Victoria Central Graduate School officially launches in Sri Lanka

NTU UK Basith Asheaf, APU Malatasia Miflal Ahamed, Jade Education Group MD Siraj Hanes and Moderator Shamil Akbar at the Panel 

• Introduces global education pathways for Sri Lankan students
• Students eligible for admission with G.C.E. O/L or A/L
• Applications open for June 2025 intake
• Affordable foundation programs priced under Rs. 500,000
• Direct entry to over 100 universities across 20 countries
• Plans to introduce affordable loan schemes for aspiring students
• 30% scholarship for higher grades

Academic Quality Manager Nicola Walsh

British Council Education Programmes Manager Hamzi Haniff

NCC Representative Zeyad Ahmed

Jade Education Group MD Siraj Hanes

Janashakthi Insurance CEO Ravi Liyanage

By Safna Malik

The Jade Education Group recently officially launched its newest initiative, Victoria Central Graduate School. The launch event was held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo, in collaboration with key partners NCC Education UK, Nottingham Trent University (NTU UK), the British Council, and Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU Malaysia).

Victoria Central Graduate School is introduced with a mission to deliver high-quality foundation and diploma programs that are accepted by universities worldwide. It aims to offer accessible alternatives to the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination (G.C.E. A/L) for students seeking a direct route to higher education and to support every student with dedicated university placement services.

Victoria Central Graduate School is set to provide Sri Lankan students with globally recognised higher education opportunities, offering flexible, affordable, and comprehensive pathways to international degrees. 

With over 10 years of experience in the education sector, Jade Education Group adds Victoria Central Graduate School as a significant milestone to its successful ventures, which include Jade International School, Jade Preschool and Daycare, and Upskill English School.

Victoria Central Graduate School Managing Director Siraj Hanes explained how he consistently supported innovative learning pathways that bridge local aspirations with global opportunities, a vision that led him to introduce this campus. 

The programs are structured into three levels. Level 3 serves as an entry point for the international foundation program. The Level 4 Diploma is equivalent to the first year of a UK Bachelor’s degree, while the Level 5 Diploma is equivalent to the second year of a UK degree.

“Students undertaking these programs will benefit from direct entry into our partnered universities while gaining globally recognised qualifications,” Hanes stated.

Elaborating on partnerships, Hanes said that NCC Education UK plays a significant role in their journey. NCC Education is a UK-based global provider of British education qualifications, renowned for its focus on quality assurance and international reach.

“The programs we offer are regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation in England (OFQUAL), which is similar to Pearson qualifications, widely recognised in Sri Lanka,” he added.

Hanes highlighted that through this partnership and affiliations with universities including the University of Greenwich, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), and University of Bolton, Victoria Central Graduate School provides a recognised pathway to global degrees.

NTU UK offers diverse programs and opportunities regarding student exchange, joint degrees, and collaborative research. APU Malaysia, a prominent institution with a strong regional network across Asia, has partnered with Victoria Central Graduate School to provide high-quality education in technology, business management, engineering, accounting, and finance, with a focus on practical skills and industry relevance.

Victoria Central Graduate School adopts a unique approach. Unlike many academies that cater to a limited number of countries, it offers an unparalleled array of choices. Its programs cover a range of selected fields, including Chemical Engineering, Higher Finance, Health Sciences, Computing, Engineering, Business, Creative Arts, and Law.

Hanes also expressed his deep commitment to making quality education accessible. He revealed that the programs offered by Victoria Central Graduate School are designed to be affordable for students, typically priced at less than Rs. 500,000.

In the future, Victoria Central Graduate School plans to introduce financial assistance schemes with banks to facilitate these degree pathways for aspiring students, with discussions currently underway.

Hanes further highlighted Victoria Central Graduate School’s admission policy, stating that merit in Mathematics and Science is relevant. He also announced a 30% scholarship for eligible students who achieve higher grades, particularly those passing with first-class honours. 

“For those with lower grades in the G.C.E Ordinary Level examination (G.C.E. O/L), Victoria Central Graduate School offers a special program; upon successful completion, these students can continue their educational journey with Victoria Central Graduate School,” he explained.

“Furthermore, Victoria Central Graduate School has dedicated student consultants available to provide guidance on choosing the most suitable pathways and career options.”

NCC Education Senior Business Development Manager Zeyad Ahmed further elaborated on the academic pathways and partnerships, confirming NCC Education’s dedication to providing high-quality British education globally alongside Victoria Central Graduate School.

This framework allows students to choose to complete their full degree in Sri Lanka or seamlessly transfer to a partner university overseas for their final year. Victoria Central Graduate School gives direct access to university-level education for students who may not have pursued G.C.E. A/L.

Students have the opportunity to study at over 100 universities in more than 20 countries—including the UK, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Netherlands, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Switzerland, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Mongolia, Pakistan, Qatar, and New Zealand.

APU Malaysia Representative Ahamed Miflal pointed out that APU is ranked as the number one university for international students for its leading multicultural learning experience in Malaysia and across Asia. This offers students at Victoria Central Graduate School further diverse opportunities for progression and global exposure. He added that the university boasts a 100% employability rate and accepts students who have completed Level 5 with VCGS.

British Council Sri Lanka Education Programs Manager Hamzi Haniff spoke about the significant impact of British education in Sri Lanka. She noted that British influence not only provides recognition and value for education but has also instilled discipline, which Sri Lanka has widely embraced – from convents and uniforms to the education system and the importance of language, with UK English taken as the standard. She added that new initiatives like Victoria Central Graduate School will not only benefit Sri Lankan students but also contribute significantly to the country’s broader development.

Victoria Central Graduate School is now welcoming applications for its June 2025 intake. The new campus is located at 321, Galle Road, Colombo 4, a central and highly accessible area within the city’s commercial hub, ensuring seamless travel and convenience for students. The campus is open for inquiries Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Interested individuals can also call 077 065 6321 for further details. 

This milestone truly represents a bold step in expanding global horizons for Sri Lankan students, offering them flexible, affordable, and internationally recognised education pathways while in Sri Lanka, fostering academic flexibility and career-focused learning under one roof.

Pix by Upul Abayasekara