RMIT University collaborates with SAITM Faculty of Engineering

Australia’s prestigious RMIT recently initiated a partnership with SAITM to make Australian degrees and internships available locally to engineering students at affordable rates. This strategic partnership comes at a time when the Government is striving to position Sri Lanka as an education hub in the Asian region.

Commenting on the venture, Professor Gael McDonald, President and General Director, RMIT University, Vietnam said, “The programs offered in Vietnam are cost effective, require less travel time and are equipped with personalised experiences.” She also stressed on the unique internship opportunity the students will be getting as they become a part of the program. “RMIT is one of the largest universities in Australia having a strong global presence. For the degrees awarded by RMIT Vietnam, the students are awarded the same degree as what is offered in Australia. Vietnam is a feasible and a cost effective option for students from South Asia.”

McDonald further elaborated that, “The agreement with SAITM looks at a credit transfer facility for the students who have already enrolled in an engineering degree at SAITM. Recognising what the students have already done, we guarantee an opportunity for these students to either be a part of RMIT Vietnam or Australia. Following the completion of their study, students are provided with internship opportunities at leading firms. Vietnam is an emerging country with a 6 to 7% economic growth. Hence, companies are looking to hire qualified professionals. These include well recognised companies and multinationals.”

McDonald also added that, “Students get a 360 degree training in soft skills that gives them an edge in the corporate world. The soft skill training includes developing an individual’s personal competencies, leadership, team work, dressing for success, managing conflict, well-being, fine-dining, wine appreciation and more skills that a young professional needs to have a grip of to be relevant in the corporate world.”

The university also looks at giving reasonable accommodations for students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia and certain syndromes in making learning accessible for all, through specialised materials. 

The collaboration has brought in a host of prospects for new students hoping to be enrolled at SAITM as well as for students already enrolled at the university. Students opting for a foundation course in Engineering or Science and Technology could either study at RMIT Vietnam or Australia and students who prefer a foundation program in Business following their G.C.E O/L’s can opt for the same. Some of the options available for these students are Bachelor of Digital Marketing, Bachelor of Tourism, Bachelor of Management, Bachelor in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and a number of other programs. 

Further the collaboration also offers a two plus two proposition where students already enrolled in SAITM Engineering programs would have the opportunity to study the final two years abroad securing an internship within globally competitive markets. The proposition also gives leverage to students who have already qualified as engineers to follow an engineering internship abroad by being part of the university. 

Rachel Holthouse, Chief Executive Officer, RMIT Training, Melbourne, Australia, stated that, “Sri Lanka is already being looked at by many giants in the global education industry. The country is recognised to have massive potential to offer quality education to students within the higher education sphere. This collaboration with RMIT and SAITM offers amazing opportunities to students who have an appetite to find themselves in an international degree, with high relevancy. SAITM is a longstanding partner of RMIT. Thus, RMIT also has a very strong presence in Colombo and hence this partnership is opportune to further strengthen the quality of education that SAITM offers to their Engineering and Business students.”

Elaborating further on the SAITM Engineering Faculty, Dean Professor, Sisuru Sendanayake stated, “It is among the pioneering not-state engineering faculties in Sri Lanka. It has been home to more than 500 engineering students, approximately 40% of whom are already into post graduate studies in world renowned universities or employed in leading Engineering firms. SAITM offers unique learning experiences with its Ministry of Higher Education and University Grants Commission (UGC) approved local Engineering degree programs along with its strong collaborations with world leading universities such as RMIT – Australia and Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) – Thailand.”

The Engineering transfer programs will commence at SAITM starting from October 2017 and the Foundation Program will commence from October 2018.