Quality Tertiary Education to Prosper Your Future at BCAS
The British College of Applied Studies, commonly known as BCAS Campus is a private tertiary education provider established in 1999. Since its inception, the institute has transformed into a leading vocational and tertiary training provider in Sri Lanka, with a student centric approach. Prof.Kshanika Hirimburegama- Dean- Academic Affairs at BCAS spoke about the institute and the advantages students receive by selecting BCAS.
Prof Hirimburegama has led an illustrious career within the Sri Lankan education system, being the first lady Chairperson of the University Grants Commission in Sri Lanka and the Former Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo. As such, she has a treasure trove of knowledge and experience regarding the country’s tertiary education system and she sees that there are numerous positive aspects to be found in the courses offered by BCAS.
While state universities offer highly recognized degrees, not every student can enter a state university and a large number of students find their aspirations to enter a state university barred once their A/L results are released. While some students have the opportunity to pursue their tertiary education outside Sri Lanka, there are still a significantly large number of students who cannot afford to go abroad. For such students, as well as students who do not want to go abroad, finding a private tertiary education provider is the viable option.
As an ISO 9001: 2008 certified institution, BCAS maintains the highest level of quality and standards across all their courses. In addition, Prof Hirimburegama stated that the quality of BCAS is also maintained by Edexcel now Pearson, USand BCAS partner University of Wolverhampton and London South Bank University,UK- which is in turn associated with the UK Quality Assurance Agency. Each program delivered by BCAS is inspected biannually, both external verifications and internal verifications to assure consistency in quality.
BCAS has eight campusesspread throughout the country; Colombo, Mount Lavinia, Kandy, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kalmunai and Kurunegala and an oversea center in Doha Qata. While students around the country can complete the first two years of their HND programme at the campus nearest to their homes, they can come to Colombo only to complete their top up degree.
BCAS offers more than 15 programs, among which courses in law, biomedical science, IT, business management and MBA courses are vastly popular among students. Another advantage that students receive is that they can complete their BTEC HND and take a break, get employed and come back later to get their top-up degree offered by BCAS’ partner university, the University of Wolverhampton and London South Bank University.
BCAS is also the first private institute to offer the Quantity Survey courses which still has sustained a high demand. BCAS also has a branch in Qatar, which means that once students complete their BTEC HND programme, they can migrate to Qatar, become employed and complete the top-up degree.
BCAS offers quality tertiary education programs at an economical rate, so that students can receive a quality education, build a career for themselves and transform their lives easily without incurring heavy debts.
There are weekend programs targeted towards working students as well as a programme catering to stu- dents pending their O/L or A/L examination results, Access which combines IT and Englishis very important for students to upgrade their knowledge in English and IT.
The student oriented top-up degree is taught by permanent lecturers as well as industry experts whose qualifications are accepted by the University of Wolverhampton. UK academics too arrive to deliver a few modules for the top-up degree.
BCAS also offers postgraduate and MSc programmes and Prof Hirimburegama stated that the institute is planning to introduce PhD programs in the near future.
When it comes to biomedical science research, the research is supervised externally, by professors associated with state universities. “Research is good,” Prof Hirimburegama said, “especially in IT”. When it comes to publication, BCAS began research symposium last year and is planning an international research symposium in collaboration with the partner university this year.
Should the student wish to transfer to a university abroad to complete the university, BCAS facilitates the transfer.
Prof Hirimburegama also stated that BCAS has produced a number of entrepreneurs especially in the IT sector who have gone on to establish their own companies.
“It’s a good system,” she said, “and because of that, opportunities are expanded. And almost everyone is employed”. In conclusion, she spoke about the importance of providing a quality education for the students so that they have the necessary tools to improve their lives.