Lancashire University in Rs 5 billion project
Focused on entrepreneurial needs:
Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI
The construction of the first research based UK university in Sri
Lanka is expected to commence this year on a 200 acre land. The project
will have Rs 35 billion transaction value and create more than 3,000
employment opportunities other than academic jobs.
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UK delegation Head and CEO Ian Robertson with Uva Wellassa
University Vice-Chancellor Chandra Embuldeniya. Picture by
Lalith Gamage |
A high powered delegation from Uclan (Overseas Limited) University of
Central Lancashire CEO Ian Robertson arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday to
make the official announcement on the Pounds 30,000 million investment
which is a BOI project.
The Central Lancashire University is a leading UK university widely
regarded for international research partnerships in 17 different
countries.
Robertson told Daily News Business that following initial discussions
he had with Uva Wellassa University Vice-Chancellor Chandra Embuldeniya
two years ago regarding this project, a survey conducted revealed that
Sri Lanka is a source of talents with huge potential to become an
education hub in the region.
The university will be named as Uclan Sri Lanka.
A lot of work has been completed by now including the concept,
designs, programs and he appreciated the interest and attitude of the
Sri Lankan Government to have a unique university focused on the
entrepreneurial needs of the country that could be extended to global
needs.
This university will add new knowledge to the country and generate
intellectual properties, Robertson said.
Robertson said the international demand for education is growing
rapidly and the industry will have to play a huge role. Therefore sixty
percent of students will be from overseas to follow around twenty one
undergraduate programs which include automobile, nano technology,
healthcare, tourism and fashion with research facilities as required. It
is expected to enrol the first batch of students in 2013 and the faculty
will include both local and foreign personnel, fifty percent from each.
Ten thousand students could be accommodated once the whole project is
completed within five years. Sri Lanka will be the international centre
for research and conferencing on scientific subjects in the future with
the commencement of this university. |
