More than 200 transfers to top universities
and over 70 students graduate in Sri Lanka

Seventy one outstanding ANC students received their international degrees from Missouri University of Science and Technology and Northwood University USA, at the annual ANC Awards Night on July 22. There were over 200 transfers to top universities in the US, UK, Australia  and Malaysia. The event was organised on a grand scale at Hilton Colombo followed by a glamorous Fashion Show, Glitterati 2009.

ANC Education Holdings, the No.1 provider of private tertiary education in Sri Lanka, offers both local and international students American, Australian and British undergraduate programmes leading to easier transfers to top universities in the world and international degree completion options in Sri Lanka. ANC is approved by BOI Sri Lanka and maintains high quality university standards in all aspects of education.

Welcoming a large group of delegates from Northwood University, Pattern University, Monash University, Missouri S & T University and NCUK representing over 11 prestigious UK universities, Chairman ANC Education Holdings, Jagath Alwis said, “ANC Education Holdings has set new standards to high quality education in South Asia. ANC will continue to produce high achievers in the US, UK, Australia and Malaysia bringing recognition to Sri Lanka. There is a big demand among Sri Lankan students to study in high quality foreign universities. However, we found that the resources available to get there were not adequate. We have provided the best solution for South Asian students to fill this void through ANC.”

“The knowledge and experience you acquired through your accredited American education is a big opportunity for you all to thrive in world’s No. 1 destination for international students. The American education system and all the opportunities the US has to offer today’s international student will help you to contribute more to the development of Sri Lanka much earlier in your careers,” said President, Pattern University USA, Dr. Gary Moncher presenting the awards to the high achievers of the American University Transfer Programme.

Dean, International Programmes - Northwood University, Dr. Lance Lewis presented High Achievers Awards to the Northwood programme students at ANC.

Deputy Director, Monash College Australia, Kim Styles said that Monash University being one of the top 50 ranked universities in the world believes in quality education. We are happy to see that ANC is keeping up to its standards and producing quality students. We congratulate Monash College students who have done extremely well in the exams.

In her address Director - International Recruitment and Relations, University of Liverpool, Ursula Henry, commended ANC students on their achievements, which presents Sri Lankan students with the opportunity of completing their tertiary education in UK, one of the world’s most prestigious and successful societies.

“By offering such opportunities of higher education abroad, ANC is equipping Sri Lankan students to achieve their potential at UK’s finest universities through Northern Consortium UK. It is through high quality education that you can make your people all they can be,” Ms. Henry added.

Whilst presenting graduation certificates to over 70 graduates, President and CEO, Northwood University, Dr. Keith Pretty said that the graduation ceremony is a reward for the hard work and enthusiasm they have consistently applied to their studies and the passion they have demonstrated in the classroom.

“ANC’s dedication to produce leaders through high quality foreign education at an affordable price has fulfilled dreams of a lot of students and parents today. Stability and long term approach of ANC and the commitment of its students,  faculty, staff and partner universities distinguish us from other education providers. During the seven years that we have worked together, ANC has always made every effort to provide its students with a rigorous, globally recognised education,” said CEO/ Executive Director, ANC Education Holdings Dr. Punarjeewa Karunanayaka in his thanking speech.

Education at ANC doesn’t end with the classroom, a textbook, and an exam. It is alive and vibrant. Showcasing the talents of ANC students, the fashion show took off for the fourth consecutive year after the awards night. The fashion show was another refreshing experience this year serving a worthy cause of supporting the welfare of the armed forces of Sri Lanka. Choreographed by Brian Kerkovan, a renowned name in the fashion industry, Glitterati was a platform to display the creativity, innovation and flair for fashion of ANC students.

No.1 MBA in Sri Lanka from University of Wales - UK 

There are many who claim the No.1 position today. Only one can cross the line first, end of it all. It is up to individuals to chose among those who claim, as to who has actually crossed the line.

Imperial Institute of Higher Education (IIHE) was established back in 1996. IIHE is the only validated centre for University of Wales for the last 14 years in Sri Lanka for Business degrees, Computing degrees and MBAs. University of Wales is the second largest University in UK. The alumnus of IIHE/University of Wales, are holding top postings in local and international organisations.

