SLIIT offers new MBA in partnership with Canada’s Carlton University

SLIIT Vice Chancellor Prof. Lalith Gamage addresses the launch along with Carleton University, Canada Associate Dean Prof. Michal Rod (third from left). Others from left: Dean, SLIIT Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Prof. Rahula Attalage, Dean, SLIIT Business School Prof. Samantha Thelijagoda, SLIIT Chancellor Prof. L.L. Ratnayake and Head - Department of Information Management/MBA Coordinator Kingsley T Bernard - Pic by Gitika Talukdar

• Affordable program targeted at mid-career professionals 
• Course to focus on latest technology challenges and international best practices
• First intake in July 2018, one-week study tour to Canada    

   By Maleesha Sulthanagoda 

Aiming to give executives an edge in an increasingly competitive business market, the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) recently unveiled their Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with the advantage of learning from a premier Canadian university. 

The MBA program, which has been approved by the Higher Education Ministry, targets mid-career professionals who have completed their Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and are full-time workers. The course offers lectures at both the SLIIT Metropolitan Campus as well as the SLIIT Malabe Campus.

The new program will aim to provide executives and aspiring managers in the public and private sectors with innovative strategies, contemporary approaches and necessary knowledge for the improvement of their organisations, said top officials at the event which was held on Thursday. 

“The course content has been carefully designed to meet current industry needs with the help and input of industry experts and professionals who will continuously work with SLIIT after the launch as well,” stated Prof. Samantha Thelijjagoda, Dean of the SLIIT Business School.

The MBA course will cost Rs. 750,000 for both years with banks willing to approve loan facilities and group discounts for interested future enrollees.

Entry requirements for this MBA is a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a year of post-qualifying experience. The SLIIT Business School also intends to address the lack of dynamic individuals in the emerging market by giving them the latest knowledge from current best practices. This involves course content containing the latest trends in business management and content aimed at constructing future risk aware managers. 

The MBA also adds to its uniqueness with a one-week visit to the Business School of Carlton University of Canada. This will include a workshop on innovative business management models with a field study plus workplace visits and presentations by prominent professors as well as an opportunity for college students to gain international exposure by networking with Canadian business managers. The cost of this endeavour will be partly covered by SLIIT.

Due to the cooperation with Carlton University, the course will also offer frequent guest lectures by world-renowned professors. The two-year program, which will be commencing in July of this year, will offer face-to-face lectures to give personal attention to students with evaluations done through assignments and examinations. All enrollees will be entitled to full access to e-resources such as the Harvard Business Review database as well. “In an increasingly interdependent world, we need responsible managers who can lead change. We are delighted to bring this experience with SLIIT as we combine our two highly recognised institutes.” the Associate Dean of Sprott School of Business of Carlton University, Professor Michel Rod, told the launch.

He also added that the course would be an industry-driven MBA with a content outline to develop professional attitudes and to increase theoretical knowledge while encouraging entrepreneurship.