Nawaloka forays into higher education

Friday, 13 June 2014 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Newly launched Nawaloka College of Higher Studies partners with Australia’s Swinburne University

The highly diversified conglomerate, known for spearheading the private healthcare sector in Sri Lanka, Nawaloka Holdings, launched its foray into the higher education sphere recently, etching a momentous chapter in its history.

The newly launched Nawaloka College of Higher Studies (NCHS) debuted a strong chapter in higher education with the inking of an MOU with one of Australia’s most prestigious universities, Swinburne University, which Chief Guest, Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne, Secretary to Minister of Higher Education, was very appreciative of. “Given that the state sector has its limitations in financing higher education, the setting up of a credible higher education institute in Sri Lanka not only prevents the drain of valuable foreign exchange and brain drain, but also augments the government’s initiative to transform Sri Lanka into the knowledge hub of Asia. The establishment of Swinburne College in Sri Lanka in collaboration with Nawaloka Holdings is highly appreciated,” he said. He intoned that it is imperative for higher education institutions to give their students the KSAM formula. “Knowledge, skill, aptitude and mindset is what our students need today, not just academics. It’s about a well rounded holistic young person who emerges from a

university, ready to face the world,” he added. While Secretary to the Minister of Higher Education and Deputy High Commissioner for Australia Sonya Koppe looked on, Chairman of the NCHS Jayantha Dharmadasa and Vice Chancellor (Education and Quality) of Swinburne University of Technology Professor Christopher Pilgrim exchanged agreements. This was done in the presence of Deputy Chairman Victor Raamanan, Directors of the NCHS Board Harshith Dharmadasa, Givantha Dharmadasa, Jayaprakash Rudra, Prof. Lal Chandrasena, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy and Executive Director/CEO Victor Rajeevan. Agreeing with Minister Dissanayake’s sentiments, Jayantha Dharmadasa said, “NCHS endeavours to sustain the Government’s vision of becoming an international hub for excellence in higher education. Already one of the leading conglomerates in Sri Lanka with business interests across healthcare, construction, manufacturing, trading and aviation, we are indeed pleased to become an active contributor to the country’s knowledge based economic growth with this partnership.”

NCHS CEO/Executive Director Victor Raajeevan augmented this saying, “The inauguration of Swinburne College Sri Lanka offers Sri Lankan students a golden opportunity to go through the same experience they would otherwise get at Swinburne University in Australia or its extended campus in Sarawak, Malaysia. This partnership enables Sri Lankan students to continue tertiary education at a higher education entity with an affiliation to a prestigious university in Australia, while enjoying the comforts of being at home or at least adjacent to home.” This was added to by Swinburne College CEO Peter Krikstolaitis, who enthused that Swinburne believes strongly that education is empowering and an imperative tool for building the future of both individuals and nations. “We are very proud to offer Swinburne programmes in Colombo in partnership with NCHS, given that historically we have always provided educational opportunities of the highest quality with long term benefits.” He reiterated that Swinburne values it reputation as being important for their graduates’ futures and hence commented, “We are selective in the partnerships we engage in. Nawaloka Holdings has an outstanding reputation, and through the positive nature of our engagement, we are very confident of a long and successful future in Sri Lanka as we grow the College through our collective efforts.” One of the world’s leading universities ranked among the top 400 and among the top 3% of universities worldwide according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities, Swinburne University, specialises in teaching and research in science, technology, business, design and innovation. Swinburne College Sri Lanka enables students to gain a foundation or diploma for entry into the diverse degree programs on offer, either venturing into Australia or to the Swinburne Campus in Sarawak, Malaysia. Having students from over 100 countries which encompasses a strong multi-cultural background to its curricular, Swinburne prides itself on its quality of research, which is reputed to be strong in computing, design, engineering, advanced manufacturing technology, optics and applied laser technology, astrophysics, biotechnology, cognitive sciences and social sustainability.