The Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) will create a landmark in the country’s higher education sector with the launch of their new ‘SLIIT International Campus’ during the first quarter of 2021.
The new state-of-the-art university, whose design and facilities would match its international peers, is a vital step in the institute’s plans to internationalize higher education in Sri Lanka.
The SLIIT International campus will own a full franchise of the prestigious Curtin university of Western Australia, ranked amongst the top universities in the world. Vice Chancellor of SLIIT, Professor Lalith Gamage says this is the first time such an opportunity is being afforded to Sri Lankan students.
“Local students enrolling at our international campus will register as full-time undergraduates of Curtin, with access to all the facilities offered by the university in Australia and other parts of the world. Students graduating from the SLIIT International Campus would receive a full Curtin degree directly awarded by the university and counted as such anywhere in the world, for a fraction of what it would cost if they were to study at Curtin University, Australia.”
The VC says while SLIIT already had an agreement with Curtin to offer degrees to local students; they did not have all the benefits offered by the university.
Expert educator and academic, Dr Athula Pitigala-Arachchi, recently appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor International of SLIIT, will take charge of the new campus. “Curtin is the first to support us in internationalising our higher education programmes. The timing is right and our strategy is in line with the government’s vision of making Sri Lanka a knowledge hub.”
“Curtin, who is ranked amongst the top 1% universities in the world, offering full degree programmes in Computing and Engineering in Colombo, is an excellent opportunity for our students.”
Students, who will enroll for Curtin University degrees at the SLIIT International Colombo Campus, will have the option of transferring to a Curtin campus in Australia, if they desire, as soon as the situation improves and travel becomes feasible.
While studying for part of the degree in Colombo and transferring to complete and graduating from a Curtin university in Australia might be an attractive proposition.
“I believe internationalisation of higher education will get us back on track.
It will open doors to interact with global education providers: undertake joint research, develop and deliver joint academic programmes, facilitate student and staff exchanges, as well as attract FDIs,” says Dr Pitigala Arachchi.
SLIIT is of the view that their International Campus is the first step in helping Sri Lanka leapfrog to the next level, to get on par with the rest of the world.
