NSBM Green University Town now open

Turning a new leaf in Sri Lankan higher education, the NSBM Green University Town was opened on 26 October by President Maithripala Sirisena, with the participation of Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe, by invitation of Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Mahinda Samarasinghe and State Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Palitha Range Bandara. 

This state-of-the-art university, spread over an area of 26 acres, has the ability to house 30,000 undergraduates at a given time. It comprises of a Business Faculty, Computing Faculty, and an Engineering Faculty; all faculties are set-up with an ultra-modern touch to them. 

The Business School carries all relevant amenities such as lecture halls and study-points and also has facilities to connect to the stock market to get practical real-life business management experience. The Computing School comprises computer laboratories, lecture halls and other related facilities. The Engineering School is expected to commence several Engineering programmes that will bring forth an active workforce to the country.

All faculties have access to the Green University library, one of the biggest libraries in the country, housing a million books and providing access to e-libraries around the world. The NSBM Green University Town also features a playground, fully equipped gymnasia, and a swimming pool, among others, enabling the making of a true graduate. 

Moreover, the creative facet of the student body is nurtured through a state-of-the-art auditorium and an open air theater situated within the university premises. The premises also carries student and staff accommodation, supermarkets, banks and much more, making it a fully-fledged University Town. This will be a totally novel experience to the public as the NSBM Green University is the first and the only one of that sort in the country.

The NSBM Green University Town is affiliated to some of the highly ranked universities in the world. Plymouth University in the UK is one of the world top 300, and Limkokwing University, Malaysia has campuses in 16 countries. University College of Dublin, Ireland has a history of more than 100 years and has been the birth ground for many distinguished professionals all over the world. 

A huge gathering was witnessed at this monumental event, comprising of parliamentarians, ministry officials, foreign university officials, parents students and many more. The Green certificate was awarded to the NSBM Green University by the Ceylon Institute of Builders, and the Bank of Ceylon branch was opened by Samarasinghe. It commenced operations by awarding a loan to two lucky NSBM students.  A special stamp cover also released commemorating the inauguration of the NSBM Green University Town.

Pix by Lasantha Kumara