The Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) from the United Kingdom have recently launched SLIIT International in collaboration with LJMU, a specialized international education center situated at No. 17, Dickmans Road, Colombo 04. This inauguration marks a significant achievement in their decade-long partnership, emphasizing their dedication to providing Sri Lankan students with access to UK higher education qualifications that are internationally recognized.
The opening ceremony was honored by the presence of H.E. Andrew Patrick, the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, who served as the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by senior officials from SLIIT, LJMU, the British Council, academics, industry representatives, and other stakeholders, heralding a new chapter in the enduring collaboration between SLIIT and LJMU. This facility is notably the first in Sri Lanka dedicated solely to delivering LJMU degree programs, showcasing the strength and long-term commitment of this partnership.
Over the last ten years, the SLIIT-LJMU collaboration has cultivated a network of over 1,500 alumni, enabling Sri Lankan students to acquire globally recognized UK qualifications within their home country. The new facility has been purposefully designed to create a premier learning environment for LJMU programs, facilitating future program expansion, enhancing student experiences, and fostering deeper academic cooperation, innovation, research, and student involvement.
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In his remarks on this significant development, Prof. Lalith Gamage, Vice-Chancellor, Managing Director, and CEO of SLIIT, stated, “The establishment of SLIIT International in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University marks a crucial advancement in our enduring partnership. Our aim is to offer Sri Lankan students a world-class education and student experience right here in Sri Lanka, equipping them with the critical thinking, professional skills, and global perspective necessary for success in an interconnected world. This dedicated facility enhances the student experience and lays a firm groundwork for the ongoing growth of our collaboration with LJMU.”
Prof. Timothy Nichol, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Society and Culture at LJMU, remarked, “The inauguration of Sri Lanka’s first facility exclusively for LJMU degree programs is a noteworthy achievement for our university and our partnership with SLIIT. It underscores the robustness of our collaboration and our mutual commitment to providing a high-quality educational experience in Sri Lanka. The new facility also opens up exciting avenues for enhanced academic collaboration, innovation, research, and student engagement as we advance into the next phase of our partnership.”
A notable feature of the opening ceremony was a panel discussion titled “Beyond Borders: The Role of British Higher Education in Developing Globally Competitive Graduates.” This discussion explored the growth of international education opportunities in Sri Lanka, the future expansion of UK degree offerings, the importance of maintaining the quality of UK qualifications, and the role of international higher education in enhancing graduate employability. Panelists included Prof. Lalith Gamage, Prof. Timothy Nichol, Mr. Sajeewa Meepage from the British Council, and Dr. Harsha Cabral, a Board Member of SLIIT.
The panelists highlighted emerging trends in fields such as law, business, psychology, and artificial intelligence, as well as the contributions of UK higher education to Sri Lanka through globally recognized qualifications that adhere to high academic standards. They discussed the history and future potential of the SLIIT-LJMU partnership, the strategic importance of the new facility, academic quality, graduate employability, and the long-term growth of LJMU programs in Sri Lanka.
The ceremony also included a special address by H.E. Andrew Patrick, who shared insights on the significance of the partnership, followed by remarks from Mrs. Clare Sears, the Country Director of the British Council in Sri Lanka. The event concluded with a ceremonial exchange of partnership documents between SLIIT International and LJMU, symbolizing their ongoing commitment to enhancing collaboration and expanding educational opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
The launch of SLIIT International in collaboration with LJMU signifies a new phase in the long-standing partnership, reaffirming both institutions’ commitment to delivering high-quality British higher education in Sri Lanka. Through this dedicated facility and continued collaboration, SLIIT and LJMU aim to cultivate globally competitive graduates who possess the knowledge, skills, and international perspective needed to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.
