First British Postgraduate convocation in Sri Lanka

The sixteenth of February 2003 turned a new page in the story of IT higher education in Sri Lanka. For the first time ever, Postgraduate Convocation of a British University was held in Sri Lanka and the first batch of 35 students who followed the first and only British M.Sc. in IT in Sri Lanka graduated after an exceptional performance.

The MSc convocation of Keele University was held at the BMICH and Keele University's Director of Academic Affairs, Dr. Chris Burdon presented the awards. Keele University is UK's largest University and Keele University joined up with Post Graduate Centre of Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) to create this historic moment.

The 35 Sri Lankan graduates who followed the Keele University's MSc in Information Technology programme at IIT in Sri Lanka, performed exceptionally well by six students obtaining distinction passes.

The MSc in IT from Keele university stands out for two unique reasons.

Usually when someone wants a foreign postgraduate qualification, he or she leaves his/her family, career and country behind to proceed to a foreign country. This is quite a sacrifice to a mature student in terms of career and personal life.

In 2000, IIT changed all that. IIT linked up with Keele University UK to enable Sri Lankan students to follow the "exact same Keele University MSc", right here in Sri Lanka, on a part-time basis. In other words, students "Go to work in the morning, "Come in the evening to follow MSc classes", "Go home for dinner" and "get a British Postgraduate Qualification in the end". Also, this is done at a fraction of the cost that he or she would have to pay in UK.

The MSc is also well known for another unique feature. It is no secret that due to very high competition, less than 2% of the students who sit for the local A. Level examination get selected to state universities. As a result, today there are a number of highly capable professionals who are not graduates but have proven themselves at the highest level in the industry. These are the ones who have "missed the bus".

The MSc offers them another opportunity to "catch the bus" again and fulfill one of their most intimate and long desired wishes. Reputed industry professionals with significance experience may enter the programme and graduate with a MSc, even if they don't have a basic degree.

IIT is Sri Lanka's oldest and the most prestigious private academy for higher education and currently the Post Graduate Centre has three batches of students studying for their M.Sc. Intake 4 is scheduled to start late February 2003. IIT (formerly known as Informatics Institute of Computer Studies - IICS) was established in 1990 by Informatics (Private) Limited in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University of UK to conduct the BSc. Hons. Degree in Information Systems and Computing.

Established in 1983, Informatics is a leading systems integrator and 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. .