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Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay jointly witnessed the establishment of partnership linkage between the Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC) Research University and the Indian Institute of Technology – Madras (IITM) for an inclusive partnership for academic, research and resource exchange. During their visit to the SLTC in Padukka on Wednesday, they joined a zoom meeting between the SLTC Campus and IIT, Madras in which the Founder President/CEO of SLTC Dr. Ranjit Rubasinghe welcomed them from Australia, where he is currently on an official visit. The SLTC Research University partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further their contribution towards education and research along with widening provision for staff and student exchange programmes. As the Indian IITs have made a high reputation as a premier university that produces top IT specialists to the world, the SLTC will immensely benefit from its collaboration as an institute that has proven its high potential. The partnership is expected to strengthen each institution’s contribution towards higher education and research on a global scale. The agreement unfolds several opportunities for student and staff exchange programmes. The lecturers and students of SLTC demonstrated to the Prime Minister and the High Commissioner how they could use the state of the art technological tools such as cloud application systems for the students to link to four stations simultaneously and interact with lecturers and students and work on their own initiatives. Two students explained their latest project to convert discarded cooking oil to diesel to run motor vehicles. They explained this innovative method could be used commercially and save at least a small portion of the foreign exchange spent on fuel imports. The academics of SLTC expressed confidence that the partnership with IIT Madras would provide provision for intellectual opportunities for the participants of both countries, enriching research and academic fields. The partnership paves way for the two institutes to collaborate on research and academic programmes on many fronts. It will open doors for the students to wide opportunities through a spectrum of collaborative axes that will present multiple opportunities in education, research and intellectual exchange programmes. The academic programmes that will be on offer are structured in a manner that will expose students to a seamless flow of knowledge, industry know-how, practical experiences and skills development, in all aspects within multiple academic streams including Information Technology and Software Engineering, amongst a host of other domains. Dr. Nanda Gunawardane -Director/International Affairs at SLTC, said that the Campus is currently working on a broad programme to train youths with high IT skills for potential employment in Japan. It is expected to enter into an agreement with Japanese industrial groups to ensure employment for Sri Lankan youths skilled in IT and Japanese Language. “There are over 10,000 employment opportunities available,” he said. The SLTC conducts Engineering programmes in Electronics, Telecommunications, Power Systems and Computing. Its degree programmes are accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Highways and recognized by the University Grants Commission. Prime Minister Gunawardena and Indian Envoy first visited Seethawaka Botanical Garden first where they planted two saplings to mark the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence. Seethawaka Botanical Garden is a Wet Zone Botanical garden covering 79 acres which mainly serves as a research area and a conservation area for threatened and vulnerable endemic plant species in the Sinharaja Rain Forest region. Seethawaka Botanical Garden is a Wet Zone Botanical garden covering 79 acres which mainly serves as a research area and a conservation area for threatened and vulnerable endemic plant species in the Sinharaja Rain Forest region. Prime Minister Gunawardena and the Indian Envoy during their visit to the Seethawaka Botanical Garden. Speaking on the occasion, Indian High Commissioner said, it is a privilege to recall the great relationship between the two countries, to recall our great history and to recall with gratitude the people like the honourable father (Philip Gunawardena) of the Prime Minister who have strengthen that great relationships. “As I do that I am also mindful of the future that we have to work for and the present in which we are combined with our joint efforts to not only promote our economic partnerships but also to create environment-friendly policies which fight against the Climate Change. The promotion of green policies, green energy, and the promotion of renewable energy are some of those areas in which India is very happy to partner very closely with our friends and colleagues in Sri Lanka under the guidance of Sri Lankan leadership,” he said. The Prime Minister stated, “The Indo-Sri Lankan friendship is not limited to a few years. It spans over many centuries. Bilateral relations between the two countries have become stronger every time. By this year, India has become one of the most powerful countries in the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the current Chairman of the G20 group granted numerous benefits to the neighbouring countries as well.” “Environment is not limited to one generation. It is everyone’s responsibility to protect such botanical gardens full of biodiversity. The kingdom of Seethawaka played a special role in the country’s freedom struggle. The nature of this unique environment also had triggered it, he said. The Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay revealed that India’s support for Sri Lanka’s green development process is deserved. The relations between the two countries are not limited to economic cooperation. India’s full support is given to Sri Lanka in the programme of promoting renewable energy. The High Commissioner highlighted the need to promote economic partnership between the two countries and work with the joint efforts of both countries to create environment-friendly policies that combat Climate Change.”

