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Thursday, 27 November 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Previously the students who were successful in this diploma had to travel to the UK in order to complete their BSc (Hons) degree in biomedical science at Northumbria. Strengthening the BMS attempt to develop the profession of biomedical scientists in Sri Lanka, from next year, science students can now complete their final here without going to UK.
At the opening ceremony, President BMS W.A. Wijewardena said that they had to reduce the number of students for a batch to 40, after considering the limited laboratory facilities available at BMS. “We are unable to cater to the demand, so we aim to select the best students in the country for the program,” he said.
Opening of new building
He added that based on the success of BMS in assuring the necessary quality standards in offering the diploma program, Northumbria was pleased to offer the final year in Sri Lanka via BMS at its new School of Science. “BMS will be able to build up the human resource and nations aspirations in the country by 2035.”
The Northumbria University and BMS partnership has so far produced over 1,200 graduates in business and management. The new development provides an opportunity in the same field to science stream who are not qualified to enter state can now earn membership of the UK-based Institute of Biomedical Science.
Prof. Hirimburegama asserted that science-based fields and its skills can make positive change in society, in discipline and in professional fields.
She said: “We believe that knowledge is the backbone of the country and research is the component of young achievements, so we need to increase the percentage of State expenditure on tertiary education in Sri Lanka.”
She emphasised that to become the knowledge hub in Asia, the country must expand affordability and access to the higher education.
She added: “I’m very glad about higher standard education efforts. From the UGC side, we will grant our endorsement for higher education efforts.”
Several faculty members of BMS have completed research studies and had research publications apart from their regular attendance in international conferences in Business and Science. BMS takes pride in embarking on research to contribute to the community and the world at large.
The Guest of Honour of the event, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe said the BMS School of Science would be helpful for graduates seeking the best path to become a scientist. “This is a good opportunity for the young generation,” he added.
The school has been so far passed graduates in various business areas and new biomedical degree including food science; pharmaceutical will offer an opportunity for the talented students to become biomedical scientists in Sri Lanka with earning standards.
Based on its success in offering the HND in Biomedical Science for nine consecutive batches, BMS has now also entered another rare field of study in science stream, namely, HND in Biotechnology. The first batch of students were admitted in 2014 and these students too have the facility to travel to the UK and complete an Honours Degree in Biotechnology at the Northumbria University having joined the final year of its degree program in the subject.
In line with the Government’s objective of developing a vibrant pharmaceutical industry in Sri Lanka, BMS has been proactive in training and developing the needed biomedical scientists to the industry in this manner.
Business Management School or BMS is a leading higher educational institution that offers diploma, undergraduate and graduate level programs in Management and Science areas in affiliation with three reputed British universities, namely, the University of Leicester, Northumbria University and Edinburgh Napier University.
Pix by Upul Abayasekara
