The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a new agreement aimed at providing Sri Lankan students with higher education opportunities in South Korea, followed by employment prospects and opportunities for long-term residence.

Under the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Sri Lankan students selected through the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will be able to pursue higher education at Changshin University in South Korea.

The programme also aims to facilitate employment opportunities in industries located in South Korea’s Gyeongsangnam-do Province, along with opportunities for long-term residence in the province.

According to the government, a new MoU and operational framework have been prepared involving five parties: Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Labour, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, South Korea’s Gyeongsangnam-do Province, the Sacheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Changshin University.

The initiative follows an earlier MoU signed between NIOSH and Changshin University in 2023 to implement vocational training and student exchange programmes.

However, the previous agreement could not be implemented due to issues concerning certain provisions, prompting the preparation of a revised agreement and operational framework.

The Cabinet has approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Labour to proceed with the new agreement involving the five parties.