Choice of 800 courses

20-Apr-2008

Marking yet another landmark in increasing internationalisation of higher education in Sri Lanka, Staffordshire University, a leading university in the UK opened a permanent office in Colombo to promote its academic programmes and enrol students for study at its campuses in the UK.

With a variety of 800 courses, the University has become renowned for its groundbreaking courses and learning opportunities for both local and international students. The highly active student support service makes life of international students not only easy but quite enjoyable too, with their support extending to almost all the requirements of students before, on and after their arrival in the UK.

'Staffordshire University Sri Lanka Office' functions at the Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) City Campus premises at Union Place, Colombo.

The opening ceremony was held recently, where the invitees were from the education and corporate sectors. Staffordshire University was represented by its International Office Director Professor Peter Reynolds and South Asian Partnerships Director Dr. Hamish Main.

This appears to be the first instance that a foreign university has set up an office in Sri Lanka for the sole purpose of promoting its study programmes and facilitating enrolment and transfer of students to study "on home" campus. Staffordshire University has a collaborative partnership with APIIT Sri Lanka and offers several degree programmes in Computing and Business Management through the APIIT City Campus in Colombo.

APIIT- Sri Lanka CEO Dr. Athula Pitigala-Arachchi welcoming the guests elaborated on the longstanding relationship between APIIT and Staffordshire University.

He said that the opening of the Staffordshire University Office strengthens and extends the collaborative partnership between Staffordshire University (SU) and APIIT. He was confident that APIIT will be able to offer more SU degree programmes in Colombo while simultaneously facilitating the transfer of increasing numbers of students to study at SU in UK.

Reynolds speaking on behalf of SU said that the University was pleased to work with APIIT, a reputable higher education institute committed to high standards and quality of education. He thanked APIIT for providing infrastructure facilities and resources to sustain the Sri Lanka operation. He explained that the sole purpose of the Sri Lanka Office would be to provide detailed information to students about the academic programmes available at SU campuses in the UK so that the students can make informed choices about higher studies and future careers. The office will also counsel prospective students on admission requirements, visa processing, accommodation in the UK and financial matters.

SU was established in the early 1990s and has evolved into one of UK's dynamic, progressive and forward-thinking learning institutions. Always quick to adapt as student requirements change, it has been acknowledged for its fresh approaches for learning such as its competitive two year degrees, introduction of tailor made programmes for fast growing global requirements and "unmatched" modern facilities.