In a significant move towards fostering academic excellence and accessibility, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), affiliated to the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the International Campus of Science and Technology (ICST) in Punani Batticaloa.
Under the MoU signed by PIM Director Dr. Senaka Kelum Gamage and ICST Chairman Eng. Hiras Hizbullah, PIM will offer its programmes at ICST to enhance the quality of Education and Research in the region.
The MoU was witnessed by PIM Director Designate Dr. Asanga Ranasinghe, ICST Vice Chancellor Prof. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera and ICST Founder, former Eastern Province (EP) Governor Dr. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah.
“Aspiring professionals from the EP and other Provinces can now seize the opportunity to enroll for PIM’s Postgraduate Diploma and Masters Degrees offered at ICST,” he added. Speaking at the signing ceremony, representatives from both institutions expressed their commitment to fostering a culture of academic excellence and inclusivity.
The newly established ICST in Batticaloa, is currently holding orientation programmes for students. It has the capacity to host more than 10,000 students and, when fully functioning, is slated to be Sri Lanka’s largest private University.’
The Institution, earlier known as the Batticaloa Campus, has now been renamed and duly incorporated as the ICST. It has three Lecture halls that can accommodate 200 students each, 14 Lecture halls that can accommodate 80 students each, eight Laboratories with modern facilities, 150 rooms to accommodate academic, non-academic staff, and hostel facilities for more than 1,000 students, and extra-curricular activities.
The University was under the control of the Government and the military for almost four years. It was taken over by the Government in 2020 in the wake of the unrest following the 2019 Easter Attacks, and later became a treatment centre for Covid-19 patients. According to its founder Dr. Hizbullah, the University was initiated with the noble goal of providing Higher Education to students in multiple fields, while taking into consideration the demands of an ever-changing Labour market. It was handed back to him with the intervention of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The University will offer Graduate and Post-graduate studies in AI, Engineering, IT, Architecture, Law, Tourism, Business Management, Agricultural Technology, Resource Management. Courses will be offered at concessionary rates and Dr. Hizbullah expects to establish a fund to provide Scholarships for children of low-income families.
Former Competent Authority of National Paper Co. Ltd., Mangala Senarath, associated with the EP for a long period as a businessman, politician and administrator, and played a key role in handing back the University to Dr. Hizbullah, welcomed the MoU as a step in further broad basing ICST’s academic pursuits.
He also appreciated the President’s efforts to encourage private investments in Education and other spheres and also handing over the ICST back to its founder.
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