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The SLTC Research University ceremoniously launched the Centre for Governance and Public Policy; the university’s dedicated centre for research, education and policy making on Wednesday the 15th of February at the SLTC University premises in the TRACE Expert City, Colombo 10.  The Centre was inaugurated by Hon Ranil Wickramasinghe, The President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, in the presence of state officials, local and international delegates, academics, university representatives, policy makers and industry personnel. The newly inaugurated centre will work on the fronts of knowledge sharing, policy development, research and knowledge incubation and public engagement in Sri Lanka as well as work in collaboration with international bodies, agencies and universities on joint academic and social initiatives. Educating the next generation about governance and public policy as well as contributing towards policy development and administration on a global scale have been identified as the key objectives of the centre. Welcoming the audience to this memorable occasion, the Vice Chancellor and the President of the SLTC Research University, Eng. Ranjith G. Rubasinghe stressed upon the importance of universities transcending their conventionally assumed roles of mere knowledge disseminators but acceding to the functional roles of holistic educators that rise to the demands of the times. The launch of the SLTC Center for Governance and Public Policy (C-GaPP) marks a significant step towards this endeavour for SLTC. Addressing the gathering, Hon. President Ranil Wickresinghe said that he was overjoyed by the launch of the new centre. One that would cater to a pressing need  in Sri Lankan Education. The President also went on to say that the country has arrived at an age of transformation, where one has to consider both the good and the bad and higher education demands much change which requires wide ranging discussions among parties across the country. In addition to academic and research activities, listed among the key activities scheduled to be carried out by the SLTC Center for Governance and Public Policy (C-GaPP), is a series of seminars under the theme of Freedom & Prosperity; Sri Lanka towards 2048 which will open with an inaugural conference this year. The Centre is headed by Dr. Samitha Hettige – Head of Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the SLTC Research University who introduced the aims and objectives of the centre to the gathering. This was followed by Prof. Howard Nicholas, Associate Professor at the International Institute of Social Studies, The Hague  who spoke under the theme of  ‘Crisis; a catalyst for growth’ and referred to the many opportunities a crisis can generate not only for a country’s economy but for advancements in  higher education, research and technology. SLTC is Sri Lanka’s first corporate backed , non state research university and is known for technology enabled teaching and learning , research and innovation conducted in collaboration with international agencies and transcending the traditional conventions of education. Fostering the next generation of thought leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs through research is at the core of the SLTC Research University.  Research, self-learning, experimenting, challenging convention, innovative thinking, and driving one’s passion, are all integral components of the SLTC culture. SLTC is known for the wide array of disciplines it offers and cross-discipline collaboration across schools. The Centre for Governance and Public Policy is the latest addition to SLTC’s portfolio of schools and centres and will be a forerunner to the establishment of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences which will be launched later this year.

Innovation and development catalyst Good Life X (GLX) has entered into a partnership with the Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC) to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and foster the next generation of innovative thinkers in the country. The partnership comes at a time when the Sri Lankan economy needs a fresh impetus for innovation-led growth, with a focus on regenerative and sustainable business practices. Entrepreneurship, whilst taught in many courses worldwide, demands real-world experiences through successes and failures to understand the realities on the ground and to have a real impact. While students go through entrepreneurship and innovation classes, hands-on action often remains limited. The partnership between GLX and SLTC aims to tackle that, build practical skills among the campus students and prepare them to take on challenges in the real world. The partnership recognises that innovation requires out-of-the-box thinking, trialing different approaches to problem-solving and most of all, collaboration with fellow peers to unlock ideas within each other. Through the partnership, GLX will bring to SLTC’s City Campus located at TRACE Expert City, unique and innovative approaches to creating scalable impact, and accelerated good growth business models, whilst inspiring new ways of tackling old problems. This partnership will enable both parties to combine their strengths to tackle social, economic and environmental challenges at the local, regional and global levels, especially around sustainability and climate change. GLX will co-create the incubation efforts of SLTC and contribute to developing SLTC’s interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving, innovation and entrepreneurship expertise in order to be efficient and current. GLX will further contribute towards SLTC’s think tank on industry-academia, innovation and research while providing access to SLTC’s academic fraternity for students to engage with programs and activities hosted by GLX. Good Life X will be based as an onsite innovation sustainability partner within the SLTC City Campus at Trace Expert City in Colombo. The space will be used to facilitate hands-on experiences connecting the GLX’s methods of innovative community building within SLTC and Trace Expert City. Good Life X (GLX), is an innovation and development catalyst, geared to build a new wave of life-enhancing companies in South Asia. GLX provides critical knowledge and expertise to rapidly advance the prospects of startups, SMEs, and investors focusing on regeneration and innovation through their solutions. As the first sector-specific innovation platform in Sri Lanka GLX has developed flexible, renewable and diverse approaches to bridge the gap between the old and the new, creating actual progress in food and agriculture, circular design, wellness and tourism spaces since 2019.

