Manchester Metropolitan University confers an Honorary Doctorate on Gamini Wickramasinghe at the 13th Convocation of IIT

The Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) a member of the Informatics Group of Companies, marked the 16 th year of its contribution to tertiary education in Sri Lanka with the graduation of the thirteenth cohort of students at the annual convocation held on 2 nd September 2006 at the BMICH. Prof. Barry Plumb, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Academic Director of Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) of UK presided at the convocation.

Mr. Gamini Wickramasinghe, Managing Director of the Informatics Group of Companies and Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka was conferred an honorary Doctorate in Business Administration by the MMU.

“The University is pleased to recognize the major contribution made by Mr. Gamini Wickramasinghe, the Managing Director of the IIT. 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.

Professor Maureen Neal, Pro Vice Chancellor of MMU said that “this honorary doctorate is the first awarded by MMU outside the United Kingdom and the University's Board of Governors selection of Mr. Wickramasinghe was purely based on his visionary thinking, business leadership initiatives, and contributions made to the economic growth of Sri Lanka”. Mr. Wickramasinghe said that this was a surprise to him and he is most grateful to MMU for this honor, which was bestowed upon him.

Eminent educationist, medical research scientist and humanist, Professor Carlo Fonseka who graced this memorable occasion as the chief guest said that as a private institute providing tertiary education, IIT's efforts should be commended as the State sector is not in a position to absorb all who qualify at the University entrance examination. He requested the current batch of graduates to explore new avenues and contribute in all possible ways with the knowledge they gained at IIT.

111 students were awarded the BSc Hons. Degree in Information Systems/Computing and BSc Hons. Degree in Business Administration 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 sixteen years by the unique collaboration of MMU, the largest non-federal university in the UK and its counterpart IIT.

It is also a noteworthy factor that the IIT alumni now numbering well over 1,150 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 IIT graduates are not only accepted in Sri Lanka but are equipped to compete in the International Market.

IIT has now collaborated with University of Westminster , London to offer five undergraduate courses and one Masters Degree course, which are to be commenced in September/October. They also hope to introduce a Phd programme by the end of this year. The IIT also has tied up with Keele University of UK and offers Dual Honours BSc. and MSc. degree courses in IT.

Established in 1983, Informatics (Private) Limited is a leading systems integrator providing quality and innovative IT solutions to customers both locally and internationally. Their strategic business units include Telecom, Insurance, Banking & Finance, Hotel, Government Core Businesses and Retail Industries.