Colombo University begins registration

The University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) is now in the process of enrolling new students to read for the Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) external degree, UCSC Director, Professor Gihan Wikramanayake said.

“This is the 12th intake for this external degree programme. Since launching this course in 2000, the UCSC has produced 941 BIT graduates”, he said.

The graduates who had passed out of the UCSC over the past eleven years are now employed in leading corporates, both in Sri Lanka and overseas, earning top salaries as professionals in rewarding careers in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sphere, the Director said.

Students who had passed three subjects in the GCE (Advanced Level) examination can enrol directly to read for the BIT external degree, while those with lesser A/L qualifications can also do so by first successfully completing the Foundation in Information Technology (FIT) course after their GCE (O/L), Prof. Wikramanayake said.

He said students, who sat for the GCE (Advanced Level) examination and are still awaiting results, can also make use of this opportunity to enrol for the BIT external degree course enrolling with pending results. New academic year commences in October.

There are two options for students who register directly to complete this degree programme. There are over 20 private sector ICT-related educational institutions islandwide which conduct classes on the BIT external degree course. One option available to students is to attend these classes regularly, without an interruption, and complete the degree programme, he noted.

The other is the self study option, where students can read for this degree by studying on their own without attending classes. Many current internal undergraduates enrolled for non-IT degree programmes in the university system follow this path, Prof. Wikramanayake elaborated.

He said that for those unable to attend regular classes, either because they are employed or for whatever other reason, the UCSC provides facilities to read for the BIT external degree course via the Internet.

Learning resources and online facilitation is provided for students learning through this mode.

Students who successfully complete the first year of the BIT degree are awarded the Diploma in Information Technology which is a productive qualification for those employed as well as for job aspirants, the Director noted.

Students who successfully complete the second year of this degree course are awarded the Higher Diploma in Information Technology and those who successfully complete the full three years of the study programme qualify for the BIT external degree, Prof. Wikramanayake said.

He said that at present many government and private sector educational institutions conduct degree courses in the ICT sphere, but what is noteworthy is that the preferred choice amongst ICT students is the BIT external degree conducted by the UCSC.

The Colombo University is the pioneer in introducing internal and external degrees in the ICT sphere in Sri Lanka.

The Human Resources Development external degree in the ICT field, which was first launched by the Colombo University, as it was considered a necessity at the time, has now earned national and international recognition.

More details on the UCSC BIT external degree course can be accessed through website www.bit.lk