here..
Still better than our future pillars acting present trouble makers on the busy roads to the very masses who fund their education
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Sanjeeva Perera / March 13, 2017
I think its a well thought out campaign and I am grateful to CT for providing space to these children. These are stories which would never be on national media. An alternate force like CT has become the only tool for the discriminated. KUDOS Colombo Telegraph
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Ramesh / March 13, 2017
Their stories not getting on national media. Swaranavahini dedicated 30 minutes on their stories.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hss-Bqu5bNA&t=6s
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Nahfees / March 13, 2017
@Mohamed
This is civilised protest man. Not like the goons on the road disturbing the innocent public
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Bista / March 13, 2017
Quality problem not with SAITEM. It is with public University system. See inside situation in public University system. Whole Sri Lankan low quality public University system is full of politically appointed joker VCs. You name any public University in SL, VC is appointed through political contacts. In overall, check how Kalaniya University recent VC gave professorships for ladies and his henchmen without right qualifications. In general Sri Lankan University professor appointment are hell of corruption. In order to be a real international professor your PhD from world top 100 – 500 University, minimum 20 articles in ISI/SCOPUS indexed journals, 10 text books with international publishers and three countries have to appoint you as a Visiting professor. But all these Sri Lankan Professors are jokers and more than 40% University Lecturers are relatives to each others and they give degrees to each other. MY3 clean University system and sack fake professors ( I am afraid that he does not have vision for that). Some Depts are family trees. Grandfather Emeritus and all others are relatives, henchmen, lovers, pimps, etc. We well know how they recruits and promoted in University Mafia. First find a person from network and then advertise according to his/her requirement and send aboard for their friends’ places for PhDs. Go beyond Sri Lankan airport and see International job market. Even in Middle East job market, without PhD from accredited Western University you cannot become even Assistant Lecturer. But in Sri Lanka more than 99% professors do not have PhDs from world recognised Universities. The countries they (University teachers) go to do higher studies, no person is going to studies: China, Malaysia and India. Many are locally getting PhDs from their catchers. Then you see SAITEM is 100% better than public University medical faculties. SAITEM quality musty be checked by the foreign panel not the SLMC. If the foreign panel see public university medical faculty situation they will say to close public university medical faculties not the SAITEM.
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Nuwan / March 13, 2017
Do you know what you are talking about? You don’t. It’s SAITM, not SAITEM.
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Dr. A.M.Jazeel / March 13, 2017
Dear Bista,
I agree with your argument in the case of Sri Lankan state universities. However, this situation should not mean SAITEM will be better than the other universities. SAITEM is worse and in the hand of some politicians and money laundering people. The private universities should not be allowed. We can understand the interest taken by politicians in favour of SAITEM. We are tax payers and our hospitals should not be spoiled by this fake half baked, self – evaluated SAITEM degree holders
Dr. Jazeel PhD
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Goraka / March 14, 2017
Dr. Jazeel,
Your writing suggests that you are educated in a Sri Lanka University, your English language needs a brush up!
At least, the author’s name is Ms. Bushra Bashith, not BISTA – how rude for a PH.D. for not getting someone’s name correct!
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Sinhala_Man / March 13, 2017
We’ve got to write according to the CONTEXT we are in. This Bista comment is a cut and paste job. Please don’t insult readers in this way. This is trolling – amounts to spam!
Please look at the recent comments on Peradeniya English Professor Arjuna Parakrama’s recent article on the News section of CT. We are now on the “Opinion” section.
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Manel Jayasuriya / March 13, 2017
Its time all the international schools protested about the injustice in depriving their right to education. It should be possible to bring 10000 students on to the streets and show the ANTARE, JVP and the Front Line Socialist Party that these kids too could be as strong. It is time that Kumar Gunaratnam is put behind bars again for causing public disturbances.
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Sinhala_Man / March 13, 2017
I’ve been up all night posting comments on three articles on SAITM.
I’m now pretty well convinced that most of the students who are now there deserve to complete their studies satisfactorily. You’ve had a rough time. My sympathies!
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Eusense / March 14, 2017
Sinhala man
So, because they had a rough time they should be issued a licence to practice medicine????
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Sinhala_Man / March 14, 2017
Dear Eusense,
For the rough time they’ve had they have only my sympathy.
I’m a pretty knowledgeable guy, but not on medicine. I’ve always had a horror of it! Twenty years from now, it’ll be a tragedy if I’m not pushing up the daisies! It’s horrible to be old: some lose control of bodily functions others have their minds packing up. These doctors don’t let us die in peace!
