Community development in Sri Lanka

South Asia Academy for Good Governance (SAAGG)

SAAGG was inaugurated on 28 August 2007 in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Its purpose is to facilitate practical, action learning style opportunities for the many Sri Lankans who do not have the qualifications or money to follow traditional educational routes. SAAG is a member of the Samadeepa Samaja Kendraya family of organizations.

Samadeepa was founded in 1980 and it consists of a network of private limited liability companies, NGOs and more than 100 community-based organizations. Samadeepa's research and training arm Community Development Research and Training Institute, has trained more than 10,000 people in Sri Lanka.

South Asian Academy for Good Governance
The vision and mission of SAAGG
'In a Sri Lankan context it is only a dream to think of a degree without an uninterrupted formal education. On the other hand, we can see governance in relation to all sectors has become weakened and the majority of the people are suffering in the vicious circle of bribery, corruption, war, violence, poverty, ill-health and ignorance. In the circumstances, there is a responsibility on the part of all civic minded people to work for a world where democracy will flourish with good governance, transparency, accountability, social responsibility, human rights and rule of law. With this in mind, the South Asian Academy of Good Governance (SAAG) was established in Sri Lanka and is based in its ancient capital, Anuradhapura. SAAG promotes these goals at all levels through proficiency proved professional awards and other titles after training, counselling, guidance, examination, investigation, monitoring and evaluation.’

- Chandrarathne Bandara, Executive Director, SAAGG

 

National support for SAAGG
Inauguration, 28 August 2007
'The problem of political violence in Sri Lanka has been one that earned the country notoriety in the international community. But neither the ethnic conflict nor other pressing problems that generate violence and dissatisfaction in the country can be viewed in isolation from the problems of governance. Making the institutions of state more trustworthy is one of the important challenges facing Sri Lanka and other countries of South Asia at the present time. Good Governance that builds trust is a crucial issue in peace building.’

- Jehan Perera, Executive Director, National Peace Council, Sri Lanka

'I thank Samadeepa Samaja Kendrya (SAAGG’s host organization) for creating awareness among the citizens of this country on Good Governance when the attention of the world has been focused on this issue.'

- Mahinha Rajapaksha, President, Sri Lanka

Thu 14 Jan: Monk Sadu (left) and Chandrarathne Bandara, Executive Director, South Asian Academy for Good Governance (SAAGG) (right), prepare for morning prayer prior to completing the formal affiliation agreement between SAAGG and GULL.

 

 

Chandrarathne Bandara is a leader in the field of community development in Sri Lanka. He is also Founder and Field Director, Samadeepa Samaja Kendraya Inc., Founder, Action Group for Social Development, Founder, Peoples' Assembly of Sri Lanka, National Representative, Sri Lanka, World Association of Non Governmental Organizations and an Ambassador for Peace.

 

 

Chandrarathne Bandara addresses representatives of SAAGG and members of the General Council, Samadeepa

 

Richard Teare, GULL President (left) congratulates Chandrarathne Bandara (right) , Executive Director, SAAGG on his appointment as GULL’s representative for Sri Lanka.

Endorsing SAAGG and GULL
Affiliated,14 January 2010
GULL is recognized by the Government of Papua New Guinea & endorsed by other Governments, Leaders & Institutions.

Chandrarathne Bandara (right) receives for SAAGG-GULL ,written endorsement from the Sri Lankan Government enabling SAAGG-GULL to award GULL’s full suite of professional certificates, diplomas and degrees in Sri Lanka. The endorsements include a letter of support from the Minister of Education, Sri Lanka

 

SAAGG and GULL

 

Concluding the affiliation agreement, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka on 14 Jan 2010.

 

Richard Teare (centre) and to his right, Monk Sadu, Chandrarathne and Charles Jayasinghe, Chief Adviser, Samadeepa Samaja Kendraya Inc., and Director, SAAGG

 

SAAGG-GULL briefing at the Industrial Development Authority
Organized by Dr Semasinghe, Chairman, Industrial Development Authority, Ministry of Industries – North Central Province, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

 

SAAGG-GULL briefing to the Free Trade Union Development (FTUD) Centre. Organized by Dr Tilakasiri, President, FTUD. Among other roles, Dr Tilakasiri is President, Tsunami Relief & Rebuilding Foundation, Sri Lanka.

 

(Left) Visiting an after school Science class taught in English, (Centre) Ancient city of Anuradhapura with Chandrarathne and Sadu, (Right) Banana stop with Charles Jayasinghe

AMBASSADOR FOR JUSTICE (AJ)
SAAG-GULL outcomes mapping:

SAAG professional titles:	GULL award eligibility:
AJ service oriented (SO)	Bachelor (B) Level 1 (BL1) Entry
AJ service seeking (SS)	BL2 Certificate
AJ service minded (SM)	BL3 Diploma
AJ excellent service (ES)	BL4 Associate degree
AJ outstanding service (OS)	BL5 Bachelor degree
AJ teacher of service (TS)	Master (M) ML1 Entry

NOTES ON AMBASSADOR FOR JUSTICE (AJ) TITLES
SAAG-GULL outcomes mapping: AJ awards are verified by independent review, evaluation (nomination stage) and prior to the award, by interview with a local internal reviewer (for GULL L1-4 awards) and additionally, an independent local external reviewer (for GULL L5 awards). All reviewers are asked to prepare a concise written report confirming their recommendations (accept/defer until further evidence is available/decline) for each candidate.

Recipients of L1-4 awards are eligible to continue the learning journey via their GULL entry point pathway (Bachelor or Master) by action learning with outcomes verified by internal review and additionally by external review at L5.

 

PROFICIENCY PROVED PROFESSIONAL AWARDS & TITLES
SAAG-GULL outcomes mapping:

SAAG awards and titles:	GULL award eligibility:
Certificate	Bachelor (B) Level 2 Certificate
Diploma	BL3 Diploma
Higher Diploma	BL4 Associate degree
Title of Shasthra Kami (TSK) knowledge oriented	BL5 Professional degree
Title of Shasthra Gaveshi (TSG) knowledge seeking	Master (M) L1 Entry
Title of Shasthra Bhooshana (TSE) excellent knowledge	ML2 Certificate
Title of Shasthrabhimani (TSO) outstanding knowledge	ML5 Master degree
Title of Gaurawacharya (TGA) teacher of honour	Doctor (D) Level 5 degree

NOTES ON PROFICIENCY PROVED PROFESSIONAL AWARDS & TITLES
SAAG-GULL outcomes mapping: Proficiency proved awards (Certificate, Diploma, Higher Diploma) and titles (TSK, TSG, TSE, TSO, TGA) are verified by independent review, evaluation (nomination stage) and prior to the award, by interview with a local internal reviewer (for GULL L1-4 awards) and additionally, an independent local external reviewer (for GULL L5 awards). All reviewers are asked to prepare a concise written report confirming their recommendations (accept or defer until proficiency gaps have been addressed) for each candidate.
 
Recipients of L1-4 awards are eligible to continue the learning journey via their GULL entry point pathway (Bachelor or Master) by action learning with outcomes verified by internal review and additionally by external review at L5.

 

SRI LANKAN FURTHER & HIGHER EDUCATION AWARD HOLDERS
SAAG-GULL outcomes mapping:

Award held on entry:	Indicative continuation:
Certificate	BL3 Diploma
Diploma	BL3 Diploma
Higher Diploma	BL4 Associate degree
Bachelor or General degree	BL4 Associate degree
Bachelor with Honours or Special degree	BL4 Associate degree
Master degree	ML4 Advanced Diploma
Doctor degree	DL4 Advanced Diploma

GULL award eligibility: Accepted as entry qualifications at the appropriate level - up to and including BL4, ML4 and DL4.

PATHWAYS FOR SRI LANKAN FURTHER & HIGHER EDUCATION AWARD HOLDERS
SAAG-GULL outcomes mapping: There are no direct entry options to Bachelor, Master or Doctor pathways at Level 5. This is because GULL's professional awards are based on action learning and a foundation period (the entry level) is necessary to acquire and develop skills and confidence in action learning prior to completing a Level 5 award.
 
All awards are verified by independent review and prior to the award, by interview with a local internal reviewer (for GULL L1-4 awards) and additionally, an independent local external reviewer (for GULL L5 awards). All reviewers are asked to prepare a concise written report confirming their recommendations (accept or defer until proficiency gaps have been addressed) for each candidate.

GULL is a not-for-profit foundation registered in California, USA. GULL is recognized by the Government of Papua New Guinea & endorsed by other Governments, Leaders & Institutions.