The MBA offered at IIHE was one the first to be ever offered by a private university education provider in Sri Lanka, making it a pioneer in the industry, thus becoming the most established and experienced.

At IIHE, the prime objective is to provide quality education opportunities to discerning students. IIHE is extremely particular about pre-qualifications and the maturity levels of prospective students. Hence during the application process, an assessment is carried out by means of an interview. There are no exemptions offered for other qualifications (other than equivalent Post Graduate qualifications) when compared to most other private institutes. Thereby ensuring that all students are on one parallel. After all, it is a Masters’ programme and not just another paper qualification.

Students are expected to commit themselves. This ensures that they appreciate what they achieve at the end of the programme.

Best in class panel of lecturers

All lecturers are with minimum Masters’ qualifications. They are also extensively experienced in their respective industries. This brings a wide range of expertise, exposure and a pragmatic overview to the class rather than making the lectures totally theory oriented. Apart from this, all lecturers are appointed and assessed by University of Wales and not arbitrarily posted. This makes the IIHE panel not only superior to that of many but makes them unique.

Transparent fee schedule

Any student, at point of inquiry receives a fee schedule, which indicates each and every expense which they will need to spend at IIHE. There are no hidden charges or unnecessary expenses charged, once a student registers. Once a student registers, he/she will not be subjected to any fee revisions, enabling the student to plan out their finances from beginning to end of the programme.

Although there is a notion that this MBA demands premium prices, this is not the case.

This MBA probably might be the only one offering a dissertation. A dissertation is what transforms an ordinary manager to a ‘top achiever’. The dissertation allows a manager to transform his/her decision making to more objective oriented, rather than ‘gut-feel’ or ‘guesses’.

This MBA is completely validated and awarded by University of Wales. This is not a ‘franchise’ or a ‘distance learning’ programme. The education and certificate is identical to that of a student studying in Wales itself.

Greenwich College ties up with JobsNet 

When one wants to find a job the name JobsNet comes to mind at once because it has established itself as the most reliable job bank in the country today. It has expanded to every corner of the island with a vast collection of employers and jobseekers.

JobsNet makes every endeavour to be fair in the whole process. In this onerous task they face many difficulties when selecting the most suitable person for a job, because in Sri Lanka due to many reasons ones qualifications do not successfully tally with the requirements employers are looking for.

This situation can be attributed to our educational system or our attitude in society. Whatever the reason the ultimate result affects employers, while jobseekers end up disappointed and in the mean time JobsNet has to face many difficulties.

Greenwich College has understood this critical situation. They have understood precisely what the problem is. Greenwich is dealing with this reality. That is why they are emphasizing the concept “Not a course to a field but a course and training needed by the field.”

In the current scenario, people who possess not only the required education but also skills invariably cannot find proper employment as they don’t know how to implement their knowledge to the work at hand.

By analysing all these problems, Greenwich College and Sri Lanka JobsNet have come up with a project to enhance the career skills of the unemployed. In this project the candidate has to go through four months of class room training and two months on the job training. In this special programme Greenwich College has agreed to provide the class room training required for the candidates.

Greenwich College was opened only recently and within this short spam of time has achieved many a milestone. For example, the college launched an English online programme called DynEd, which is an American based programme. The vision of the college is “Taking the nation into the global economy through providing highly standard IT and English language education in Sri Lanka.”

Get a head start in Engineering with just O/Ls 

The BCAS campus offers a solid foundation programme in engineering known as International Engineering Foundation Programme (IEF) to enable students who do not have the required qualifications to gain entrance to engineering programmes in the UK.

The IEF is ideal for students after O/L  to pursue a career in the field of Telecommunication or Quantity Surveying. The course syllabus has extensive coverage on Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Science,  Software Application, Communication Techniques, Fundamentals of Measurements, Civil Engineering Construction, Engineering Physics  and it’s delivered through a balance mixture of academic study and practical course works and projects.

Successful completion of the International Engineering Foundation Studies will guarantee progression on to BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying or B.Eng(Hons) / M.Eng (Hons) studies in Telecommunications, Civil, Mechanical or any related engineering studies.

Following progression is available at BCAS Campus in Sri Lanka.