Seriously, though: there has to be evaluation, but I’m not going to make all that my business!
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Eusense / March 14, 2017
sinhala man
At least you accept your situation. But what I see here is postings by many who have no idea of medical education, registration and licensing protocols!
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Amarasiri / March 13, 2017
Dear Ms.Bushra Bashith
RE: My SAITM Story
“For the readers who are confused- we are willing to sit for any common state exam but they will not let us! We may not get on the streets to voice ourselves but DO NOT be fooled by the false information given to you. If you have any doubts do feel free to ask us. Please do try to understand our situation.”
“For those against private MEDICAL universities, WHY ONLY MEDICINE? WHY ONLY SAITM? What about the thousands graduating from international schools?”
The Issue is Castism, Hegemony of SLMC and GMOA.
There are Private Hospitals. Why not Ban Private hospitals? Because the they are making money.
It is about retaining their franchise to charge patients cast ism and greed, at the expense of the country and the populace.
The People are with you, and the Courts are with you.
Expose, expose and Expose the SLMC and GMOA Mafia. Are the Mafia working in Private Hospitals in order to fleece the populace?
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Athula Liyanage / March 13, 2017
Bush, you should ask George Bush oops madman donald to intervene. Keshap can make one call and Sira would purge.
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Aravinda Jayaweera / March 13, 2017
Time for talking is over. Let the SAITM children let loose. They too can be as disruptive as these maniacs who have cause public mayhem.
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Encourager / March 13, 2017
You have painted a fair picture of SAITM. There;s more study and discipline at SAITM that people don’t know about and believe all the lies and false accusations of GOMA and twisted, jealous, illegal state meds who got in on district quotas for under privileged. Swollen heads cant think straight. SAITM is well trained, legalized and court verdict is to get internship training. Why is SLMC so pig headed as to rebel against the law of the land. Crazy for them to expect SAITM to comply, when they have already complied according to the Inspection team. More weird, insane and crazy for SLMC to expect SAITM or any other to respect them, when they themselves set example by rebelling against the legal verdict. Maniacal medicals made mad magically by marxist failed utopia now dead and buried. Need to do what is legal, not man’s opinions Must carry on this battle against evil forces, men, medics and agencies until justice prevails. Victory is yours.
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Thassim / March 13, 2017
Thank you for setting the record straight. I am not sure why so many local class envious people oppose it when top Sri Lankan Professors who specialized in England and in Australia etc are lecturers there after their retired from Government Service. So I am glad you responded to the Socialist Class envious free handout receiving idiot Sinhalese mostly. Some of those are NOT even Medical professors. They are those who passed Local A-levels on the third shy and went on government scholarships to study other fields not even slightly related to Medical sciences or Biology or Zoology but are Department heads now. Sad situation. This is what they did to PIM and all the PIM folks who were good students and were rich went abroad and now are shining as doctors in USA and UK. Some of them even are top specialist in the hard Residency programs in top universities like Albert Einstein in NYC, work with Dr. Denton Cooley, create patented medical life saving devices etc.
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Hilmy Ahamed / March 13, 2017
Thank you CT for providing space for these deserving kids, It is indeed a laudable effort
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Gamini / March 13, 2017
It is apparent views are diverse on this issue. The two extreme views are 1) close SAITM and no private medical colleges in SL 2) Private medical colleges are a must in SL and they need to be established with minimal regulations. I believe saner minds should prevail and ultimately a just decision should be made. Unfortunately the former government has not managed this policy area well and hence the current predicament. Now that the matter is before the Judiciary, there is no point discussing the issue publicly any longer, It will be ultimately decided by the Judiciary (thankfully there is s semblance of impartiality of the Judiciary at the present time) and hopefully the decision will be known soon. Until then, please be patient. All Stakeholders should bow down to that decision (that decision will be arrived at by learned Judges who will listen to both sides of the argument and decide according to the law of the Land).That’s what should happen in a vibrant Democracy.
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Atticus / March 14, 2017
‘That’s what should happen in a vibrant Democracy’
That’s what we have is it? A vibrant democracy? Under these two clowns. Did you see our Prime Minister answering questions at the Big Match? Deflecting each one with a pathetic attempt at humour, cheered on by all his sidekicks? God, what a country.
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villageman / March 13, 2017
Now I get the point. SAITM has hired a firm to build public image. They are using the few students who could boast about their AL results. Cambridge and EDEXEL results are nowhere near Sri Lankan AL results as they are following a different testing and marking system, everybody knows this.
