Business
Edith Cowan University campus set to boost Sri Lanka’s critical workforce
Edith Cowan University (ECU) Australia has opened its doors to over 550 students at the new, highly anticipated, full degree-accrediting campus in Rajagiriya, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
For the first time in Sri Lanka, local and international students can now study Australian university programs in disciplines as diverse as biomedical science, cyber security, design and commerce at a multi-level purpose-designed campus from their first year of study. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steve Chapman said the new campus demonstrates ECU’s ongoing commitment to higher education in the region and the creation of innovative pathways for more students to obtain a world-class Australian degree in their home country.
“We are proud to have created the opportunity for Sri Lankan students to study our degrees in key growth sectors in a world-class learning environment,” Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steve Chapman said.
The innovative vertical campus features state-of-the-art learning and teaching facilities where students can unlock the skills, experience and knowledge they need to gain employment and secure successful careers, anywhere in the world.
Among the highlights are new biomedical laboratories, designed and fitted out to Australian standards. These biomedical science laboratories support a range of disciplines such as Anatomy, Microbiology, Genetics, Physiology and Histopathology. The digital hub is also a unique facility, developed for training in high-end digital marketing, as well as game design.
ECU has also announced the launch of a new engineering degree in 2024, which will give Engineering students access to three large engineering laboratories including an Electronic Laboratory, an Industrial Control Laboratory and a Power Laboratory.
The campus offers a dynamic mix of social spaces, collaborative work areas, and quiet spaces for focussed work. Students will also have full access to Edith Cowan University’s e-library of over 350,000 books and journals. “Located in the centre of Colombo, in the capital of Sri Lanka, this campus will make a vital contribution to education here,” David Matthews said.
“We are proud to have created this innovative partnership with Australian-owned global education provider, Navitas, which has a long and successful history of providing transnational education in partnership with universities around the world,” Professor Chapman said.
Currently, ECU has more than 28,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students at its three campuses in Western Australia, with a large international student cohort from more than 100 different countries. In the 2023 The Good Universities Guide, ECU maintained its long-standing 5-star rating for teaching quality for the sixteenth consecutive year. ECU has a strong focus on industry-relevant courses that are designed in consultation with employers and industry experts. This ensures that graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to succeed. “ECU is also ranked in the top two public universities in Australia for teaching quality and learning resources in the QILT Survey.”
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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