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APIIT introduces pathway for Lankan students’ entry to second year degree course in UK
By Steve Morrell
The Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) recently introduced a pathway programme that ensures Lankan students entry to the second year degree course in a partner university of the NCUK (Northern Consortium of United Kingdom) – a degree awarding body which delivers a range of qualifications that prepare international students for higher education.
Addressing a press conference held at the BMICH in Colombo to introduce the new programme, APIITSri Lanka Chairman Bandula Egodage said that there was an urgent need to broaden the horizons of the education landscape in Sri Lanka. “This is the first time in Sri Lankan higher education sector the pathway programme has been made available to the Lankan students. Globally known as NCUK International Year One (IYOne), the progamme prepares and qualifies international students for entry to the second year of undergraduate degree programmes offered by an NCUK partner University of their choice,” Egodage said.This initiative also reaffirms NCUK’s strong partnership with APIIT Sri Lanka, he said.
NCUK IYOne is designed for students who are planning to continue their studies overseas after the completion of the first year of their undergraduate studies in Sri Lanka. Upon the completion of the NCUK IYOne pathway programme, students will be eligible for the second year of, not only one, but numerous undergraduate degree programmes offered by UK universities.
Director APIIT Sri Lanka Roshan Egodage said that currently, APIIT offers NCUK IYOne in both Law and Business. On completion of the NCUK International Year One in Law, students are able to transfer to multiple universities in the UK including, Aston University, University of Bradford, University of Huddersfield, Leeds Beckett University, and University of Sheffield. For students who complete the NCUK International Year One in Business, a number of leading universities in the UK, Canada and Australia are available for progression.
Established in 1999, APIIT Sri Lanka is well known for its contribution to the higher education industry in Sri Lanka. APIIT conducts undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in Business, Computing, and Law, awarded by Staffordshire University, UK. With a current student population of over 2,000 undergraduates and a current annual intake of around 1000 students, APIIT Sri Lanka is the largest provider of British degree programmes in Sri Lanka, and has set a benchmark for quality and standards in private higher education in Sri Lanka.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
