Holistic Education -Victoria Higher Education Campus

The Victoria Higher Education Campus (VHEC) prides itself on its high ethical standards and excellence in teaching. VHEC does not just talk about excellence and quality, it is an innate characteristic and practising ethos within the organisation that permeates throughout and shows itself in its a c t i o n s, o p e r at i o n s and VHEC’seducation. We at VHEC actually do what we say – not hollow, shallow words. A consistent characteristic that marks out VHECdifferent from the others.

At VHEC we include additional student training and courses over and above the official requirements of the internal degree programmes we offer from the University of Greenwich, London. In this wayVHECstrives to cultivate wellrounded individuals with not only strong academic skills and knowledge, but also general skills for life and work. Some have referred to this responsible approach to education and the development of young people as holistic.

Holistic education aims at helping students to be the most that they can be. Education with a holistic perspective is concerned with the development of a person’s social, intellectual, emotional, physical and creative potentials. Holistic education is also considered a thoughtful response to the ecological, cultural and moral challenges of our age. It aims to inspire young people to live wisely and responsibly in a sustainable and compassionate way, and to be positive contributors to their community and society as a w h o l e . I t seeks to engage students in the teaching/ learning process and encourages personal and collective responsibility.

Responsible educationists understand why we should care about the personal, emotional and societal needs of the younger generation. The University of Greenwich and VHEC address these needs through additional courses and special lectures, extracurricular activities, its culture ofrespect for others and a positive attitude to learning, and by embedding certain learning attributes into the actual courses and programmes. These characteristics are referred to by the University of Greenwich as the “Greenwich Graduate Attributes”. These are sub-divided into three main categories: Scholarship and Autonomy, Creativity and Enterprise, and Cross- cultural and International Awareness.

Scholarship and Autonomy Have an informed understanding of their discipline or professional practice, and the ability to question its principles, practices and boundaries; Think independently, analytically and creatively, and engage imaginatively with new areas of investigation; Appreciate disciplines and forms of professional practice beyond their own, and draw connections between them; Are intellectually curious, responsive to challenges, and demonstrate initiative and resilience.

Creativity and Enterprise Recognise and create opportunities, and respond effectively to unfamiliar or unprecedented situations or problems;

Generate new ideas and develop creative solutions or syntheses;

Communicate clearly and effectively, in a range of forms, taking account of different audiences;

Make use of familiar and emerging

information and communication technologies; Seize and shape the opportunities open to them after graduation.

Cross-cultural International Awareness Engage effectively in groups whose members are from diverse backgrounds; Appreciate the importance of behaving sustainably; Move fluently between different cultural, social and political contexts; Value the ability to communicate in more than one language. Thus VHEC graduates will have a global outlook, be confident, distinctive, knowledgeable and respectful; always learning, always developing.

You’ll find that the above is just another example of whyVHEC is different and why you can trust your career with us. Whilst everyone will agree that employability after graduation is a significant aspect of studying with us, there are other less obvious attributes, which are important nevertheless, and often ignored by other institutions. These personal and life-skills attributes are also key to your future success and happiness.

Why not visit VHEC and discuss how we can help you to achieve your life ambitions. The Victoria Higher Education Campus can be found at our modern complex in the centre of Colombo on 498 R.A. De Mel Mawatha ( formerly Duplication Rd.), Colombo 03, near the British Council premises, or call 0115 97- 97- 97 and make an appointment.

and www.vhec.edu.lk www.facebook.com/ vhecsl * info@vhec.edu.lk