Nawaloka College and Swinburne University Embark on Ground breaking US Transfer Programme
In yet another ground breaking initiative embarked upon by Nawaloka College of Higher Studies (NCHS) and Swinburne University of Technology (SUT), one of the most popular universities in the USA, California State University Monterey Bay inked a unique partnership embarking on transfer programs for students in Sri Lanka. NCHS undoubtedly reflects the visionary leadership espoused by its parent Nawaloka Holdings, a leading conglomerate spanning healthcare, construction, manufacturing, trading and aviation, by launching pioneering initiatives into the higher education sphere as well. Enabling Sri Lankan students for the very first time to embark on a 2+2 university program in Business and IT degrees from this university which is accredited by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges, Sri Lankan students can now become part of a global fraternity of nearly 7000 students. Located a short drive away from the iconic powerhouses of San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles, CSUMB works on the apt slogan of, ‘The 21st campus for the 21st century’, distinguishing itself through its outcome based education model, constructed on a holistic platform of competency and concentration.
Being a first in the higher education sphere where a tripartite agreement has been signed to ensure complete commitment in all dynamics pertaining to the degree programmes, Dean of the College of Extended Education & International Programs of CSUMB Timothy Angle, who signed the agreement with the Chairman of Nawaloka Holdings and NCHS Jayantha Dharmadasa, said, “The power of an internationalized institution lies in this basic but critical connection of worldviews and we are proud to deliver on this promise through this unique pathway program.” He went on to state that, “A successfully internationalized institution depends chiefly on collaborative and amicable partnerships between parties who are motivated to cooperatively improve the academic pursuits of students worldwide. At the CSUMB College of Extended Education and International Programs, it has always been our primary goal to forge relationships with strong, reputable partners who share our values, and it is in testament to this priority that we gladly unite with Nawaloka College of Higher Studies and Swinburne University.”
Echoing these sentiments, Chief Guest Minister of Higher Education and Research Dr Sarath Amunugama believes that with higher education being a primary contributor to develop Sri Lanka’s capital resources for national progress, the fact that 12,000 students leave Sri Lanka for higher education deprives the country of Rs 12 Bn. “This drain on valuable foreign exchange is assuaged with institutions like Nawaloka College of Higher Studies bringing together inputs of foreign investment, modern technology and knowledge into our higher educational system. This will enable Sri Lanka to produce skilled and enterprising graduates in vital competencies.”
In his welcome address, CEO/ Executive Director of NCHS Victor Rajeevan noted that NCHS in its short span of less than one year has been instrumental in not only enabling Sri Lankan students to pursue reputed Australian degree programs in Sri Lanka, but has now introduced a transfer program with a leader in high quality accessible student focused higher education by way of CSUMB. “The uniqueness of Nawaloka College is that it is directly linked to the parent universities in Australia and USA. Thus the program structures, curriculum assessment systems, program commencement and completion times are standardized and maintained on par with the parent universities.”
Guest of Honour and Charge’ d’ Affaires a.i. of the US Embassy in Sri Lanka Allison Areias Vogel, while congratulating both NCHS and SUT, opined that by facilitating entry into the US university system, which is widely recognised as the best in the world, both NCHS and SUT have paved the pathway for Sri Lankan students to gain access to not only outstanding academics, but also develop leadership, teamwork, innovation, and entrepreneurship. “All these are critical skills to succeed in the global economy. Last year, approximately 900,000 international students studied in U.S. universities, of which almost 3000 were from Sri Lanka,” she said adding that Sri Lankan students have excelled across many spheres of undergraduate and postgraduate study in the US.