The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation (P159995) Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation (P159995) SOUTH ASIA | Sri Lanka | Education Global Practice | Requesting Unit: SACSL | Responsible Unit: GED06 IBRD/IDA | Program-for-Results Financing | FY 2017 | Team Leader(s): Harsha Aturupane Seq No: 3 | ARCHIVED on 03-Jan-2019 | ISR34893 | Created by: Anita Lakshmi Fernando on 14-Nov-2018 | Modified by: Harsha Aturupane on 31-Dec-2018 Program Development Objectives Program Development Objective (from Program Appraisal Document) The program development objective (PDO) is to increase enrollment in priority disciplines, improve the quality of degree programs and promote research and innovation in the higher education sector. Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Satisfactory Satisfactory     Implementation Status and Key Decisions The Operation has made satisfactory progress over the last six months. All three Results Areas have already met, or are on track to meet, their results targets for 2018. All positions in the Operations and Monitoring Support Team have been filled. This has been the main factor contributing to the strong implementation progress and the achievement of targets. Results Area 1: Increasing Enrollment in Higher Education in Priority Disciplines for Economic Development. There has been strong progress in this area. Enrollment in priority disciplines, science, engineering, technology, and mathematics (STEM) programs, in universities has reached 46,500, slightly above the target of 46,000 for 2018. Enrollment in SLIATE STEM programs has reached 7,440, which exceeds the target of 6,900 enrollments for 2018. Results Area 2: Improving the Quality of Higher Education. There has been great enthusiasm for Enriching Learning Teaching and Assessment (ELTA) and English Language Skills Enhancement (ELSE) development projects (DPs). Fifty-one out of 53 eligible faculties applied for the first round of ELTA-ELSE DPs. Fifteen faculties have qualified thus far to receive funds for these DPs. This exceeds target of 12 faculties qualifying for Faculty level ELTA-ELSE DPs in 2018. About 80 departments applied for the first round of department level ELTA-ELSE DPs. The proposals received are under evaluation and are expected to be completed by December 31, 2018. Preliminary results from the evaluations suggest that the target of awarding at least 12 department level development projects will be met, and probably exceeded. Quality assurance. There has been steady progress in quality assurance activities. Two universities, Jaffna and Wayamba, were targeted to conduct institutional quality assurance reviews in 2018. Both reviews have been completed. Scholarships for academics to obtain postgraduate qualifications has made steady progress. 125 scholarships have been awarded to academics from the 15 universities. Among these, 15 have already commenced their PhD degree overseas. However, many of the scholarship winners have not yet obtained placements. This process needs to be accelerated. Results Area 3: Promoting Research, Development, and Innovation. There has been very good progress in this area. Thirty-three research, innovation and commercialization projects have been awarded. This exceeds the target of research 29 projects to be awarded in 2018. Going forwards, there are some challenges that will need to be addressed. The momentum of project implementation slowed down during the period late October to mid-December 2018, due to uncertainty at the policy level. This momentum will need to be regained now that the status of the policy level has become clearer. Data on Financial Performance 1/3/2019 Page 1 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation (P159995) Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P159995 IBRD-87430 Effective USD 67.00 67.00 0.00 2.88 64.12 4.3% P159995 IDA-60260 Effective USD 33.00 33.00 0.00 4.71 29.22 14% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P159995 IBRD-87430 Effective 12-May-2017 17-Jul-2017 17-Aug-2017 30-Jun-2023 30-Jun-2023 P159995 IDA-60260 Effective 12-May-2017 17-Jul-2017 17-Aug-2017 30-Jun-2023 30-Jun-2023 Program Action Plan Action Description Develop an internal audit plan for FY18 with a risk-based approach to auditing Responsibility Recurrent Frequency Due Date DLI# Status OMST, Universities No 30-Jun-2018 In Progress An internal audit plan has been developed for the OMST and the universities. This is being checked with the Comments expenditures for the first year of implementation. Action Description Automated accounting system installed for World Bank-financed activities of the OMST and universities