Secondly, having an AL result alone cannot justify buying a medical seat. Say if every mudalali wants to open a private medical college, where we would end up? Every year we have several thousands of students with three simple passes in bio stream. Can we make all of them doctors? No. Why? Their parents do not have money. Can we let money alone to decide the fate of poor Sri Lankan patients? Do you say computer repairing and clinical training are same? If we allow private computer institutes, should allow private medical institutes?
Finally, why only SAITM? Are you telling to give licences to any private medical college that intend to open in Sri Lanka? Won’t such a situation adversely affect the patients?
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Nahfees / March 14, 2017
@Villageman,
Are you saying that Sri Lankan education system is superior to Cambridge education system? if so, it is preposterous. Singapore follows Cambridge exams, can you claim that Sri Lanka education is better than them with facts.
How many Olympiad have we produced with our so called superior education system? Just to remind you that the very term “Ordinary Level” and ” Advance Level” was given by british.
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DEMOCRAT / March 13, 2017
BETWEEN THE STUDENTS OF SAITM AND STATE UNIVERSITIES IS THE CULTURAL GAP WHICH CANNOT BE BRIDGED THE SAME WOULD APPLY FOR A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF GMOA
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NIM / March 13, 2017
You are absolutely right. State meds on underprivileged quotas terrified of the English speaking culture. If I were them, I will associate very closely and learn English well for a bright future. But these are fearful and insecure and have been tamed at the ragging so they have no ideas or imagination or vision of their own. How they can work out the diagnosis of a patient with this mentality is a mystery. I cant trust them at all GMOA too is basically a Sinhala speaking mafia, totally unlike the consultants who have studied and raveled about and seen what the real world is like
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Duminda / March 13, 2017
SAITAM is a private company with a share capital,. investors who own majority of shares control the SAITAM and has the power to produce doctors …after few years share capitial will be transfered to generation to generations.. that is where the problem lies.
anybody who has money can buy majority of shares, and he has the right to produce doctors for sri lanka..
it is
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Eusense / March 13, 2017
You say,
5) WE CANNOT SIT FOR ACT16 AS WE ARE NOT FOREIGN GRADUATES- it is an exam to test your ability to treat Sri Lankan patients with diseases prevailing in Sri Lanka. so why do we have to sit for that when we study in Sri Lanka?
It is not clear whether the SLMC does not allow you to sit for this exam or SAITM students don’t want to sit for this exam? Can you clarify?
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A Parent / March 13, 2017
I guess this must be protested by parents of private and International school kids too considering present and future of their own kids’ .
These private and International students’ parents must remember that they too are contributors of this so called ‘free education’, then why allow the same system to be blocking their own kids’ dreams and future through this medical mafia that was also largely the product of free education?
How far can SLMC and GMO govern the Govt and make it dance according to their whim and fancy with crippling the sector and letting the poor to suffer?
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Lucien Ludawyke / March 13, 2017
Its time that the Iron Fist of Gota is brought back to deal with these miscreants. We would need to line up thousands of white vans. Batalada too could join
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Nuwan / March 13, 2017
I’m sure SAITM is a better option compared to Pakistan. Real reason for not going there is security. Say it as it is my child.
I have a story. Many stories by the way. It’s not about SAITM. It’s even not about medical degrees. It’s about people, who restlessly are concerned about the future of their children. They are not rich. Not very poor, but not well off. They don’t have big fat deposits in banks, neither they have contacts at high places or influential organisations.
Come the election season, these people gather near election offices of a candidate. Day in day out they’d paste posters, help out at stage erections, prepare campaign material, pasting stamps on postcards can be a daunting task.
Post election every Wednesday these people will squat at Manthree Hamodurowo’s bungalow, expecting employment at wherever they see fit. Labourers, security guards we all know the list. One thing they never get is a NO from their favourite Manthree Hamuduruwo. Why? Because it is very important for the politician to keep these poor souls hopes up. Otherwise they won’t come back to serve another election campaign.
How this is relevant to this story is up to you to decide.
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Ceylonese / March 13, 2017
Elected leaders lack the guts to face the Medical Mafia, The current Doctors should sit for the ERPM to assess their eligibility to practice medicine in this day and age. This will reveal their incompetence for fleecing the sick.
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NIM / March 13, 2017
In the UK, doctors are assessed annually and then only are allowed to continue in the NHS National Health Service. If our jokers in the GMOA have to face any exams. they will definitely fail as these street urchins do not know medicine, morality or medical ethics. We are a sick nation, not needing doctors but exorcists. The major issue is not in SAITM, but inside the brains of SLMC. Decapitation might solve it somewhat.