Programmes to be offered in Sri Lanka by the SLTC Research University The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) met with potential candidates for their postgraduate programmes on the 6th of December from 3.00 pm at the Kingsbury Hotel Colombo. The programmes will be delivered in Sri Lanka by the SLTC Research University, which recently entered into an exclusive partnership with IITM to conduct their programmes in Sri Lanka. The IITM prepares students for highly coveted careers in the field of tech and the admission process is known for its competitiveness. The event is an opportunity for potential postgraduate students to learn more about the programmes, discover opportunities an IITM qualification presents and be guided on the admission process. Following the student-fair were a fellowship event and a rare opportunity for prospective IIT graduates to network with IIT alumni, faculty, and representatives of the industry. Present at the event were, The Hon. Minister of Education; Dr Susil Premajayantha, Hon. State Minister for Higher Education; Dr Suren Raghavan, The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka; H. E Mr. Gopal Baglay, Dean of Global Engagement IITM; Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, President of SLTC Research University; Eng. Ranjith G.Rubasinghe, Members of the IITM delegation, representatives from the SLTC Research University, Industry Personnel and members of the IITM Alumni in Sri Lanka. The postgraduate programmes are due to commence in January 2023 and applications are currently being accepted from eligible candidates for one of IITM’s flagship programmes, The International Interdisciplinary Master’s Degree in Cyber-Physical Systems. The provides its students with an advanced education in the interdisciplinary fields of technology and engineering enabling the students to transcend the traditional framework of engineering and science-related careers. The specially curated two-year programme in Cyber-Physical Systems is specially crafted for highly motivated l students from any engineering background interested in an interdisciplinary master’s degree. In the recent past, interdisciplinary degree students have been remarkably successful in bridging gaps and exploring the potential opportunities these synergies present. The second year of the program will be dedicated to a research-based master’s project. The I2MP provides a platform for international students with exceptional performance in their undergraduate programs to participate in these activities. The IITM is one of the Top Universities in Asia and has been ranked No.1 in the ‘Overall’ Category for the third consecutive year in India Ranking 2021 released by National Institutional Ranking Framework, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, ranked No.1 in the ‘Engineering Institutions’ category in the same Rankings for six consecutive years – from 2016 to 2021. The institute was also adjudged ‘Top innovative Institution’ in the country in the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) in 2019, 2020 and 2021, launched by the Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Education, India.

Head of Marketing Natasha Fernando (left) and SLTC Research University Founder President/CEO Ranjith Rubasinghe receiving the award at South Asian Partnership Summit and Business Excellence Awards 2022 in Dhaka, Bangladesh The SLTC Research University has been conferred the Educational Institute with Best Academic & Industry Interface Award under Education, Learning & Development Category at the South Asian Partnership Summit & Business Excellence Awards 2022 held in Dhaka, Bangladesh this week.  The South Asian Business Excellence Awards were introduced to acknowledge and reward the exceptional work and results gained by the trailblazers of the corporate domain, including political, social, economic, and financial initiatives in the face of an ever-increasing competitive market.  Vying against other educational institutes from across the South Asian region, the SLTC Research University scored high for its collaborative efforts with the industry to produce career-ready global graduates. This is crucial as Sri Lanka is poised to become a regional player in various industry verticals and will depend on a highly educated and versatile workforce that is capable of intelligent, assertive, and forward-thinking ideas to keep up with the region.  The SLTC Research University has received praise and been in the spotlight since its inception for the close relationship that was continued with the industry stakeholders, where their expertise was utilised in the designing, updating and execution of curricula, delivery of subject matter, internships, and industry placements and many collaborative academic, research and professional activities that are carried out throughout the academic year.  