SLIIT welcomes students for new academic year

Tuesday, 3 December 2013 00:11 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SLIIT, the leading degree awarding institute in the fields of IT, Business and Engineering, welcomes yet another batch of ambitious and motivated students. This year over 1,100 students commenced classes on 18 November and have received the opportunity to be a part of one of Sri Lanka’s finest higher education institutes.

SLIIT which was established in 1999 at the BoC Merchant tower, had its first intake with just 400 students. However, today SLIIT has over 6,000 students making it a university with a difference. Over the years, SLIIT has tied up with foreign universities, established centres, expanded the range of academic programs and today according to a survey carried out by the prestigious LMD magazine it is ranked first among the higher educational institutes in Sri Lanka. SLIIT offers a variety of undergraduate and master’s degree programs accredited and recognised by the University Grants Commission. SLIIT is the only degree awarding institute in Sri Lanka, included in the Association of Commonwealth Universities, an association of over 2,700 universities and institutions of higher learning encompassing the entire commonwealth. SLIIT is also a member of the International Association of Universities. Teaching and learning process The teaching and learning process at SLIIT is of high credibility since the institution maintains the best international and professional academic standards. Students are provided with topical knowledge, continuous assessments and relevant skills to prepare them to face the real world. The students of SLIIT can join student led societies, engage in sporting activities, participate in student fairs, talent shows and enjoy the fully air-conditioned cafeterias, gymnasium, study rooms, lounges and environment friendly campuses. All this combines to make SLIIT the ideal institute for students to complete their degree and have a memorable university education. “In addition to providing a wide range of academic programs, we promote our students to participate in competitions, such as the CodeFest, RoboFest, Software competitions, symposiums and extracurricular activities such as talent shows, sports days and community projects. This enables our students to gain exposure not only within but also outside the classroom, giving them the opportunity to take up any challenge upon graduating from SLIIT. Our students have won many local and international events, bringing honour to our esteemed institution” notes SLIIT President and CEO Professor Lalith Gamage. Extensive spectrum of B.Sc. Degree programs SLIIT’s new intake this year will benefit through the extensive spectrum of B.Sc. Degree programs. The SLIIT Degree programs offered are; a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Information Technology, BBA. Special Hons degrees in Business Management, B.Sc Eng in Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Materials Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. The minimum criteria for entry are three local or London GCE Advanced Level passes, including a pass at the Aptitude Test conducted by the Institute. SLIIT which has affiliations with many foreign universities has carved out numerous pathways for students to complete their degree at SLIIT or transfer to the respective partner university after two years of study at SLIIT. The partner universities are high in rank, internationally focused and deliver high quality education.

SLIIT’s long term academic partner, Curtin University in Australia, has an agreement with SLIIT which permits students to complete the B.Sc. in Software Engineering, BEng in Mechanical Engineering, Civil and Construction Engineering, Electrical and Power Engineering, Computer Systems Engineering, B.Sc. Degrees in Information Technology, Computer Systems and Networking of the Curtin University curriculum at SLIIT, or they have the option of transferring to Curtin University, Australia once they successfully complete their second year (Diploma Level) at SLIIT. Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) of UK also offers study packages to SLIIT students. The Degree programs available under this partnership are the BBA (Hons) in Business Management and B. Eng (Hons) degree program in Electronic Engineering. Largest base of PhD holding lecturers in the country Commenting on the future of SLIIT Professor Gamage notes, “Looking at our future plans, we want to position ourselves among the top 10 universities in the region. We hope to expand our academic programs within the next eight years to reach over a 10 to 12,000 student population. With the aim of getting into the field of internationalisation, we also hope to get more students from South Asia, the Middle East and Africa.” Welcoming all parents and students present at the inauguration ceremony, SLIIT Chairman Professor S. Karunaratne comments, “I am proud to note that we have the largest base of PhD holding lecturers in the country, and therefore we have a very efficient system of teaching to impart our knowledge to the next generation. In four years our students have the chance to be highly recognised professionals. Hence I ask you to utilise your time in the most productive manner to reap the best of benefits.” With two main campuses situated in Malabe and Kollupitiya, SLIIT has established centres at Matara, Kandy, Jaffna and Kurunegala.