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silva / March 13, 2017
hello dear
y ? dont you all have boys in SAITM? why only girls are writing? very cheap politics by ……
Be careful dear children, they may utilize u girls for some other activites .
you said you got a scholorship in Pakistan but as your paretns are not rich enough you selected 120 laks paying SAITM. This logic proves your IQ level.
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Ceylonese / March 13, 2017
Shilva – You could be the future of Sri Lanka, the misguided Chinhella
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Spectre / March 16, 2017
You have a very cheap mentality sir does it prick your eyes to see girls rising up in this society?? The era of male chauvinism is soo yesterday pls update yourself.
“The fee was 7 million for 5 years, but I earned a scholarship after having sat for their scholarship exam, which made it a bit better on my parents. Yet only my parents and I know the trouble they go through, to save up that money each year while also providing the best for my brother” it shows your level of IQ, when she has already said that she pays 7 mil. For 5 yrs you soeak about a 120 mil
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shifnax / March 13, 2017
let them study
let them study
let them study
then giv an exam to c if fit.
pls dont hinder education.strive for education from cradle to grave.
just bcos its free its not Cheap
just bcos its paid for its not Cheap
let them study
let them study.
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Janaka / March 13, 2017
Well said!
These students deserve to study here just like everyone else.
We will always stand with you!
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Citizen / March 13, 2017
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia all have their private medical colleges. Then why not here? GMOA is against SAITM on what they claim quality issues. Then what about North Colombo Medical College at Ragama? They were hell bent on closing it or nationalising. The governments and the public have given too much privileges and respect to these doctors. They are providing a professional service for a salary or fee or mostly for both. They are making maximum possible money out of misery of people They want to hold the people and the successive governments to ransom. One way of breaking this mafia is to absorb in to government carder only a fraction of those who pass out from Medical colleges on merit ranking and asking others to start their own private practices possibly with some start up assistance from the government.
In fact Medical field has gown in the recent past along with advancement in information and communication technology(ICT). Many medical procedures done today are connected to computers/ computer software developed by IT professionals. It is unfortunate that these breed of IT professionals do not get any merit or credit for their services. For example now cardiologists can avoid most of the the by pass surgeries by placement of stent to remove a block in the heart. This procedure cannot be done without the aid of relevant computer software developed by IT professionals. Recently National Hospital Director on record saying Doctors cannot be produce overnight like other professions and what the doctors do cannot be done by any others. What a silly talk without any common sense.
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Nahfees / March 13, 2017
I am just perplexed at the point that a known Pakistani institution awarded you a medical scholarship and then you turned it down? Is it Aga Khan?
I am in no way trying to ridicule you, but it seems too much to lose a medical scholarship from a reputed institution when I am stuck in financial misery.
I certainly understand the plight of the international school students (I was one) and SAITM students on how hard to convince that paying fee does not means buying knowledge/degree. The fee payment is for the service that professionals has to offer and exam set shows the depth of learning by the student.
SLMC does not recognize National University of Singapore(NUS) (I’m an Alumni) yet they send their to here for medical research etc etc. Even worse every SL politician strive to come here for seeking expert medical consultation.
How double standard is that ?
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Samuel Jayaweera / March 13, 2017
But you should also be aware there are at least few in the country, would not want their lovely ones to be away from their nests. That is common to some families.. in such a case, what is wrong their family to decide to keep her in the country … SAITM was then UGC recognized. However, that Paddeniya of today s spot light- President of brutal GMOA was also like a lab rat – never said a single word after having a dinner with most abusive former president. Paddeniya was abusive as the Rajapakshes and their kith and kin have been. The poor man would murder anyone for a rice packet and these men such as Paddeniya and other low men but with banners of MBBS around their forehead and forskin too behave abusing the nation further.
I know just normal people too today have been caught by International schools. They cant afford but they send their kid to those schools since the parents of that nature feel national schools have no priority being given to English langauge. Just the English makes them to change their total attitude.
But why the govt cant improve the govt schools and the staffs of them is also clear since lack of adequate funds.
Those countries like Pakistan, have no free schooling. That is the reason them to be dominated by illierate in that part of the world. Almost 6 out of 10 are illiterate .. including most females are beocming illiterate in such societies.
