Next Campus launches “Skye” – Sri Lanka’s first Pre-University College
Bridging the skills gap between School and University : NEXT Campus, having carved a niche for itself in empowering young executives with knowledge, skills and competencies for successful careers, through their affiliations with premier universities and innovative teaching methodologies, has once again embarked on a new journey, to deliver a value based holistic secondary school education for students post Ordinary Level looking for an superior equivalent to A Levels that will grant them entry to the finest universities in the world , through the launch of the very first Pre University College in the country –SKYE . Education for the real world: :Director Kumudu Abeyawardane stated, “We realize the importance of Pre-University Education and how crucial the final two years of school education is in a student’s life. It is in these two years that one strengthens the foundation for future pursuits and where students need to be given the right direction to bring out the best in their talents and help them identify their career pathways. Therefore, the mission of SKYE is to mold, inspire, ignite and nurture young minds and give them the “wings to fly “to be the next crop of leaders of our country.
Beyond Academics: Head of School Mr. Nilanka Imbuldeniya added “When a student completes their Ordinary Level Examination’s they should ideally pick their Advanced Level subjects to complement and bring value to both their choice of higher education and career aspirations. At SKYE, we will guide these students to make the right choice, so that their pre-university education will be a platform for them to apply for a University of their choice. This will be supported by a meticulously integrated program of academic and life skills that provides the proficiencies and competencies, that prepare students to be, in a position to apply for any top ranked university anywhere in the world. This highly tailored and holistic program starts from the moment a student walks into SKYE to the day they graduate and enter their life in higher education.We teach students important skills such as academic writing and research, as well as assisting with the application process to top tier universities. Through this process, we ensure that not only will our students get the best opportunity to enter into the University of their choice but also be guided on the to the right universities to pick based on their career aspirations.
SKYE has currently formed affiliations with the University of London and the University of New South Wales,( UNSW), both of which are ranked amongst the Best Universities in the world. Therefore both their foundation programs are accepted by any top university in the world, including Ivy League Universities in the US, Russell Group Universities in the UK and GO8 Universities in Australia. All universities consider both programs to be the equivalent of A-Levels. However, unlike A-Levels, these pre-university programmes can be finished in one year.
In order to obtain the accreditation to represent these Universities, NEXT Campus underwent a rigorous screening process .in terms of their facilities , teaching methodologies, teaching staff , teacher to student ratio and student welfare, all of which needed to be in line to match the high standards and expectations of both Universities.
Helping produce the next crop of leaders: Based on these criteria, Nilanka further explained “Success at SKYE will not be defined only in terms of academic excellence. While we will never compromise on academics, we will be also direct our efforts in producing future leaders who have a combination of academic eminence and crosscurrents of knowledge combined with intellect, creativity, analytical, critical thinking and other important soft skills essential in an increasingly dynamic world.”
SKYE’s mission is to not just mentor but motivate and not just help educate but also enable students to evolve into leaders, SKYE hopes to be the benchmark for many other pre university colleges that will crop up in the country in the near future.