Challenges set the pace for Excellence! UCL Graduation Ceremony of the University of Central Lancashire in Sri Lanka

Offering a glimpse to education excellence and creating challenges that are catalyst for embracing change, the UCL Graduation Ceremony of the University of Central Lancashire in Sri Lanka was held at the Monarch Imperial to a glittering audience of graduates, parents, invitees and representatives of the University of Central Lancashire and UCL on 29th November 2022.

“Congratulations!” was in order for the Graduates who had been tested by the cataclysms of change, inclusive of Covid-19, transition from physical to on-line education and missing the key element of the student-centric atmosphere that UCL is reputed for. The Graduating Class of 2022 responded to these challenges positively with 80% of the Graduates achieving

First Class and Second

Class Upper Division Honours.

CEO of UCL Mr.

Gihan Silva gave a warm, exuberant and fitting welcome to the august audience, declaring his pleasure that an event of this magnitude was essentially symbolic of the ethos of quality that UCL was well-known for in the education market. He also mentioned that it was a matter of pride that UCLan recognised UCL as their best international partner to offer the prestigious University of Central Lancashire degrees, the BA (Hons) International Business and the BSc. (Hons) Software Engineering in Sri Lanka signifying quality par excellence.

Dr. Harsha Alles, Director UCL, in his speech commended the grit and perseverance in ensuring that the students stuck to their goals and reached the finale of their studies. He was extremely appreciative of the parents who he opined had been patient during this tumultuous time.

Keynote speeches by the designated speakers all resonated the same ethos of rising above challenges, being resilient and achieving goals amid myriad societal changes.

This year’s UCLan Graduation Ceremony witnessed the participation of Prof. Robin Carey, Head of School of the Lancashire School of Business and Enterprise and Mr. Paul Rowe, Director of International

Partnerships of the University of Central Lancashire UK, who were welcomed in the

best of Sri Lankan tradition.

Prof. Robin Carey, who was the chief guest at the occasion, was complimentary in his speech to the way UCL conducted its academic degree programmes, stating that, “Sri Lanka was the best International Partner to work with”. This high recommendation symbolises the commitment and relentless drive that UCL has in producing world-class graduates, who will in turn become future global leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs. Recounting his humble origins, to working in world-renowned brands in the ilk of Sunday Times, BBC and the University of Central Lancashire, Prof. Carey succinctly said that, “It was education that made the difference!”

This was espoused by Mr. Steven Enderby, Director of UCL, who in his adroit and interesting speech encapsulated the drive, vision and mission that UCL propounded, to being recognised as the leader in quality transnational education in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Dhananjay Kulkarni opened and closed the event formally, as the Dean of Academic Affairs, whilst appreciating the unstinted support of the lecture panel in enacting their role as quality lecturers, motivators and care-givers in an era of uncertainty. He encouraged the Graduates to demonstrate their gratitude to the parents who have made many a sacrifice on behalf of them.

The Valedictorian Nathali Gunasekara, spoke on behalf of all her fellow-graduates highlighting the ups and downs of a truly memorable era in which determination and courage ensured that they all reached their final goal. She made special mention of the dedicated panel of lecturers who epitomised their true calling of being great educators, and their parents who had faith in them.

Special mention should be made of the Software Engineering Graduate Shenal Vanderwall who presented a research paper at the 6th International Conference on Information Systems and Data Mining 2022 in the Silicon Valley, USA and has created a unique online learning management system, Meeedly, to improve the monitoring of online learning and enhance the student engagement experience. Since our last graduation, UCLan Graduates have also presented papers at international research conference in the Netherlands, China and India.

The event concluded with the “hurrah” of the graduation hats being doffed to the air, and a salutation to the national flags of Sri Lanka and the Union Jack. The graduates will envision to compete on a global platform in their careers in their chosen industries armed with positive attitudes and youthful ambitions.