1.  Quantity Surveying

2.   Telecommunication Engineering

During the 10 years of  steadfast presence in the field of higher education more than 1200 students have found placements in overseas universities on receiving training from the British College of Applied Studies and now BCAS is able to provide a good part of the  degree education right here in Sri Lanka .

BCAS courses in partnership with Edexcel UK are entry points to lucrative jobs in the world. BCAS offers BTEC HND leading to BSc (Hons), BA (Hons) and BEng (Hons) degree from an international reputed university in the fields of Computing, Business Information Technology, Software Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Business Management, Telecommunication,  Law and Hospitality Management.

Telecommunication Engineering will give you mind-boggling potential and will have fascinating subjects as analytical methods for engineers, data communications and networks, telecommunications, digital networks, radio communication engineering, optical fiber communication systems, mobile communication systems, broadband technology etc. covered in four semesters that you could complete at BCAS School of Engineering for less than three and half lakhs. A special offer of Rs.60,000 is being given as discount for 30 students who enroll in the BTEC HND in Telecommunication Engineering.

When a student completes a semester in areas mentioned in four semesters or 16 to 18 months at British College of Applied Studies, the students become entitled to BTEC HND qualification awarded by Edexcel UK. This crucial qualification that’s accepted readily for the final year entry in BSc, BA or BEng in 105 universities in UK, USA and Australia is an amazing chance for those with only the O/L qualification to earn an internationally recognised degree in so short a time — just two and a half years with affordable costs with a guaranteed admission for higher education in these countries.

Over 250,000 are expected to benefit from the newest initiative of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). In a novel initiative CIMA has arranged a series of TV programmes in Sinhala and Tamil on Advanced Level Examination Techniques which will be telecast on Sirasa and Shakthi TV.

It is well accepted that the Advanced Level is now the basic qualification and one of the most competitive examinations that Sri Lankan students have to cope with. Although parents  and teachers make every endeavour to ensure that the students turn in a top performance  many students with a wealth of knowledge on the subject fail to score crucial marks as they do not understand the exact requirements of the examiners.

Presentation techniques, the do’s  and don’ts and valuable insights on the examiners’ requirements will be the topics discussed by a panel featuring senior lecturers from the universities in Sri Lanka.

Speaking on the initiative Regional Director, CIMA, Bradley Emerson said “We as a global professional education body need to understand and support the national education development efforts.  CIMA is happy to have had  the opportunity to serve the future leaders of the country and most grateful to the panel of lectures who took time off very busy schedules to be part of the programme and to Sirasa and Shakthi TV.”

The Sinhala programmes will be telecast on Sirasa from 6.00 - 6.30 pm starting July 15 with repeat telecast the next morning at 5.30 am whilst the Tamil programmes will be telecast on Shakthi TV from July 20.

CIMA Global Business Challenge  

CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants - Sri Lanka Division) has announced that ‘Team Paradigm’ which represented the University of Moratuwa won the Sri Lanka national round of the Institute’s Global Business Challenge, which took place on July 18.

Team Paradigm comprising Channa Gunasekera, Dulini Mudunkotuwa, Harinda Gunatilake and Thusitha Chandrapala are now set to compete on a global stage for the final round of the CIMA Global Business Challenge, where they will face stiff competition from the winning national teams representing the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, India, Mainland China, Malaysia and Singapore. Team Paradigm will be flown to Singapore for the final round scheduled to take place on August 21 at the National University of Singapore.

The Chief Guest at the function, Vice Chancellor, University Grants Commission, Prof. M. T.M. Jiffry, said “I am happy to extend our support from the University Grants Commission for your efforts taken in the arena of human resource development and I express my gratitude for taking this initiative along with the universities and creating opportunities for human resource development in this country.”

Regional Director - South Asia and Middle East, CIMA, Bradley Emerson added:

“CIMA Sri Lanka Division is extremely pleased of Team Paradigm’s achievement in winning the national round of The CIMA Global Business Challenge. I congratulate the other participants on their performances which were considered high quality by the judges.  I would like to thank our distinguished panel of judges who undertook the difficult task of selecting the winners.

“This international competition has been set up to bring out the best in the potential business leaders of tomorrow and I wish  Team Paradigm the very best of luck in the final round.”

