The Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), United Kingdom, have inaugurated SLIIT International in collaboration with LJMU, a dedicated international learning facility located at No. 17, Dickmans Road, Colombo 4.
The inauguration marks a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between SLIIT and LJMU, which has continued for more than a decade. The collaboration aims to provide Sri Lankan students with access to internationally recognised UK higher education qualifications while allowing them to pursue their studies locally.
The grand opening ceremony was attended by British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick as the chief guest, together with senior representatives from SLIIT, LJMU, the British Council, academia, industry and other stakeholders. The event marked a new chapter in the institutions’ long-standing academic collaboration.
The newly opened facility is significant as Sri Lanka’s first academic facility dedicated exclusively to the delivery of LJMU degree programmes. It reflects the continued development of the partnership and its focus on strengthening access to UK higher education in Sri Lanka.
Over the past decade, the SLIIT-LJMU partnership has built a growing network of more than 1,500 alumni. Through the collaboration, Sri Lankan students have been able to pursue internationally recognised UK qualifications without having to leave the country.
The new facility has been designed specifically to support LJMU programmes and provide students with a dedicated learning environment. It is expected to support the future expansion of programmes while enhancing the overall student experience. The facility will also create opportunities for deeper academic collaboration between the two institutions, including research, innovation and student engagement.
SLIIT Vice-Chancellor, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Prof. Lalith Gamage said the launch represents a new chapter in the long-standing partnership with LJMU.
“Our vision is to provide the Sri Lankan students with a world-class education and student experience right here in Sri Lanka, while equipping them with the global outlook, critical thinking, professional capabilities and career readiness required to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world. This dedicated facility strengthens the student experience while providing a strong foundation for the continued growth of our collaboration with LJMU,” he said.
LJMU Society and Culture Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof. Timothy Nichol described the opening as an important milestone for both the university and its partnership with SLIIT.
“The opening of Sri Lanka’s first facility dedicated exclusively to LJMU degree programmes represents a significant milestone for the university and our partnership with SLIIT. It reflects the strength of our collaboration and our shared commitment to delivering a high-quality LJMU educational experience in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Prof. Nichol added that the new facility would create opportunities for greater academic collaboration, innovation, research and student engagement as the partnership enters its next phase.
A key feature of the opening ceremony was a panel discussion titled ‘Beyond Borders: The Role of British Higher Education in Developing Globally Competitive Graduates’. The discussion explored the expansion of international education opportunities in Sri Lanka and the future development of UK degree programmes.
The panel also examined issues surrounding the quality and integrity of UK qualifications, the development of future-ready graduates with global competencies and the role of international higher education in strengthening graduate employability.
The establishment of SLIIT International in collaboration with LJMU further builds on the institutions’ decade-long academic relationship, while creating a dedicated platform for expanding international higher education opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
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