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Higher education in Sri Lanka has captured leT in a large degree to create
technologically sound graduates who can effectively face to the challenges in this
rapidly changing job market demands with technology advancement. However,
literature reveals that ICT adoption has not been taken place among university
students to achieve the concern. These circumstances constitute why undergraduates
do not use leT up to the desired level. Therefore, this study aims to explore the
present situation regarding leT in universities and the job market, identifying
necessity ofICT skills and the factors affecting to use leT and strategies to promote
using leT in universities. The study followed the phenomenological approach using
qualitative paradigm through semi structured interviews and focus group
discussions. Altogether 24 semi structured interviews and focus group discussions
were conducted at the four selected universities and various other fields. The data
was analyzed using thematic content analytical techniques. Results revealed that the
basic K'T is an essential component for todays job market and advanced leT skills
cause to have higher positions. Universities were making efforts to make graduates
K'T literate by enhancing their facilities, resources and courses. To receive benefits
using K'T, as lecturers believe that students should use IC'I', ease related to K'T,
availability of more infrastructure facilities, community to which students belong,
prior leT experience, gender, subject streams and the university belong were the
main factors identified for using ICT. The strategies to promote using ICT in
universities were to enhance the leT environment of universities including
infrastructure, staff and courses, to promote leT based education, and to form
strategic plans to force students to make full use of leT in universities. It is
recommended that the strategies brought up the interviewees could be implemented
at university level to improve the ICT education.
