Nawaloka College of Higher Studies celebrates decade of empowering students

Wednesday, 20 November 2024 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

From left: NCHS Dean of Studies Dr. Alan Robertson, Chairman

Dr. Jayantha Dharmadasa, Deputy Chairman and CEO Victor Ramanan

Nawaloka College of Higher Studies (NCHS) is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a leading higher education provider for Sri Lankan students to pursue world-class degrees.

Part of the legacy of Nawaloka Holdings, established in 1945, NCHS was launched with a mission to close the educational gap and provide high-quality academic pathways close to home.

In 2014, Nawaloka expanded from healthcare into education, creating NCHS to support the growing demand for quality academic options within Sri Lanka. Chairman Dr. Jayantha Dharmadasa reflected, “Healthcare and education go hand in hand. Nawaloka College was born from the need to provide students with affordable, quality education without leaving the country. Many students don’t have the financial means to study abroad, and we believe in offering them a world of possibilities right here in Sri Lanka.”

Since then, hundreds of students annually have started their educational journeys at NCHS, transferring to prestigious universities in Australia, Malaysia, Canada, the USA, and the UK to complete their degrees.

With limited placements in Sri Lanka’s Government universities, tens of thousands of talented A-level students find themselves searching for alternate options every year. Responding to this need, NCHS built partnerships with global institutions, starting with Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, and growing into collaborations worldwide.

Deputy Chairman and CEO Victor Ramanan said: “We want to make quality education affordable and accessible for everyone. Through this mission, NCHS has become a gateway for students eager to study fields like engineering, management, IT, and health sciences either in Sri Lanka or overseas.”

In just 10 years, NCHS has formed educational partnerships with institutions in Australia, UK, Malaysia, Canada, and the United States. The preliminary collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology remains particularly strong, standing out as one of the longest-running transnational partnerships at the university level in 2024.

The American education sector, known for its dynamic economy and attractive post-graduate work opportunities, has also gained popularity among Sri Lankan students. NCHS has expanded its US partnerships, especially in California and across states like Virginia and New York, opening doors to various academic programmes and generous scholarships. What sets NCHS apart isn’t only its academic programs, but the complete support system provided to students, especially during the visa application process. “Many of our students dream of studying abroad, and we’re here to make that journey smoother,” Ramanan said. “Our team guides students through every step of visa applications, including interview prep, to boost confidence and reduce refusals.”