Scottish Qualifications Authority to showcase range of qualifications in Colombo today

On Monday 31 August, the Scottish Qualifications Authority will showcase its wide range of qualifications and the benefits they bring to students in Sri Lanka, at an event, to school and government officials in Colombo. 

The Scottish Qualifications Authority, a government-sponsored awarding body based in the UK, with centres around the world, has a growing number of approved education providers (centres) in Sri Lanka, able to offer their two-year Higher National Diplomas, covering subjects from Business, to Computer Science, to Business with IT.

SQA Higher National Diplomas, equivalent to two years of university study, can prepare students for advanced entry into many undergraduate degree programs in universities and higher education institutions across the world. In addition, the Scottish Qualifications Authority is delivering its Customised Awards in Software Engineering, giving students in Sri Lanka the opportunity to articulate onto a degree program in a number of UK universities.

School principals and government officials who attend the event will hear from Chandima de Silva, Academic Dean of Saegis Campus, a SQA approved centre that offers SQA HNDs in Business and Computer Science. They will also hear from Masha Shuaib a second year student at Saegis who is studying for a SQA HND in Business, who will speak about her experiences of studying for the qualification and the knowledge and skills she has enjoyed developing.

de Silva will describe the value of offering internationally recognised SQA HNDs and how suitable they are for preparing their students for progression into further study and employment.

Ahead of the event in Colombo, Shuaib said: “I chose to study the SQA HND in Business at Saegis because of the experience of the staff there and the quality and reputation of the qualification. I’m certain the experience I’ve gained studying for the HND will help me gain a place in a degree program.”

de Silva said, “I believe education is key to bringing benefits to every society. At Saegis we are delighted to be working with the Scottish Qualifications Authority to deliver their Higher National Diplomas, to the benefit of our students.”

Prior to the event, Alastair Shaw, Head of International at the Scottish Qualifications Authority said, “Like everyone at SQA, I am honoured that education institutions in Sri Lanka have chosen our Higher National qualifications as the route to help their students achieve their ambitions.

“At SQA, we believe that partnership is essential in the education and training sectors and we are committed to working together with our centres for the benefit of students by providing them with high quality, internationally recognised qualifications, which will enhance their futures.”

Shaw continued, “Our Higher National Diploma, celebrating its 90th year, has been the foundation upon which generations of successful careers have been built, providing students with the skills and experience they need to excel in the workplace.

“Increasingly our HNDs allow graduates to progress onto top-up degrees at a host of prestigious universities around the world. To make the progression as smooth as possible for them, SQA has partnered with a number of highly regarded international institutions who will consider applications from SQA HND graduates.

“I am proud of our work in Sri Lanka and look forward to continuing to build on it, helping more students to achieve this highly valued, internationally renowned qualification, by working in partnership with our approved centres. I wish all students currently taking a SQA HND in Sri Lanka the best of luck with their studies and all good wishes for their future careers.”

The Scottish Qualifications Authority is an international leader in education and training.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority is the national awarding body in Scotland – a not for profit government sponsored agency accountable to the Scottish Government – sitting at the heart of Scotland’s world-renowned education system. 

It currently offers Higher National Diplomas (HND), jointly certificated customised and vocational qualifications in more than 20 countries worldwide. It has a growing number of approved centres in Sri Lanka delivering SQA HNDs in subjects from Business to Computer Science to Business with Accounting. SQA also has students in Sri Lanka doing a Customised Award in Software Engineering.

2015 is the 90th anniversary of Scotland’s Higher National Qualifications. In 1925, 24 engineers and chemists attained the first Higher National qualifications in Scotland. The Scottish Qualifications Authority’s role has been pivotal in the development and uptake growth of these short cycle higher education qualifications. Delivered across the world it enables advanced degree program entry and prepares work ready graduates. 

The Scottish Qualifications Authority helps people to realise their potential and to achieve their ambitions by providing a wide range of high quality, internationally recognised qualifications and associated services.

It has 100 years experience in developing qualifications and qualification systems and over 20 years experience of working internationally in partnership with governments, colleges, universities, schools and industry. It has a growing number of international centres, with the HNDs delivered in countries such as America, Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, Oman, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates.