Empowering Lives, and Building a Brighter Future
highlighted the strategic advantage presented by Sri Lanka's position as a pivotal shipping hub between the East and West. Additionally, there was a commitment to increasing Australian investment in Sri Lanka, with specific emphasis on sectors such as resources and energy.
“In Australia, the Sri Lankan students will find a very welcoming society, fantastic lifestyle but most important, a good education – which is what Australian universities provide. Sri Lankan students fit very well into the Australian universities, but also in the broader society” he said.
Thereafter, Dr. Kennedy spoke to the crowd and made special mention about the friendliness of Flinders and the warm welcoming community in the impeccable surrounding. “I often think of Flinders as Koalas and quality!” she quipped, adding that it shouldn’t however distract us from Flinders being all about high quality and attracts the very best from all around the world. “Australia and Sri Lanka are neighbours, separated by nothing but the large ocean” she added. Australia is home to 150,000 Sri Lankans at the moment. “Australia only has 43 universities, 3 are in the top 20, 9 in the top 100 and all but a handful of Australian universities are in the top 500. Flinders University holds its place strongly in this league of high-quality universities.”
“We are here to make new partnerships, revive old partnerships and look at what Finders can offer in Sri Lanka and to students back in Adelaide” stated Mr. Sebastian Raneskold. “Sri Lankan students come to us and do extremely well” he also added that there is a growth of 192% in Sri Lankan students from the previous year. This is reflective of not only the postpandemic era, but also reflective of the work done in Sri Lanka as well as word of mouth from Sri Lankan students already at the university.
The event was made memorable with numerous dance acts, scrumptious food and fireworks that brightened the night sky.
Flinders University South Asia Partner Retreat
The South Asian partner retreat held at
Avani Kalutara from the 24th to the 26th of November was a momentous event, as Adelaide partners from Sri Lanka (23), Nepal (12), Pakistan (12), and Bangladesh (15) came together for networking and knowledge sharing. The retreat commenced with a gala welcome dinner, after which the next day was spent at an informative and interactive conference, in which Flinders senior staff shared insights about the expected change of education landscape in Adelaide South Australia, and how to capitalize on opportunities together. Participants were awarded certificates of appreciation, and also engaged in competitions that resulted in being awarded country specific awards.
Special mention must be made of the updates shared on Flinders, including the new city campus in the heart of the Adelaide city. Surrounded by key arts, business, sports and government institutions, Flinders at Festival Plaza sits at the epicentre of Adelaide’s most vibrant and connected cultural hub. The custom designed building will accommodate 7000 students across its eight floors.
It was also reiterated that Flinders is the only university to have an in-built pathway provider in South Australia.
The participants also enjoyed fun team building games such as a tower building competition using spaghetti that challenge their creative thinking and analytical skills, as well as exciting water sports before concluding the retreat.