The eminent panel of judges of this competition comprises Ravi Abeysuriya (chairperson) Head - Strategic Business Development / Shared Services Hayleys PLC/Director - Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, Nilanthi Sivapragasam — Chief Financial Officer Aitken Spence Group Ltd, Gajendra Liyanarachchi — CEO, Virtual Business School, Senaka Kekiriwaragoda — Manager - Corporate Advisory, NDB Investment Bank and Sriyani Ranatunge – Assistant Vice President, DFCC Bank.

Top hospitality Diploma

The official launch of the world recognised Tourism, Travel & Flight Services course jointly conducted by the American College of Higher Education and the Prestigious Seneca College of Canada took place recently. High Commissioner for Canada, Angela Bogdan  was the chief guest on the occasion.

The American College of Higher Education will conduct the first two and a half semesters of 10 months in Sri Lanka and students will then transfer to Seneca College in Toronto, Canada for a further one year covering a study period of eight months to complete the Diploma.

High Commissioner Angela Bogdan, who her self is a proud alumna of Seneca College, stressed the importance of this programme for the youth of Sri Lanka, with the host of  job opportunities available world wide. With the tourism, travel and airline trade expected to “boom” in the new environment of stability, she highlighted the important contribution that could be made by the 40 students of the first batch now in training and expressed her happiness that this unique transfer programme has been introduced to this country by the American College of Higher Education.

High Commissioner Bogdan presented a special memento to each of the students to mark this significant occasion, watched by their parents and a distinguished gathering. The second intake of students for this unique programme is scheduled for September 2009.

CEO, American College of Higher Education, Sherryn Yaseen Mangalagama in her welcome speech stressed on the unique aspects of this programme where one Diploma confers a multitude of qualifications for various employment opportunities in the tourism, travel and airline trade across the globe.

Vice President, Seneca College Canada, Dr. Mohammed Ali Khan sent a very special message of congratulations which was delivered by Programme Manager – Seneca Programme of ACHE, Rohana Nanayakkara.

A helping hand from D.S. Senanayake College

D.S. Senanayake College Colombo 7 leading by example has stretched out their hands to help a needy school in Kuda Gampaha village in Tissamaharama by constructing a building for the primary section of the school. The children of Kuda Gampaha  Primary Section who were studying in thatched roof huts since inception of the school finally saw the light of day on June 25 with the opening of the new building by Chandra Rajapakse, wife of Ports, Aviation and Irrigation Minister, Chamal Rajapakse.

The building which was constructed at a cost of Rs.2.2 mn was funded by the School Development Society and the Old Boys Association of D.S. Senanayake College.

Kuda Gampaha is a small village in the jungle, a distance of 14 km from Tissamaharama town where people live on paddy cultivation and chena cultivation, on water received from Lunugam Vehera reservoir. The children had to face immense difficulties without proper classrooms on rainy days. The principal and the parents have made many requests to the education authorities in the district, but the authorities have been unable to allocate funds for the construction of a building.

On hearing the news of the state of this school the principal of D.S. Senanayake College, Dr. Asoka Senanai Hewage drew plans to help in the construction of a building for Kuda Gampaha Primary School. Dr. A.S. Hewage was instrumental in carrying out the construction work on this building with funds donated by the School Development Society and Old Boys Association of D.S. Senanayake College. The villagers participated in providing labour for the construction work. There was no objection from the parents nor from other associations in the school for allocating funds to help the needy school, says Dr. A.S. Hewage.

The villagers and the parents of the children gave a warm welcome to the Chief Guest Chandra Rajapakse, Principal of D.S. Senanayake College, Dr. Asoka Senani Hewage, and others who were present for the ceremony. Many parents commented that it was a noble task undertaken by Dr. A.S. Hewage, whose initiative was positively responded to by the parents and other associations at D.S. Senanayake College.

Study in UK but pay less

The days when a UK education cost a fortune are gone. New Immigration Rules have paved the way for even ordinary people to receive a quality education in the UK at an affordable price. Prior to the introduction of the Tier 4 system by the Home Office, there was confusion among students as to whether the college they choose is recognised or not.

