The Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) – Sri Lanka, a leading Higher Education Institute in Sri Lanka further expanded its operations with the inauguration of the APIIT Graduate School and the launch of two Masters Programmes.  The launch took place at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel on 27th of March 2007 in the presence of a distinguished gathering of invitees from the Education Sector, Corporate Sector and the Media. There were also representatives from Staffordshire University., UK and the APIIT main Campus in Malaysia.

The special invitee for the event from the corporate sector was Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, CEO of Dialog Telekom. Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya inaugurated the APIIT Graduate School and launched the MSc in Computing and MSc in Technology Management degree programmes.  Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, in his key note address, highlighted the need to adapt modern technology and provide education in the distance mode so that a large number of youth in the country would be able to access education programmes.  He also emphasised the importance of technology in business development.  He opined that the success of any business undertaking would depend on the timely adoption of technology and stated that this is a primary role of the CEO.

He commended APIIT-Sri Lanka for launching two Masters Programmes in Sri Lanka together with Staffordshire University.  He said that both programmes would cater to the current needs of the Industry and Commerce.

Dr. Athula Pitigala–Arachchi, CEO of APIIT-Sri Lanka in his speech commented on the state of Higher Education in the country. He pointed out that there is much room for improvement of higher education in terms of expanding opportunities, improving quality and standards and making the education programmes relevant to the needs of the country.  Dr. Pitigala–Arachchi explained that the higher education enrolment in Sri Lanka, at less than 3% of an age cohort, appears to be one of the lowest in the world.  According to Dr. Pitigala-Arachchi, Sri Lanka does not seem to produce enough trained manpower to support the expansion of the industry and commerce.  It is no surprise that our economic development is lagging behind the growth rates of most countries in the region, stated Dr. Pitigala-Arachchi.

Dr. Pitigala-Arachchi reiterated the need to make academic programmes relevant to the needs of the country.  He said that the two Masters Programmes have been selected considering the current and future needs of the industry and commerce; he drew attention to the increasing importance of technology and, in particular, ICT for economic development.

Dr. Michael Hamlyn delivered a message on behalf of Professor Christine King, the Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of Staffordshire University.  He referred to the long standing collaboration between Staffordshire University and APIIT and stated that mechanisms are in place to ensure that the Staffordshire University Programmes offered in Sri Lanka through APIIT are of the same standard and quality as those in the UK.  

“Staffordshire University is firmly committed to developing educational opportunities for all, irrespective of race or gender. We are committed to building a dynamic worldwide learning community, and our growing and developing relationship with APIIT-Sri Lanka is testament to that commitment. As APIIT- Sri Lanka grows and builds on its successes, so Staffordshire University grows and further develops its worldwide learning community.  The success of the partnership between Staffordshire University and APIIT - Sri Lanka is due, I believe, to the fact that we share similar ideals. Both institutions are guided by values that place the student at the very centre of the learning experience.  Also both institutions are fast developing reputations for excellence”, added Dr. Hamlyn.

Dr. Andy Seddon, Senior Manager for Academic Development at APIIT in Malaysia spoke of the cordial triangular relationship between APIIT-Sri Lanka, Staffordshire University, UK and APIIT-Malaysia providing strength to each institution. He also stressed on the quality assurance framework and outlined the plans to deliver the two Masters Programmes based on international best practice.

Dr. Damith Mudugamuwa, the Head of Academic Programmes at the APIIT Graduate School said that the academic activities of the two Masters Programmes are scheduled to commence in the first week of June 2007.  The lectures will be held on weekday evenings after office hours and on selected weekends allowing a work life balance.   He assured that the programmes will be conducted with professionalism to best international standards.  Dr. Mudugamuwa said that the overall aim of the APIIT Graduate School is to produce professionals who are globally competitive.

The MSc in Computing and MSc in Technology Management are both awarded by Staffordshire University, UK.  Staffordshire University is one of the leading universities for computing education in the UK and has been offering computing degrees since 1965, regularly updating and modifying the wide range of awards as technology advanced.