Edinburgh Napier University launches Degrees in Sri Lanka
Scotland-based Edinburgh Napier University and Spectrum Institute of Science & Technology Sri Lanka launched two new undergraduate degrees.
British Deputy High Commissioner Laura Davies
Scotland-based Edinburgh Napier University and Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology, Sri Lanka launched two new undergraduate degrees at a reception hosted by British Deputy High Commissioner Laura Davies at Westminster House on Thursday, 14 August, 2014. The new degrees – BSc (Honours) Biomedical Science and BSc (Honours) Microbiology and Biotechnology – are welcome additions to the range of British degrees made increasingly available to students in Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the event, British Deputy High Commissioner Laura Davies said: “I take this opportunity to congratulate Edinburgh Napier University and Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology on this collaboration. British education is held in high regard in Sri Lanka and I am delighted that both the UK and Sri Lanka continue to look for ways to make UK education accessible to Sri Lankan students. This collaboration is especially significant since options for internationally recognised qualifications in the area of health and life sciences are currently limited in Sri Lanka.”
Edinburgh Napier University launches Degrees in Sri Lanka
Mr Iain McIntosh, Dean, Faculty of Health, Life and Social Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) added: “At Edinburgh Napier, we have a long history of successfully delivering our programmes with educational partners overseas including Hong Kong and Singapore, and I very much look forward to returning for the graduation of Edinburgh Napier students here in Colombo.”
Meanwhile, Mr Jayanthan Kulasingham, Chairman, Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology (SIST) explained the partnership in more detail. “The degree programmes will be delivered in Sri Lanka by Edinburgh Napier University faculty and teaching staff from SIST, in order to ensure high standards. The beauty of these programmes is that they provide opportunities for talented Sri Lankan students to pursue affordable, international education while living in Sri Lanka.”
The partnership between the two institutions began in 2012 when Promila Jayaraj, a student of SIST, won the Designer Innovative Idea Award for designing a solar powered wheel chair and was sponsored by ENU to visit their campus. Subsequently, Dr. Sophie Foley, Director of International provision within the Faculty of Health, Life and Social Sciences of ENU, visited Sri Lanka to identify the potential for delivering their programmes. After nearly two years of discussion and clearing all evaluation requirements in terms of infrastructure, faculty and laboratory facilities, SIST signed a collaborative agreement to deliver Life Science degrees.
Among those present at the reception were Dr Sunil Nawaratne, Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education and potential employers of Edinburgh Napier graduates in Sri Lanka. Other senior representatives present from the two institutes included Dr. Sophie Foley, Mr Ashwini Kumar (Director of ENU’s office in Hyderabad) and Mrs Gowri Kulasingham (Director of SIST).
Edinburgh Napier University has a strong reputation for excellence in the life sciences. They have a highly qualified faculty whose areas of research include reproductive health, diseases such as Crohn’s disease, stroke and cancer, nanotoxicology, infection control through development and testing of novel therapeutics and biocides, and the exploitation of microorganisms in water and waste resource management. They are also a member of the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland.
Last updated 20 August 2014 + show all updates
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First published.