Partnership is key to transforming ICT education in Sri Lanka

Monday, 20 January 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake addresses Microsoft ‘Transforming Education for Digital Age’ Workshop “With changes to be introduced to the local higher education delivery system, particularly in terms of promoting a student-centred learning structure that involves digital technologies as opposed to the current trend of being dependent on text books and learning material, a digital – education partnership can bring about significant results in transforming the ICT education landscape in Sri Lanka,” remarked the Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake who was Chief Guest at an Education Workshop held last week. Microsoft Sri Lanka held the workshop titled ‘Transforming Education for the Digital Age,’ at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Moratuwa who co hosted the event.

The interactive workshop was held with the intention of educating key stakeholders, on the latest solutions in ICT education. Another initiative under Microsoft’s ‘Partners in Learning for Schools’ program, the workshop provided instructional guidance and informed about access tools to acquire ICT industry recognised skills that promote innovative teaching and learning practices. The Partners in Learning for Schools program inspires leaders to develop best practices in increasing the level of innovation in their respective schools/institutions, with a view to creating a collaborative community of like-minded educators which will in turn help to develop better models that would assist students to develop. The program is in line with Microsoft’s overall vision to redefine and nurture the ICT landscape in Sri Lanka. There were several interactive sessions conducted at the workshop, by pioneer IT personalities representing Microsoft Sri Lanka, who covered a range of topics on communication and collaboration in education using advanced programs such as Windows 8; while subjects such as Microsoft Licensing Solutions /IT Academy and Student Certifications, Intellectual property rights, MIS for Education, Education Solutions by Dell, Creating a Knowledge Economy through ICT, App development were covered. Benefits available to students through Microsoft’s DreamSpark and YouthSpark programs were also discussion points. Microsoft Sri Lanka Public Sector Director Sharda Kirinde who shared what Microsoft Sri Lanka had achieved in Sri Lanka since they began operations in 2004, said that the total investment made by the software company, in terms of training teachers and students through various donations and programs was close to Rs. 200 million. “We have been able to reach out to more than 50,000 teachers in terms of giving them free ICT training. We have also trained students in over 400 schools and 15,000 non ICT trained teachers,” he said. The Transforming Education workshop was attended by vice chancellors, senior lecturers of state and private universities and students. Minister S.B. Dissanayake, commending Microsoft Sri Lanka for their role as a key facilitator in community development initiatives on capacity building in the education sphere; said that he welcomed the partnership that existed between higher educational institutes and Microsoft and that the ministry will extend its fullest support for initiatives that are aligned with the Government’s vision to build a knowledge based economy in the country through ICT.

Major General Milinda Pieris, VC Kotelawela Defence University, who also spoke at the event, said that elevating the country’s tertiary education to be on par with the developing world is of paramount importance and in this context, it is important for everyone to be ICT savvy. “A well combined ICT education can achieve success in academic and professional roles more efficiently while contributing to the country’s goal to move forward,” he added.