Responsibility Recurrent Frequency Due Date DLI# Status OMST, Universities No 31-Dec-2018 In Progress Comments Action Description The OMST made functional with minimum 80% of managerial and academic positions filled Responsibility Recurrent Frequency Due Date DLI# Status MHEH, UGC No 17-Nov-2017 Completed Comments Action Description Operations Manual updated Responsibility Recurrent Frequency Due Date DLI# Status OMST No 30-Sep-2018 Completed 1/3/2019 Page 2 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation (P159995) Comments Action Description Third-party verification reports provided as evidence of achievement of the DLIs Responsibility Recurrent Frequency Due Date DLI# Status MHEH, UGC, OMST Yes YEARLY In Progress Comments The third-party verification agency has been identified. Citizen engagement: Stakeholder consultation and feedback activities conducted with policy makers, academics, Action Description employers, and students Responsibility Recurrent Frequency Due Date DLI# Status MHEH, UGC, OMST Yes YEARLY In Progress The OMST has been engaged in stakeholder consultations with the universities and policy makers in the context of Comments awarding the ELTA-ELSE and Research and Innovation Project. The MHEH and universities to set up the required AHEAD procurement committees with appropriate delegation to the Action Description OMST and OTS offices Responsibility Recurrent Frequency Due Date DLI# Status MHEH, UGC, Universities Yes CONTINUOUS Completed Comments The procurement committees are in place for the OMST and the OTS officers in the universities. Action Description Complete the recruitment of the first set of consultants under the POTS component Responsibility Recurrent Frequency Due Date DLI# Status OMST No 31-Dec-2017 Completed Comments The first set of consultants have been recruited and are functioning. Action Description Finalize a system for government funds to support a loan scheme for students enrolled in non-state HEIs Responsibility Recurrent Frequency Due Date DLI# Status OMST No 17-Feb-2018 Completed Comments Action Description Develop an internal audit plan for FY18 with a risk-based approach to auditing 1/3/2019 Page 3 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation (P159995) Responsibility Recurrent Frequency Due Date DLI# Status OMST, Universities No 30-Jun-2018 In Progress An internal audit plan has been developed for the OMST and the universities. This is being checked with the Comments expenditures for the first year of implementation. Action Description Automated accounting system installed for World Bank-financed activities of the OMST and universities Responsibility Recurrent Frequency Due Date DLI# Status OMST, Universities No 31-Dec-2018 In Progress A terms of reference has been prepared for the recruitment of a firm for this activity. The procurement process has to Comments be implemented. Action Description Appoint environmental and social focal points at UGC and SLIATE Responsibility Recurrent Frequency Due Date DLI# Status UGC, SLIATE No 17-Feb-2018 In Progress Comments Environmental and social focal points have been identified. There formal appointment is pending. Prepare and implement an annual training and capacity building plan and learning module on environmental and social Action Description management within the Program context. Responsibility Recurrent Frequency Due Date DLI# Status UGC, SLIATE Yes Yearly In Progress A training and capacity building plan and learning module on environmental and social management is under Comments preparation. Complete the program for MHEH and UGC to monitor safeguards compliance in the university sector from FY18 Action Description onwards Responsibility Recurrent Frequency Due Date DLI# Status MHEH, UGC, OMST Yes Yearly In Progress The Environmental Specialist in the OMST has visited all universities to monitor the status of safeguards compliance in Comments the university sector. She has identified good practices and weaknesses. Discussions are in progress to strengthen compliance. Risks 1/3/2019 Page 4 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation (P159995) Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance -- Substantial Substantial Macroeconomic -- Moderate Moderate Sector Strategies and Policies -- Moderate Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program -- Substantial Substantial Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Sustainability -- Moderate Moderate Fiduciary -- High High Environment and Social -- Moderate Moderate Stakeholders -- Moderate Moderate Other -- Low Low Overall -- Substantial Substantial RiskComments Comments The "other risks: category is identified as low. This is because all reasonable risks that have been identified fall into the risk categories above. Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes Results Area 1: Increasing Enrollment in HE in Priority Disciplines for Economic Development IN00648048 ►Enrollment in HEI STEM undergraduate degree programs increased (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 42,800.00 44,800.00 46,500.00 53,100.00 Date 31-Mar-2017 15-Jun-2018 31-Oct-2018 30-Dec-2022 Comments IN00648056 ►Enrollment in SLIATE STEM programs increased (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 6,000.00 7,440.00 7,440.00 9,200.00 Date 31-Mar-2017 15-Jun-2018 31-Oct-2018 30-Dec-2022 Comments 1/3/2019 Page 5 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation (P159995) Results Area 2: Improving the Quality of Higher Education IN00648049 ►Increased quality assurance of the university system (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target A QA review system has Quality assurance It is expected that the QA been developed. A new reviews of 10 percent of Quality assurance reviews for Wayamba sequence of QA reviews the universities have reviews of at least 90 and Rajarata Universities Value of universities, based on been completed and the percent of the will be published updated manuals, will be ratings are expected to universities completed including their ratings by implemented from 2018 be published by and ratings published. end of 2018. onwards. December 31, 2018. Date 31-Mar-2017 15-Jun-2018 31-Oct-2018 30-Dec-2022 Comments IN00648057 ►Faculty-level systems for ELTA and ELSE through competitive grants developed and outcomes achieved (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target At least 20 faculties awarded ELTA-ELSE grants have achieved 80 percent of their All universities informed. 12 faculties have outcome targets 50 EOIs received from all Value 0.00 qualified to receive related to the universities. Call for ELTA-ELSE grants. promotion of academic proposals sent. learning combined with interactions between university students and the world of work. Date 31-Mar-2017 15-Jun-2018 31-Oct-2018 30-Dec-2022 Comments Results Area 3: Promoting Research, Development and Innovation IN00648050 ►Univeristy-level systems for Research and Development Innovation, and Commercialization (RDIC) programs developed and outcomes achieved (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Nine ICR grants have been awarded. The research community has At least 48 RDIC shown strong interest in Thirty-three RDIC program grants under the RDIC program, and a program grants have the first and second Value 0.00 large number of proposal been awarded under rounds have achieved for the DOR and RIC the first round. 80 percent of their projects is expected. The outcome targets. probability of the target is being met during 2018 is high. Date 31-Mar-2017 15-Jun-2018 31-Oct-2018 30-Dec-2022 Comments Intermediate Results Indicators by Results Areas 1/3/2019 Page 6 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation (P159995) Increasing Enrollment in Higher Education in Priority Disciplines for Economic Development IN00648060 ►SLIATE STEM programs increase intake (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 2,000.00 2,130.00 2,130.00 5,200.00 Date 31-Mar-2017 15-Jun-2018 31-Oct-2018 30-Dec-2022 Comments Improving the Quality of Higher Education IN00648058 ►University IQAUs function to specified standards (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 93.00 93.00 90.00 Date 31-Mar-2017 15-Jun-2018 31-Oct-2018 30-Dec-2022 Comments IN00649991 ►Citizen engagement: Stakeholder feedback surveys conducted (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target End-term stakeholder feedback survey conducted and The baseline survey feedback utilized for has been advertised. the updating of the Value 0.00 -- The survey will Higher Education commence in early Strategy. Satisfaction 2019. levels of stakeholders increased by 30 percent over the baseline. Date 31-Mar-2017 -- 31-Oct-2018 30-Dec-2022 Comments IN00649996 ►Percentage of cash released, by Treasury against the cash requests, for the items in the program expenditure framework channeled through the regular treasury system (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 95.00 -- 97.00 95.00 Date 31-Mar-2017 -- 31-Oct-2018 30-Dec-2022 Comments IN00649997 1/3/2019 Page 7 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation (P159995) ►Number of entity audit reports available within stipulated time period after end of financial year (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target All 17 entities have the 10 out of 17 entities had 14 entities have the FY20 audit reports the FY14 audit reports FY16 audit reports available within 9 available within 12 months available within 11 Value -- months of the end of of the end of the financial months of the end of the the financial year, that year, that is, by December financial year, that is, by is, by September 30, 31, 2015. November 30, 2017. 