SLIIT makes history with the 2023 QS Asia University Ranking
The Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), the pre-eminent nonstate higher education institution in Sri Lanka, made history when Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) recently announced the results of its 2023 Ranking of The Best Universities in Asia. SLIIT is the first-ever non-state university to get formally ranked in one of the top three world university rankings. QS, THE (Times Higher Education) and AWRU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) are the world’s most selective university rankings based on the quality and impact of academic programmes, scholarly work, students and staff and other critical elements. SLIIT and six Sri Lankan state universities are included in the 2023 QS Asian Universities Ranking (QS-AUR). SLIIT is also among the top 200 universities in South Asia, including institutions from India, Iran, Pakistan and Bangladesh. SLIIT’s ranking reflects its increasing academic and employee reputation, cutting-edge curricula, faculty with PhD qualifications, research output, internationalization, academic infrastructure and other factors QS considers. The ranking criteria have been developed with input from regional experts and relevant stakeholders to accurately reflect the critical performance factors of Asian higher education institutions.
Starting from a modest beginning in 1999 with just over three hundred students, SLIIT has grown over two decades to become the country’s leader in providing access to high-quality university education to many aspiring youths. It has an unmatched list of international partner universities, including the University of Queensland, Manchester Metropolitan University and Liverpool John Moores University. It has received international accreditation for its programmes from prestigious professional bodies such as the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Royal Institute of British Architects of the UK.
Commenting on this important milestone of becoming the first non-state Sri Lankan university to enter the QS ranking, Prof. Lalith Gamage, MD/CEO of SLIIT, mentioned, ‘This is a tremendous achievement, and our staff and students deserve credit for this recognition. We will continue prioritizing student experience, scholarships and bursaries, high-quality research, highend recruitment, knowledge transfer and internationalisation to serve the country during this critical period. What SLIIT has achieved with this ranking is unparalleled in the history of the higher education sector of Sri Lanka. It shows that high-quality private universities can be home-grown, stand tall along with the state institutions and offer excellent opportunities to Sri Lankan youth without draining foreign exchange. SLIIT is an inclusive institution and welcomes students from all corners of the country. Our student scholarship and tuition support is nearly Rs. 300 hundred million rupees annually.”
Prof. Rahula Attalage, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic), shared his thoughts on this achievement, “To be ranked among the most prestigious Asian Universities by QS in 2023 is an honour we cherish and are proud of. This validates the high standards of the educational programme, the prestige of the institution, the quality of our academic and research output, and the marketability and employability of our graduates. These credible rankings are a helpful resource for students looking to make an informed decision about where to enrol for their degrees. By comparing credible international rankings such as QS, students can determine which institutions provide the best education and research opportunities in their field of interest and meet the international quality levels.”
SLIIT collaborates with prestigious international universities and industry partners to offer a wide range of programmes that can be completed locally or internationally. It has programmes in Information Technology, Business, Engineering, Architecture and Humanities and Sciences, including Law, Biotechnology, Psychology, etc., to provide the best opportunities for the next generation. SLIIT has world-renowned scholars who contribute to postgraduate programmes and undertake cutting-edge research. Its industry network and graduate employability rates are among the best in the country and region.