NIBM: Power up with the change

By Dr. D.M.A. Kulasooriya

The higher education industry in Sri Lanka has grown in a notable way after independence, to become one of the best systems of its kind in South Asia. However, we now live in an increasingly diverse, globalised, and complex, media-saturated society. Under-investment in digital libraries, information technology, laboratories, and digital classrooms makes it very difficult to provide top-quality instruction or engage in cutting-edge era. 

With 50 years of academic excellence, NIBM is today synonymous with its academic management system which in par with international standards. Following its vision of becoming the best business education and consultancy institute in the country, NIBM has been offering unmatched education opportunities in management, information technology design, engineering and languages in Sri Lanka. 

Partnering with world class universities 

National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) today has a student population of more than 10,000, representing school leavers and professionals. 

Through its dynamic partnerships with international universities such as Coventry University, an award-winning UK university, ranked 12th in the UK, renowned for excellent teaching, learning and student experience, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, an international university with a global presence across four continents, with international students coming from over 150 countries, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), a public research-intensive university in engineering, science and technology, NIBM currently offers higher education opportunities at unbelievably affordable prices for the Sri Lankan students.

Top 20 degrees for the changing world

The future of work is going to require a range of skills that take into account cutting edge advancements in technology and science. The most valuable majors in the future will prepare students for new economies and areas of commerce, mathematics, engineering and science related educational majors would become a global feature of the new job market. There are many factors that a prospective undergraduate student takes into consideration when contemplating which bachelor’s degree to pursue. However, one irrefutable factor to consider is the way in which their major will improve their salary and job prospects in the future. NIBM has recently introduced nearly 20 degrees in the fields of computing, engineering, business, design and languages, which are rated as highest demanding degrees in the global job market.

Experienced internal and external faculty

NIBM provides its academic services with the support of nearly 250-experienced internal and external faculty who are academically and professionally qualified.  We take our responsibilities for academic quality assurance very seriously and do everything we can to support educational development and implement regulations, policies and procedures to ensure our courses remain of the highest standard. 

We have a dedicated team – the Academic Quality team – which is responsible for maintaining the policies, procedures and processes that assure high standards across our academic programmes. External examiners of our global partners have a vital role in terms of helping us maintain our high academic standards and programme quality through the sharing of expertise and good practice, which helps inform our own internal Quality Assurance and Enhancement Quality Framework. 

Modern teaching technology

The human society has entered the era of Information and Internet; the field of education is no exception. IoT has opened up a whole new world of possibilities in higher education. The increased connectivity between devices and “everyday things” means better data tracking and analytics, and improved communication between student, professor, and institution, often without ever saying a word (Mark Leuba, 2015). IoT makes it easier for students to learn when, how, and where they want, while providing professors support to create a more flexible and connected learning environment.

Artificial Intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. AI makes it possible for machines to learn from experience, adjust to new inputs and perform human-like tasks. While artificial intelligence may not currently be taking higher education by storm, its potential for disruption is evident in its rise in mainstream popularity. Intelligent personal assistants like Siri (Apple) and Cortana (Microsoft) show how useful AI can be in day-to-day activities. In future, AI professors’ assistance in online learning platform will have a far reaching impact in teaching and learning management systems.

Blended learning on www.nibmworlwide.com

Technology offers numerous innovative tools that teachers can use in order to enhance their students’ learning experience.  Online or blended learning technology has done a significant job in changing how higher education institutions operate, educate, and innovate over the past few years. This will enable universities to reach students to whom they were previously unable to provide better services. 

Professionals who have issues in accessing higher education due to scheduling issues also can access thanks to advances in online learning. NIBM has created a robust LMS, which is open for internal students free of charge and it delivers blended-learning courses at an affordable price. 

NIBM CREST for critical enabling skills  

NIBM Critical Enabling Skills (CREST) program is designed to develop and refine the personal leadership styles and emotional intelligence of students whilst acquiring skills that will enable them to bring about the best in others. They would also benefit by gaining leadership skills such as effective communication, conflict resolution, teambuilding, and change management. Experiential learning, adult learning, action learning, peer learning, reflection, practice and application embedded and reinforced in the program design. 

Powered by the Government of Sri Lanka 

NIBM functions under the ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training. Being a self-financing institute, NIBM has the full blessing of the ministry for its future developments. We, at NIBM, are still young and passionate about improving higher education sector by setting standards based on a platform of best practices. We firmly believe we create a cutting edge and sustain our leadership by being the best amongst the other players in the industry. 

(The writer is the Director General, National Institute of Business Management.)