Informatics institute of computer studies holds 10th convocation

The Informatics Institute of Computer Studies (IICS) marked the 13 th year of its contribution to tertiary education in Sri Lanka with the graduation of the tenth cohort of students at the annual convocation held recently at the BMICH. The chief guest on this occasion was Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala, former United Nations under Secretary for Disarmament and former Sri Lankan Ambassador for Washinton. The convocation was declared open by Prof. Barry Plumb, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Academic Director of Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) of UK and he announced the Conferment of Degrees.

Well over 200 students were awarded the BSc Hons. Degree in Information Systems/Computing and BSc Hons. Degree in Business from the MMU with most of them qualifying for Honours.

This event provided culmination of the academic achievements of the highest order that had been nurtured for quality throughout the past thirteen years by the unique collaboration of MMU, the largest non-federal university in the UK and its counterpart IICS.

"The University is pleased to recognise the major contribution made by Mr. Gamini Wickramasinghe, the Managing Director of the board of IICS. Through his wise, generous and visionary leadership, the Institute has developed so as to provide the education and qualifications so important to the development of the economy and national success of Sri Lanka in the increasingly global market in which business and industry now operate" said Prof. Plumb in his address.

Prof. Barry Plumb announced that the agreements are finalised to offer the degree courses from the University of Ulster, UK assuming the role hitherto occupied by MMU. Under the new partnership, further courses will be offered in the future.

The chief guest, Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala said" The pioneering character of the Institute and the strong links maintained with MMU and other foreign centres of excellence have ensured quality control, wide recognition of IICS degrees and the employability of its graduates. The record of IICS shows that it is deeply committed to playing a positive role in national development and in fulfilling the needs of tertiary education in the country."

It is also a noteworthy factor that the IICS alumni now numbering well over 700 have demonstrated their academic excellence by holding key positions in Information Technology and the Business Industry locally and in prestigious jobs overseas. This clearly shows that IICS graduates are not only accepted in Sri Lanka but are equipped to compete in the International Market.

IICS was established in 1990 by Informatics (Private) Limited (IPL) in collaboration with MMU.

Established in 1983, IPL is a leading systems integrator and a software solutions provider in Sri Lanka, as claimed by a Company official. Their strategic business units include Telecom, Insurance, Banking & Finance, Hotel, Government Core Businesses and Retail Industries.