UK, Lanka partnership to boost business education

The UK’s Plymouth University, ranked amongst the top10 modern UK universities in the world, announced its partnership with Sri Lanka’s National School of Business Management (NSBM) to a distinguished gathering of academics, diplomats, government dignitaries and educationists.

Present for the launch was Plymouth University’s President and Vice Chancellor Wendy Purcell, while the Chief Guest was Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardena. Also present was Monitoring MP for Education/Skills Development and Youth Affairs Mohanlal Grero.

“We have formed a unique and exciting partnership with the National School of Business Management to deliver a tailor made suite of degrees that are relevant to the Sri Lanka of today as well as that of the future. We want our graduates to be Sri Lanka’s leaders of tomorrow,” said Professor Purcell.

“We have a strong culture of partnership working – it is about students, staff and community, working together across operations, research and the curriculum. We are turning our ambitions into actions and now have the opportunity to share our learning here in Sri Lanka,” Professor Purcell added.

NSBM CEO Dr. E.A. Weerasinghe said that as an educational institute they were inspired to redefine the role of higher education here in Sri Lanka.

“We currently have long term affiliations with world renowned universities such as University College Dublin- Ireland and Limkokwing University Malaysia and this our most recent partnership with the reputed Plymouth University will undoubtedly strengthen our capabilities in the field of higher education. Students could avail themselves of the very best that our two esteemed institutions have to offer, including being in an environment that is truly eco friendly, the University Green Town in Homagama.”

Minister Gunewardena while reaffirming his government’s stance on furthering higher education in the country, said the NSBM had a dynamic and innovative agenda for the future. The Minister said, “The NSBM offers a novel approach to learning, with the perfect blend of technology and research to prepare our students to take their place in tomorrow’s increasingly competitive world. The government of Sri Lanka realises only too well that the future lies in education and the entrance of the Plymouth University only serves to underline its commitment to the furtherance of higher education in the country.”

The courses that will be offered will include programs in supply chain and operations, business management, marketing, accounting, finance as well as tourism and hospitality.

As one of the UK’s largest universities, Plymouth has over 30,000 students and a 3000 member teaching faculty.