Setting an example to other education providers in taking the initiative to make the island nation a regional education hub, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) in partnership with Curtin University has officially launched its newest global campus, Curtin University Colombo.
Curtin University Colombo is the sixth global campus of Curtin University after Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, UAE and Mauritius. Curtin University Colombo Chairman and SLIIT Vice Chancellor, Professor Lalith Gamage, said with the setting up of Curtin University Colombo they hope to woo foreign students to study in Sri Lanka which will be very much cheaper for them rather than going to universities in other countries.
He also said that they hope to amass a FOREX in the excess of USD 1 billion to Sri Lanka through this program in the next three years. This is the first time such a FOREX would come towards Sri Lanka from the education sector initiated by a private university. Prof. Gamage also recalled that the Sri Lanka IT segment was stagnating in the 1990’s as the Moratuwa campus could recruit only around 16 graduates while there was a demand for around 1,000 by the industry.
“I tried my level best to increase the intake to this university from 19 to 25 but failed. Then I started SLIIT at Kollupitiya BOC Merchant tower which firstly helped to fill the void of the local ITC industry and then produce top graduates to both local and international markets. We then sought the help of Curtin University Australia to convert our courses to international standards which they did and they and now they have taken a further step by setting up their campus in Sri Lanka. Curtin University Colombo will operate from a purpose-built facility. “Looking back we have invested over Rs. 7 billion for our operations so far and towards this campus which will help to elevate Sri Lanka as a regional education Hub we have invested around Rs. 3 billion. Having a fully-fledged campus of Curtin University, which is consistently ranked within the top 1% of universities globally, is of national significance and augurs well for the future of higher education in this region.”
“Curtin University Colombo will enhance its contributions to Sri Lankan education and research, while fostering Sri Lanka’s progress by nurturing a skilled and competitive workforce.”
Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne attended the unveiling celebration and said the new campus showcases Curtin’s commitment to offering students worldwide top tier learning opportunities.
“Transforming our presence in Sri Lanka into a fully-fledged campus strengthens our commitment to the region and builds on our long-standing, successful partnership with the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT),” Professor Hayne said. Australian high commissioner in Sri Lanka Paul Stephen said that this will help Sri Lankan students to acquire high skills.