The unfolding economic crisis in the country continues to negatively impact the hopes of many Sri Lankan youth who were aspiring for quality higher education overseas. Consequently, the number of students leaving for overseas education has significantly increased in recent times and the demand for local non-state higher education has come to experience new challenges. “The adverse effects of the economic situation are manifest across all levels of society, affecting the future of thousands of youths’’ says Ranjith Rubasinghe, Founder President /CEO of SLTC Research University (SLTC).  ‘This is a critical hour that tests the role of non-state educators in Sri Lanka as this situation requires them to step up in support of the youth. In this context, we are humbly proud to announce that SLTC is not only fully equipped to meet the current challenge but also prepared to go beyond and make a real difference in their lives’ said Mr Rubasinghe.  Elaborating how SLTC offers students equivalent routes to achieve their dreams Mr. Rubasinghe said ‘‘SLTC is in academic partnerships with leading universities in the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Austria and Singapore.  These universities consider the first 2 years at the SLTC Research University as equivalent to the first 2 years taught at their respective universities. This enables SLTC undergraduates to receive an education of international standards from day one and transfer to their desired university once the first two years are complete’’. This reduces the tuition cost of the student by a great margin. Thus the students benefit from having to spend less than half the original cost for following a foreign degree thanks to the first 2-year advantage at SLTC and they get to realise their dream of studying abroad as well. It’s a sure pathway for migration that combines the highest educational qualifications and financial benefits. On the other hand, considering the volume of foreign currency drain prevented, this is a win-win for both students and the country, ‘’ Mr Rubasinghe further added.  Transfer options are available across almost all 20 study pathways offered by SLTC in the disciplines of Engineering, Computing & IT, Business, Technology and Music. In addition to the undergraduate programmes, SLTC has introduced a unique foundation programme tailored for post-O/L students who wish to fast-track their higher education. Referred to as the SLTC -Deakin foundation, this programme allows post-O/L students to qualify for an undergraduate transfer study programme at Deakin University, Australia. A truly unique programme, the foundation requires its participants to attend real-time undergraduate lectures conducted at SLTC during which they will acquire the foundation knowledge required to qualify to be admitted to an undergraduate degree of their choosing.  A dedicated faculty will guide these prospective undergraduates throughout the programme and will help them succeed in qualifying for undergraduate education. For students directly enrolling for undergraduate studies after successfully completing their A/Ls, SLTC offers the ‘ENTECH Merit-based Youth Scholarship Scheme’. ENTECH is a one-of-a-kind revolutionary scholarship programme that recognizes the academic excellence of prospective undergraduates. According to the programme (GCE or London A/L), students with ‘A’ passes are eligible for a maximum fee reduction of 60% of their tuition fee, with a 20% reduction offered for each ‘A’ pass. The ENTECH programme was launched at the inception of the SLTC and has benefited a great number of students over the years.  SLTC Research University’s list of elite academic partners includes renowned universities of Deakin, James Cook and RMIT in Australia, Auckland and Lincoln Universities in New Zealand, University of Lancaster in the UK, IITM in India, and Modul University in Austria. Their acknowledgement of SLTC’s standards as on par with theirs is a grand testament to SLTC’s excellence.  SLTC Research University currently offers 25 UGC-approved, degree awarding programmes through 6 schools – the largest portfolio amongst all non-state universities in the island. The university has been recognised as the fastest-growing university in Sri Lanka and the most innovative university in South Asia.  What really sets SLTC apart from the competition is its collaborative, innovative and dynamic research culture which focuses on producing high-quality, high-impact work. The University’s research partnerships enable students and faculty to engage in cutting-edge research with leading foreign universities leading to greater discoverability.  In line with this vision, SLTC Research University has established a strong academic infrastructure through twin physical locations – a tech city hub at TRACE Expert City and a fully residential campus set on a lush 35-acre suburban property in Padukka with state-of-the-art facilities including accommodation and recreational avenues.  Set in the midst of a number of leading IT & Tech companies at TRACE Expert City, SLTC’s City Campus serves the goal of exposing students to high-level working environments whilst still being undergraduates. A concept that embodies SLTC’s vision to produce top-of-class, work-ready graduates.  Prospective students can inquire for further information about SLTC degree programmes and discover the many opportunities available at the university, via 011 2100500,  www.sltc.ac.lk or info@sltc.ac.lk.

Educating, grooming, and nurturing holistic graduates who can actively contribute towards a chosen discipline in the context of academia or profession has always been a top priority for SLTC, Sri Lanka’s first Research Based Nonstate University. SLTC is also one of the first universities to adopt a student-centric, problem-based learning process since its inception and research and innovation are the defining factors of the institution’s ethos. Today the fruits of its labour are visible in the many achievements, innovations, and global research projects that the SLTC community has contributed to.