CA Sri Lanka to offer UGC approved BSc in applied accounting

Thursday, 28 March 2013 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By David Ebert

Marking yet another milestone in its history, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka ceremoniously launched its first ever degree program in applied accounting in the country at a gala ceremony, with Minister of higher education S.B. Dissanayake in attendance.

The new degree could be considered a significant landmark in the country’s tertiary education sector and will aspire to bridge the growing gap in the dearth of university level education in the country due to the limited number of intakes for local campuses.

CA Sri Lanka President Sujeewa Rajapakse addressing the gathering stressed that the BSc in Applied Accounting, which has been approved by the University Grants Commission is yet another feat in the institute’s continuing endeavour to provide the country’s youth with the best qualifications in the accounting field.

Rajapakse went on to say that: “In recent times, we have seen thousands of students losing the opportunity to gain entry into universities due to the limited number of intakes, which led to many students spending substantial amounts to follow degrees from foreign universities and in some cases students joined universities of questionable repute.”

Rajapakse emphasised that as a responsible institute and as a leading tertiary education provider, CA Sri Lanka therefore decided to offer the BSc degree in applied accounting for the benefit of the future generations in order to bridge the gap in recognised higher education opportunities here in Sri Lanka.

He went on to reiterate that CA Sri Lanka in its capacity as the national body of accountants in the country, would continue with its steadfast support of the government’s vision in empowering youth with the necessary skills in order to create a professional and skilled workforce.

“I think this degree program will play a tremendous role in helping out nation achieve the objectives of a skilled workforce before long, so we can realise our country’s development driven ambitions,” Rajapakse added.

The in augural degree program will commence in June this year and will be conducted by the institute’s fully fledged School of Accounting and Business.

CA Sri Lanka CEO, Aruna Alwis noted that throughout the institute’s five decade long existence, CA Sri Lanka has constantly assured quality education that is accessible to all in accordance to social needs and individual aspirations.

“Therefore, as a step forward and to meet the continuous market demands, the institute is introducing the BSc in applied accounting general/special degree program to fulfil the increasing demands in the field of accounting. The main objective of this degree program is to create employable graduates with the required practical knowledge, skills and attitudes,” Alwis added.

CA Sri Lanka is one of the largest tertiary education providers in Sri Lanka outside the university system, with a massive student population of over 41,000 students studying the institute’s globally recognised professional qualification in chartered accountancy.