06th January 2021: SLIIT, the largest non-state degree awarding institute, announced recently that it has renewed and expanded its partnership with Curtin University, Australia. Under the expanded partnership, SLIIT will offer Curtin University’s full degree programs in Computing and Engineering at the SLIIT International Campus in Colombo.
According to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2020, Curtin University is ranked within the top one per cent of universities globally; this makes Curtin University the highest ranked university to offer Computing and Engineering degree programs for completion in Sri Lanka.
SLIIT – Curtin University partnership commenced two decades ago with a view to producing IT personnel for the rapidly evolving ICT industry. To date, the partnership has produced over 1800 highly enterprising and resourceful graduates for the ICT industry. Undoubtedly, SLIIT partnership with Curtin University is one of the most successful international collaborations in higher education in Sri Lanka.
The signing of the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signals a new chapter in the history of the 20 year-long partnership between SLIIT and Curtin. Sri Lankan students may now complete a Curtin degree in Computing or Engineering at the SLIIT International Campus in Colombo. Arrangements are in place to ensure that the students will receive a rich learning experience similar to that at Curtin campuses in Australia.
SLIIT – Curtin partnership is breaking new ground in Sri Lankan higher education. For example, Mechatronic Engineering is one of the innovative degree programs on offer for the first time in Sri Lanka. Rapid advances in automation applications are driving up the demand for mechatronic engineers with expertise in mechanical, electronic and computer systems engineering. Prospective students may now enroll in the Mechatronic Engineering degree program scheduled for commencement on 1 March 2021.
This new phase of the SLIIT – Curtin partnership is noteworthy that the full degree programmes will be offered at a state-of-the-art campus in central Colombo. This brand-new fully-fledged campus will have cutting-edge academic infrastructure and facilities and provide a modern environment highly conducive to student learning.
Commenting on the development, Dr. Athula Pitigala-Arachchi, Deputy Vice Chancellor of SLIIT International, said, “We have enjoyed a strong and successful relationship with Curtin for many years and are delighted to expand and strengthen the partnership to offer full Curtin University degree programs in Sri Lanka. Our students now have the opportunity to pursue innovative degree programs from a global university at a truly international campus in Sri Lanka.”
Students are provided with internships in the industry to help integrate their learning to practice. Students can seamlessly transfer to Curtin Branch campuses located around the world to complete their studies if they wish.
Curtin graduates in Computing and Engineering are eligible to apply and receive formal recognition from the Australian Computer Society and the Engineers Australia, respectively. SLIIT is a Member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and International Association of Universities (IAU) providing further recognition for the graduates.
For further information on Curtin University programmes offered at SLIIT International, please contact info@sliit.lk or 011 7544801.