IIHS pathways in Physiotherapy transforming young Sri Lankan students
Qualified Physiotherapists can work in a wide range of community and hospital settings and have a high professional demand worldwide. Whilst being in the health industry is extremely rewarding, the salary and allowance benefits serve as an incentive for Physiotherapists to remain in the profession and serve the community for generations. Physiotherapists also contribute to a variety of areas such as industrial and automobile accidents, sports injuries, physical disabilities, home care and geriatric IIHS provides pathways to major universities in the world to provide Physiotherapy students with the prospect of studying in 3 of the world’s most recognized universities. The IIHS affiliations between The State University of New York, Coventry University United Kingdom and the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences allows students to continue their learning experiences in 3 very credible and learning centers.
IIHS boasts its latest partnership with Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences based in Finland to offer young Physiotherapy students a pathway to obtaining a Bachelors in Physiotherapy Degree. The Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences has four fields of study - namely, technology, health care and services, economics and business administration and culture. The new and competitive higher education institute, which measures up to international standards, specializes in innovation and cater for the special needs of the metropolitan area. Finland is renowned for its high standards in providing quality education and the training programs involve close cooperation with businesses and the labour market. Ms. Samitha Jayalath, a new graduate of IIHS who currently holds a Diploma in Physiotherapy will be the very first student of IIHS to continue her higher education at the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Samitha, an alumni of Viharamahadevi Vidyalaya and the most outstanding student of the Advanced Diploma in Physiotherapy Program at IIHS for 2016m states, “In addition to the current Physiotherapy pathways to United Kingdom and United States of America that exist at IIHS, IIHS has now provided students in Sri Lanka with the opportunity to pursue their studies in Finland whilst experiencing the European culture and having the opportunity to of travel around the historically and culturally rich continent. In addition Samitha, Mr. Pavan Bandara, another graduate from the Advanced Diploma in Physiotherapy and an alumni from D.S Senanayake College will be migrating to Finalnd in 2017 to pursue his Bachelor in Physiotherapy Degree at The Helsinki Metroplia University of Applied Sciences.
Mr. Chathuran Herath, and alumni of IIHS is currently residing in New York and is employed at the outpatients departments at the SMILES Physical Therapy Center in Brooklyn alongside 7 IIHS alumna. Chathuran followed a pathway to State University, New York (SUNY Canton) which consisted of 2 years at IIHS followed by 1.5 years at SUNY Canton, USA which awarded him an Associate Degree in Physical Therapy. Upon completion of the Associate Degree in USA students are eligible to sit for the National Licensing Examination (PTA) to obtain license to practice as an Assistant Physical Therapist in USA. This would provide an academic pathway to a Bachelor’s Degree and Doctor of Physical Therapy in USA with international employability with high salary scales. Mr. Chathuran Herath states, “I am currently employed as a Physical Therapist in New York. My childhood dream was to be a doctor, but I realized my true potential once I commenced the Advanced Diploma in Physiotherapy at IIHS. IIHS provided me the opportunity to propel into the global health care workforce and I have gained immense experience and foreign exposure from my current position”.
This pathway that Coventry University offers via IIHS is financially attractive for students as the cost saving aspect of the course is exceptionally noticeable. On average, to complete a course of this nature in the United Kingdom would cost a student approximately Rs. 30 Lakhs per year. However, if the student opts to follow this pathway through IIHS the entire cost for 3 years would amount to approximately Rs. 8 Lakhs. This pathway consists of a 3 year Advanced Diploma in Physiotherapy at IIHS followed by 1 year at Coventry University, UK where the student will obtain a Masters in Physiotherapy Degree upon completion of the course.
Ms. Ayodhya Karunaratne, alumni of IIHS has very recently graduated from Coventry University with a Masters in Physiotherapy Degree. The Advanced Diploma in Physiotherapy offered by IIHS guided Ayodhya in the direction of research where the young scholar learnt the fine art of linking theory to current evidence based practice. To date, Ayodhya has presented at the Physiotherapy and Trade Conference, (United Kingdom), Annual Global Health Conference (Singapore) and the World Physiotherapy Conference, (Singapore). Additionally, her research was selected to be presented in 2015 at the research conference by Sri Lanka Medical Association. Ayodhya’s research subsequently has been highlighted and published in numerous IIHS journals which not only marks her academic feats, but also has succeeded in inspiring fellow students. Ayodhya states, “I have completed my Masters Degree at a very young age and I now have employment opportunities globally. I am thankful for my time at IIHS as it served as a major launching pad for my career”
Dr Kithsiri Edirisinghe, (CEO – IIHS) states, “This is a regional university center for many of our partners and we transform students to work in the real world. These students have achieved their goals at a very young age and the affiliations we have with the above mentioned foreign institutes have assisted these students to access the global health care market. The studentcentric academic approach that IIHS uses, has its short term merits during the students’ time at IIHS, but it has proven to yield bigger results in the long term personally and professionally. Students like Ayodhya and Samitha excelled in research and the scientific process, thereby outrivaling those at a similar or higher standard through their acute talent and dynamic personalities. As academics it is important to create critically thinking unique students who accept challenges and are on a constant quest for information. We try to enable this process at IIHS”. Intake is now on for the 2017 batch for the Advanced Diploma in Physiotherapy with limited seats. For further information visit us at Head Office – No 704, Negombo Road, Wattala or City Center -No 5/1, 329, Meewella Building, Bambaplapitiya, Colombo 04 or call 0114 651144, 0766568353 and 0766 566078 email : info@iihsciences.edu.lk.