There is no proper principle for lanken education.. that creates the problem in this country. Earlier even JUST BA degree holders were held very intelligent , but today, even PhD holders have no ground in the society, … they hav ebeen compared to the national scale of the society- Dayana Jaythilaka who is the most known to have mixed up with all uneducated rascals. But he remains as the media darling for some gains.
Sirasa is giving him 2 regular talks… no matter the impact would have been.
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Nahfees / March 13, 2017
@Samuel,
I strongly agree on the point to keep the loved ones near you. sometimes situations forces one to sacrifice for the betterment of the pack. I was merely trying to understand her circumstances as I was also in her shoes since I was educated in an international school.
Yes, I had to leave my beloved homeland because of my education as my plight was similar to other deserving students. Another country was willing to give me a grant to study and contribute. Sri lankans are brainwashed to think that their curriculum is on par with international standards and boast about A/L like jim soft (above) equal to university first year, but you know the claim is thousand miles way from the truth.
Let SAITM students complete their educations as it was UGC recognized at the time of enrollment and it is today as well. I have been following this SAITM issue closely and after reading the students testimonies , their achievements should be recognized.
UGC/SLMC should give an alternative to test their competence by offering them to sit ACT 16. If offered I am very confident that these bright students will pass the exams with flying colors.
My best wishes to SAITM students
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shadia Hassan / March 13, 2017
PLEASE BRING BACK GOTABHAYA RAJAPAKSA TO DEAL WITH THESE MISCREANTS. HOW MUCH THE COUNTRY MISSES HIM, with all these street protests and garbage piles. My vote is certianly for him if he runs without his stupid brother Mahinda
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Jay / March 13, 2017
God Forbid!
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Atticus / March 13, 2017
Which leader is not corrupt and cruel? Isn’t that Tamil journalist still in prison under this Government? Don’t the Police still torture suspects? Aren’t Tamil civilians still harassed in the North? Isn’t the father of those murdered Trinco students still waiting for justice? Aren’t demonstrators still beaten up? Don’t criminals and drug dealers still walk the streets freely because they have political clout? Aren’t ministers, mps and local councillors still taking bribes? Hasn’t MS’ brother been made SLT chairman despite all sorts of promises to end nepotism? Don’t the thug like sons of ministers and presidents still run riot assaulting civilians? All under the benevolent auspices of RW andMS. So why would Gota be so bad?
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Sinhala_Man / March 13, 2017
Gota is a mass murderer!
But it is true that there is a definite effort (by a vociferous handful of racists) to put him in the saddle.
A disaster if that happens.
I’m a grassroots guy; it is terribly important that you Colombians make no noise that suggests that the villagers who have no access to English are inferior beings. I notice that there seem to be articles in Sinhala also on this SAITM issue. Fine. However, they may have to be posted on a different forum. The villager does not look here for news.
It’s the Sinhala and Tamil newspapers that matter most. I must confess that I don’t read those at all, although my oral interaction in Sinhala is pretty free – and in a very rural area. At some point it is elections that will decide where we are going. It is those votes that have to be swayed. The poor don’t realise just how bad it will be FOR THEM if the Rajapaksas return.
Maithri, essentially a decent man, but he seemed to lose his nerve about nine months ago. The UNP – when is there going to be a POSSIBILITY for soebody other than Ranil W. to be the leader? Like saying Obama was elected twice as POTUS. Can a non-Sinhalese Buddhist ever be the leader of Sri lanka, whatever title such leader could have?
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Citizen / March 13, 2017
Why is the government so scared of these jealous students who are protesting against those who deserve higher education (free or paid)?
Why are our children going to Russia, China, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh and Nepal for higher studies when actually children in those countries should come to us?
Why cannot the government make Sri Lanka the hub of education in the region by not only attracting private (Local & foreign) universities but also foreign students by offering quality education at an affordable rate?
Can the government increase the number of state universities in Sri Lanka (at least one in every district) or can they expand the already existing universities to accommodate more students? Can the government establish paid universities in Sri Lanka under the UGC or expand the already existing universities to accommodate students for a fee, whilst continuing the free education system, somewhat similar to those government hospitals with paying wards. A system that will not only allow many to obtain higher education paying a fees but also help the universities to offer more seats for free education to the under privileged.
If the above is not possible, then the government should allow both local and foreign private universities in Sri Lanka. It is high time that the government should totally ignore any kind of protests and seriously think about this matter on a very urgent basis.
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Atticus / March 13, 2017
Good luck to you Bushra, I hope you continue to do well. One thing you have missed out on at SAITM is the ragging undergone at those so-called wonderful state universities, but I don’t suppose you regret that.
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