The university prides itself on producing 100% employable graduates, largely thanks to the updated industry-relevant curriculum, active internship placements and continued exposure to real-world industry workings. The jury of the South Asian Partnership Summit & Business Excellence Awards 2022, headed by Awards Jury Chairman Dr. Khyati Shetty Datta was comprised of a select group of professionals and experts of the discipline, who used their in-depth understanding of the current global standards to evaluate and arrive at their final decisions.  The purpose of these awards is to recognise and honour the most respected companies within a variety of industries, whilst rewarding remarkable success in all its forms throughout the South Asian business community. Nominations were called by corporates and companies from across South Asia. This marks the second time that the university has been recognised at the summit. In 2019 SLTC has conferred the ‘Most Emerging Education Institute of the Year’ award in Colombo.  In just seven years since its inception, the SLTC Research University has been recognised by many international and national awarding bodies and the university believes that this is largely owed to the commitment shown by the management, faculty, and staff to make this higher education institute worthy of the national need to produce an industry ready, well-rounded graduates, with the power to rebuild the country’s economy.  Since 2014, the SLTC has been offering a unique combination of Engineering, Technological, Management, Science, IT and Computing and Music degree programmes and pathways. It has since strengthened its research and industry partnerships with international and local bodies to further strengthen the university’s standing in the region. The SLTC Research University is the only corporate-powered research-based residential campus, operating from twin locations; a residential campus surrounded by acres of lush green based in the former satellite Earth Station in Padukka and a city campus located at TRACE Expert City Colombo. The university maintains academic and research affiliations with world-class institutions such as Auckland University New Zealand, Lancaster University UK, Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai, Modul University Austria, RMIT Vietnam and Australia, James Cook University Singapore, and Deakin University Australia.

ECONOMYNEXT – Associated Electrical Corporation Limited and Tempest PE Partners who acquired Sri Lanka Technological Campus from Sri Lanka Telecom has injected 290 million rupees in equity grow it, a statement said. SLTC runs a fully residential campus on a 35-acre property in Padukka with modern buildings. The university offers 25 undergraduate programs in Engineering, Technology, IT, Business and Music with an academic staff of over 200.T The new team plans to set up a city campus. It is run an independent Academic Council. “SLTC has developed a strong and progressive academic and management team,” Ajita De Zoysa, Chairman of Associated Electrical Corporation Limited said. “The investor consortium believes that through their collective experience and leadership across multiple industry sectors, they could add significant value to produce innovative, focused, and employable students who will contribute greatly to Sri Lanka. “Collectively, all stakeholders believe that SLTC can become one of the leading engineering universities in the region, in addition to developing much needed competencies in fields related to applied sciences, ICT, technology and business.” The consortium that bought the university includes tJetwing Group, Finco Holdings, Perera & Sons (P&S), ManSek Investments & Insite Holdings. Tempest PE is a joint venture between Sri Lanka’s Capital Alliance and Insite Holdings. Chehan Perera, Managing Director of Tempest PE Partners said education is a key area that the firm wanted to develop. “One of the main attractions of SLTC is the academic structure of the campus, which is overseen by an independent Academic Council, with strong academic teams in place across five disciplines,” Perera said. “Working closely with the management, we will look to expand the reach of SLTC and leverage its strong academic infrastructure to set up a City Campus, where we can develop exciting foreign partnership programs, leveraging our relationships with leading education groups overseas.” “I have long believed the entire landscape of higher education in Sri Lanka needs a complete overhaul, including the programs, the curricula, the entire pedagogy, and especially the attitudes of all stakeholders,” Founder President and Chief Executive of SLTC Ranjith Rubasinghe said. “SLTC intends to be an exemplary leader in the higher education sector and will embrace and effect such change. “This cannot be done without sufficient freedom for academic governance and management, and with this transaction, I believe we are witnessing a first of a kind in the nation, where SLTC will transform into an education institute that is run by its Academic Council.” NDB Investment Bank were side financial advisors to the deal generating investor interest. Nithya Partners were legal advisors to the buyer and D L & F De Saram advised the seller. (Colombo/Jan29/2021)