The Island

It is indeed a rare occasion in Sri Lanka today that one can genuinely offer ‘Bouquets’ to anyone in authority, but it is with pleasure that I would like to offer my congratulations to the Government of Sri Lanka for the recent announcement that the Private Universities Bill is withdrawn, at least for the time being. I only hope that this is not a mere tactical withdrawal to divert attention, but is based on the realisation of the impropriety of the manner of its intended introduction.

One of Australia’s leading educational service providers IIBT (International Institute of Business and Technology) is further extending the 11 year agreement it has had with their Sri Lankan Representative MTI, by using Sri Lanka as the launch pad for some new services in regional markets.

The number of complaints regarding hacking of ‘Facebook’ accounts of Lankans has increased, Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team (SLCERT) Senior Information Security Engineer, Rohana Palliyaguru said.

By Sirimal Abeyratne, Professor in Economics University of Colombo

Policy Brief prepared for Pathfinder Foundation

University education in Sri Lanka has so far been operating behind the high protective barriers under the state monopoly. Despite frequent rhetoric for reforms, this important sector was not open to liberalization even after more than 30 years of liberalization policy reforms. Therefore, the university system in Sri Lanka continued to exist with all of the typical problems of a "state-owned enterprise" operating in a "closed-economy" model. The University system did not expand enough to cater to the growing demand so that there is a serious supply shortage.

Tech One Global will set up a 50-seat IT/BPO business, becoming the first Sri Lankan company to set up operations in Sri Lanka’s dedicated IT/BPO Park in Hambantota.

Household access to telephones is on par with electricity, television, and radio in Sri Lanka mainly because of the boom in mobile phones, and are set to overtake TV and radio, a new study said.

AIESEC is the world’s largest student-run organization bringing together more than 60,000 members from over 100 countries in the world. AIESEC offers leadership and international exchange and skill development opportunities for youth around the world in its efforts to achieve its vision: "Peace and fulfilment of Humankind’s Potential."

Dinesh Weerakkody MD HR Cornucopia says the current educational system in our country, from kindergarten through university, does a poor job of equipping people for continuous learning. Therefore, to engage Generation Y, there needs to be a wave of innovation in future education, particularly online, that will cater to this need in a more flexible, personalized way than the traditional degree or postgraduate courses are delivered.

John Keells Foundation inaugurated its popular "English for Teens" scholarship programme for 2011/12 in 19 Districts of the country in November 2011. "What we learn in this programme will help us in school and in our daily lives. It is an honour to be given the opportunity to learn at a well reputed Language Centre. We hope that John Keells will continue to provide scholarships for the benefit of children like us", said 14-year old, W.M. Lakshani Navodya Wijetunga of Gothami Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Colombo at the inauguration ceremony held in Colombo.

Over 50,000 are employed in the IT industry in Colombo and Sri Lanka is growing as a global IT destination, a Science and Technology Ministry official said.

Micro Research Group, local language mobile application developer, revolutionises Sinhala Mobile Applications with an industry first, Sinhala – English dictionary for Mobile Phones.

Specialising in the development of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, Bileeta (Private) Limited has earned a reputation – both here and abroad - for providing a cutting-edge solution to both medium and large-scale enterprises. The CEO Mr.Sanji De Silva and COO Mr.Sanka Weerasinghe, of Bileeta is on an aggressive growth path that continues to gain recognition, specifically with the affirmation of ICTA – the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka.

Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake yesterday told Parliament that the draft for a Non-Governmental Universities Act had been forwarded to the Attorney General and the implementation of that Act would shut down the institutes which sell degrees.

EVES Group AG, an international IT Management and Software Solutions Provider based in Braunschweig, Germany, unveiled their ambitious plans to make EVES IT Lanka, with its operations in Colombo the hub of its Information Technology (IT) products and services marketing in Asia by enhancing the local operations with advanced German technological inputs and know-how.

The best way to make the benefits of ICT to reach all the people, especially the disadvantaged as envisaged by the President is to develop local e-content talent, says President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga. The Presidential Secretary said so while participating as the Guest of Hounour at the e-Swabhimani Awards 2011 held in Colombo recently.

The Youth Business Sri Lanka programme was launched in Anuradhapura on the 17th of November 2011 to coincide with the opening of the new office premises of the Anuradhapura District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture.

The Government Information Centre (GIC) (1919) stands tall today in bringing government service to the people, thanks to the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, says Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga.

The Awards Ceremony of the Best Annual Report & Accounts Competition of National Schools will be held on 10th November 2011 at 2.00 pm at the BMICH Main Hall. The Chief Guest of this graceful national ceremony will be the Bandula Gunawardhana, Minister of Education. Gamini Wijith Wijithamuni De Zoysa, Dy. Minister of Education and H M Gunasekera, Secretary to the Ministry of Education will be the Guests of Honour.

University of Bolton Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor Rob Campbell, is coming to Sri Lanka in December to launch a new UK university centre.

The Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) has always prided itself on being the leader in providing superlative Technology education in Sri Lanka. In collaboration with the University of Westminster UK, the IIT campus has once again produced top quality achievers in the field, evidenced at the recently concluded 17th convocation held at the BMICH.

Professor Peter Cappelli is George W. Taylor Professor of Management at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in the United States. Professor. Peter Cappelli is recognized as one of the world’s most important authorities on human capital. His work focuses on human resource practices, talent and performance management, and public policy related to employment. His more recent research examines changes in employment relations in the U.S. and their implications.

BY Savitri Goonasekere, Professor of Law and Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo

The Minister of Higher Education and the Ministry have frequently reminded the public, in recent months, that the government’s policy on education seeks to create a "knowledge based" society, that will make Sri Lanka the "knowledge hub" of Asia. It is interesting to examine the various initiatives that have been taken in working to achieve this objective.

Sri Lanka’s flagship ICT Expo, Infotel 2011 will be held from December 2 to 5 at the BMICH. This event is organized by the Federation of Information Technology Industry of Sri Lanka (FITIS) in partnership with Ministry of Telecommunication and IT and ICTA. This will the 11th exhibition in the series and the first after organizers decided to hold the Expo annually.

The ThinkQuest Competition 2012, sponsored by the Oracle Education Foundation, is now open to students worldwide. This global competition engages students, up to age 22, to solve a problem using their critical thinking, communication, and technology skills.