Marking yet another landmark in increasing internationalisation of higher education in Sri Lanka, Staffordshire University, a leading university in the United Kingdom, opened a permanent office in Colombo to promote its academic programmes and enrol students for study at its campuses in the UK.  The ‘Staffordshire University Sri Lanka Office’ has been established at the Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) City Campus premises at 388, Union Place Colombo.  The opening ceremony was held on Friday, 11th April 2008 at 6.30pm amongst a cross section of invitees from the education and corporate sectors.  Staffordshire University was represented by Professor Peter Reynolds, Director of the International Office and Dr. Hamish Main, Director of South Asian Partnerships.

This appears to be the first instance that a foreign university has set up an office in Sri Lanka for the sole purpose of promoting its study programmes and facilitating enrolment and transfer of students to study on home campus.  Staffordshire University has an enduring collaborative partnership with APIIT-Sri Lanka and offers several degree programmes in Computing and Business Management through the APIIT City Campus in Colombo.

Welcoming the guests, Dr. Athula Pitigala-Arachchi, CEO of APIIT- Sri Lanka, elaborated on the longstanding relationship between APIIT and Staffordshire University and stated that APIIT was pleased to play host to and support the operation of the University Office in Sri Lanka.  Dr. Pitigala-Arachchi said that the opening of the Staffordshire University Office strengthens and extends the collaborative partnership between Staffordshire University and APIIT.  He expressed confidence that APIIT will be able to offer more Staffordshire University degree programmes in Colombo while simultaneously facilitating the transfer of increasing numbers of students to study at Staffordshire University in the UK.

Professor Peter Reynolds, speaking on behalf of Staffordshire University, said that the University was pleased to work with APIIT, a reputable higher education institute committed to high standards and quality of education.

He thanked APIIT for providing the infrastructure facilities and resources to sustain the Sri Lanka operation.  He explained that the sole purpose of the Sri Lanka Office would be to provide detailed information to students about the academic programmes available at the Staffordshire University campuses in the UK so that the students can make informed choices about higher studies and future careers.  The office will also counsel prospective students on admission requirements, visa processing, accommodation in the UK and financial matters.

Staffordshire University was established in the early 1990s and has evolved into one of the UK’s most dynamic, progressive and forward-thinking learning institutions. Always quick to adapt as student requirements change, it has been acknowledged for its fresh approaches for learning such as the highly competitive two year degrees, introduction of tailor made programmes for the fast growing global requirements and unmatched modern facilities. With a variety of 800 courses, the University has become renowned for its groundbreaking new courses and first-class learning opportunities for both local and international students. The highly active student support service makes life of international students not only easy but quite enjoyable too with their support extending to almost all the requirements of students before, on and after their arrival in the UK.