2021. Date 31-Mar-2017 -- 31-Oct-2018 30-Dec-2022 Comments Promoting Research, Development and Innovation IN00648059 ►Universities develop business linkage (UBL) offices functioning to specified standards (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target UBL offices UBL offices established UBL offices established functioning to specified UBL guidelines issued by Value in 33 percent of the in 40 percent of the standards in at least UGC universities. universities. 80 percent of the universities Date 31-Mar-2017 15-Jun-2018 31-Oct-2018 30-Dec-2022 Comments Disbursement Linked Indicators DLI_IND_TABLE ►DLI 1 HEI STEM degree programs increase intake (Outcome, 22,000,000.00, 0%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) 2022 Value 14,300.00 14,600.00 14,800.00 -- Date 31-Mar-2017 15-Jun-2018 31-Oct-2018 -- Information will be available by end of December 2018. Comments ►DLI 2 Higher Education Development Strategy (HEDS) implemented and regularly updated (Output, 8,000,000.00, 0%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) 2022 The HEDS is being MHEH and UGC implemented. have implemented Higher Education Higher Education Consultations to the HEDS and Value Development Strategy for Development Strategy for strengthen the role of non- updated it to cover 2017 to 2023 in place. 2017 to 2023 in place. state HEIs in the HEDS calendar years 2021 has commenced. to 2026 Date 31-Mar-2017 15-Jun-2018 31-Oct-2018 -- 1/3/2019 Page 8 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation (P159995) Comments ►DLI 3 Faculty-level systems for ELTA/ELSE through competitive grants developed and outcomes achieved for arts, management, and science degree programs (Outcome, 24,000,000.00, 0%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) 2022 At least twenty faculties awarded ELTA ELSE grants have achieved eighty percent of All universities informed. their outcome 12 faculties have qualified 50 EOIs received from all targets related to the Value 0.00 to receive ELTA-ELSE universities. Call for promotion of grants. proposals sent. academic learning combined with interactions between university students and the world of work Date 31-Mar-2017 15-Jun-2018 31-Oct-2018 -- Comments ►DLI 4 Department-level systems for ELTA/ELSE through competitive grants developed and outcomes achieved for arts, management, and science degree programs (Output, 11,000,000.00, 0%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) 2022 At least twenty four (24) departments awarded ELTA- ELSE grants have achieved eighty percent (80%) of All universities informed. 12 departments have their outcome 109 EOIs received from Value 0.00 qualified to receive ELTA- targets related to the 14 universities. ELSE grants. promotion of academic learning combined with interactions between university students and the world of work. Date 31-Mar-2017 15-Jun-2018 31-Oct-2018 -- Comments ►DLI 5 PhD and master's degrees and professional doctorates completed by university, non-state HEIs, and SLIATE academic staff (Output, 12,000,000.00, 0%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) 2022 Value 0.00 140 applications have 125 PhD candidate have At least 200 been received for PHD been selected. academics who scholarships and were awarded the 1/3/2019 Page 9 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation (P159995) interviews have been MHEH or UGC scheduled. scholarships have completed their PhD or Master’s degrees or professional doctorates Date 31-Mar-2017 15-Jun-2018 31-Oct-2018 -- Comments ►DLI 6 University-level systems for Research and Development, Innovation, and Commercialization (RDIC) programs developed and outcomes achieved (Outcome, 16,000,000.00, 0%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) 2022 Nine ICR grants have At least forty eight been awarded. The DOR grants, RIC research community has grants, or ICE grants shown strong interest in under the first and the RDIC program, and a 30 RDIC program grants second rounds of Value 0.00 large number of proposal have been awarded under calls for proposals for the DOR and RIC the first round. under the RDIC projects is expected. The program have probability of the target is achieved eighty being met during 2018 is percent of their high. outcome targets. Date 31-Mar-2017 15-Jun-2018 31-Oct-2018 -- Comments 1/3/2019 Page 10 of 10