Under the Tier 4 system, this problem has been solved. Now, UK Border Agency (UKBA) provides a list of recognised colleges.  The colleges are further classified into A-rated and B-rated colleges.

Paranan Associates (Private) Ltd, the official representative of Ethames Graduate School London, Grafton College of Management Sciences and Anglian College London paves the way for students who have financial constraints to still pursue their higher studies in the UK. They give the best offer to students to get admission to A-rated colleges in UK with lower fees.

The sponsor was the major problem prior to the introduction of Tier 4 rules. However, under the new Tier 4 rules, it is the wise choice of students which decides whether the students get a visa or not.  A student who chooses an A-rated college for his higher education automatically receives 30 points under the new point based system. If he satisfies the entry clearance officer on his maintenance fund he will receive another 10 points. If a student receives 40 points under the Tier 4 rules points based system, he will obtain a student visa to the UK.

Hospitality management leading to a Degree  

Select from the range of options for your hospitality and tourism management education exclusively at PATHE Academy. Start your education in hospitality management or tourism management in Sri Lanka at PATHE Academy.  The Academy offers a range of options to plan and succeed in the thriving hospitality industry at a low cost.

Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses are conducted in Sri Lanka which are awarded by the Confederation of Tourism & Hospitality. This is equal to the first and second year of the degree programme.

Confederation of Tourism & Hospitality (CTH)

Gold Standard training is offered for the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

CTH founded in 1982, is the only established specialist professional body in the United Kingdom to provide recognised standards of management and vocational syllabi, examinations and awards for the hotel and travel industries. CTH is an awarding body approved by Ofqual, DCELLS and CCEA who are the official regulators of qualifications, examinations and tests in the United Kingdom.

CTH graduates at PATHE Academy will be provided guaranteed admission to West London College, UK, or Griffith University, Australia for the second or third year based on the credit points.

Bournemouth’s top-up course is designed specifically for students joining the final year of the degree and this course can also be studied at West London College.

CIM graduation and membership investiture

The most significant event in the academic calendar of The Chartered Institute of Marketing - Sri Lanka Region,  the Graduation Ceremony and Membership Investiture – was held on July 16 at the Main Conference Hall, BMICH. Professor Caroline Tynan, Dean of the Academic Senate of The Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK was the chief guest at the ceremony and Tine Staermose, Director, International Labour Organisation was the keynote speaker. Honorary President, CIM Sri Lanka Region, Amal Cabraal; Chairman,  Shiraz Latiff and the Regional Board and Management Committee members were also present on this occasion.

This year, 203 diplomates who had completed the CIM Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing in the June and December 2008 examinations, joined the marketing fraternity as qualified professionals, including two graduates from The Maldives. A total of 28 students who had excelled at the June and December 2008 examinations, including three world prize winners, were also recognised for their special achievements.

The World Prizewinners are Ms. H.W.N Dushanthi Perera and Ms. W.L. Thanuja Attanayake for Stakeholder Marketing at Professional Certificate in Marketing (New Syllabus); and Ms. Dinali Niyoma Ruwanpathirana for Marketing Environment at Professional Certificate in Marketing (Old Syllabus) at the December 2008 examination. Ms. Natasha Therumee Lakmanaratchi won the “Best Stage” award for the December 2008 examination and Ms. Dilakshi K.B. Lansakara who won the Special Awards for Marketing Fundamentals and Marketing in Practice also won “Best Stage” for June 2008 examination.

107 passed finalists who had completed the CPD programme were invested with Membership status of the institute. Seven senior members, namely, Suren Abeywickrema, Chief Marketing Officer, Serendib Flour Mills (Pvt) Ltd; Dusty Alahakoon, Head of Marketing, Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka;  Mukthar Marikkar, Chairman, Frostaire Group of Companies and Frosty Group of Companies; Rienzie B Martinesz, Head of Marketing, HSBC; Mohan Perera, Chief Executive Officer, Laugfs Gas (Pvt) Ltd; Suren Rajanathan, General Manager, 3M Sri Lanka and Trustee of the CIM International Broad of Trustees and Emil Senanayake, Marketing Director, Richard Pieris Group of Companies were conferred with Fellowship status in recognition of their contribution towards excellence in the profession.