Centre for Distance and Continuing Education (CDCE)
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka is committed to its efforts in providing Open and Distance Learning (ODL). The students, who qualify to enter universities, but fail to gain admission due to lack of space and facilities in the universities benefited by ODL. Recognizing the national importance of distance and continuing education/learning, Rajarata University has established the Centre for Distance and Continuing Education as per the provisions of the UGC Circular No. 932 in 2010 and subsequently with the approval at the 155th meeting of the Council of the University on 24th October 2011. CDCE of Rajarata University of Sri Lanka is an independent administrative body established mainly to operationalize and coordinate the activities pertaining to the external degree programmes and extension courses. Since then, the CDCE has functioned at the Faculty of Applied Sciences until 31st March 2014. The CDCE was shifted to the main administrative building with effect from 1st April 2014.
The Management Committee (MC) chaired by the Vice Chancellor is the main governing body of the CDCE and CDCE coordinates all academic activities of external programmes through the Board of Studies in respective faculties. The role of CDCE mainly centers on advertising and calling applications for external programmes, registration, conducting examinations and issuing results, procurements and payments, etc.
It adheres to the guidelines provided by the University Grant Commission on quality assurance of external programmes in all its programmes. CDCE is continuously growing with the development of physical and human resources and will expand as a fully-fledged administrative entity in the distance and continuing education sector in Sri Lanka.
Vision of CDCE
To be an internationally recognized Centre of excellence in Distance and Continuing Education.
Mission of CDCE
To contribute to the development of a knowledge-based society through providing access to higher education programmes in high demand to students of all age groups and through catering to the needs of adult learners who seek higher education for career advancement, in an intellectually stimulating academic environment.
The functions of CDCE are administered by a Management Committee (MC) and the Centre is headed by a Director who is a senior academic staff member of the University appointed by the Vice Chancellor. The other officers of the CDCE are Deputy Director (Examinations), Assistant Registrar/ Senior Assistant Registrar and Assistant Bursar. The Management Committee meets regularly and reviews the progress of external degrees and extension courses offered by the University.
At present CDCE caters to ten external academic programmes including three external degree programmes, four Diploma level programmes and three Certificate level programmes. Three degree programmes offered are B.Sc. External Degree in Biological Sciences and B.Sc. External Degree in Physical Sciences offered by Faculty of Applied Sciences and Faculty of Management Studies offers Bachelor in Business Administration.