EDUCATION

The truth about University Foundation Year

Do you know that there are many University entry qualifications in the world other than A/Levels? To name a few -Year 12 (Australia), High School Diploma (America), International Baccalaureate (Europe), STPM (Malaysia), Senior Certificate (India), Senior Middle Year 3/Year 12 National University Entrance Exam (China), and the University Foundation Year (UK/Australia). All these qualifications serve the exact same purpose - to allow entry into an undergraduate degree. It is clear that requiring A/Levels to enter University is a myth as that would mean students completing other qualifications around the world would be denied entry into a degree.

Why is the University Foundation Year a smarter choice for your child?

First and foremost, University Foundation Year programmes are specialized university entry qualifications specifically developed by prestigious universities. These University Foundation Year programmes are internationally recognized and accepted by top universities in countries such as Australia, the UK, New Zealand, and Malaysia as an entry qualification into undergraduate degrees.

Second, the University Foundation Year focuses on both content and teaching method. The University Foundation Year’s syllabus and content, set by university academics, are equivalent to A/Levels while the teaching method mirrors that of international universities. Classes are interactive like in university with assignments such as research, group projects, and presentations done throughout the semester and exams conducted every four months.

Thus students are more effectively prepared for University studies than through the traditional exam-oriented approach of A/levels. Furthermore, via the university portal, students access teaching aids and online university library facilities. The university style of teaching ensures students develop their own learning skills and training to become independent thinkers who are better equipped to succeed in university.

As international university studies are conducted in English, competence in the language is vital for success. The University Foundation Year includes a compulsory English course focusing on the development of listening, speaking, writing, research and thematic study skills.

The coursework undertaken throughout the semesters includes oral presentations, listening comprehension tasks, argumentative and expository essays, research projects and thematic study (important for handling case studies at university level). This diverse range of activity gives students comprehensive exposure and a sound practical grasp of the language and associated communication skills.

With the University Foundation Year final grades are based on class work, assignments and exams across two semesters of four months each, thus risk is spread evenly throughout one year. With A/Levels, final grades are based only on final exams at the end of two years or the two exam sessions at the end of every year in the case of some London A/Level exams. Furthermore, University Foundation Year students can redo any single unit in the next available semester to increase their scores thus reducing their risk in terms of time. Receiving unsatisfactory Local A/Level results means resitting all subjects one year later while with London A/Levels, students wait at least six months for results.

ANC Education offers the only University Foundation Year in Sri Lanka awarded by a top 100 University in the world. This programme can be completed in one year, thereby saving money and time. While studying with ANC, your child will be supported in every aspect of their studies, and related aspects of their personal life. From small group tutorial classes and study guides, through to help with all aspects of life outside college hours - your child will be in the best hands. ANC Education’s academics are highly motivated and experienced lecturers who are all approachable and eager to support and provide additional attention as needed.

Situated in the heart of Colombo, The ANC City Campus comprises over 75,000 square feet in two contemporary six storey buildings with capacity for 2,000 students. ANC houses 30 lecture rooms and two special purpose rooms, all of which are equipped with modern education facilities including computers, audio-visual equipment, comfortable seating and air-conditioning. State of the art computer equipment is available in two specialized computer labs. The Library and Resource Centre’s physical library of approximately 5,000 volumes is supplemented by online access to virtual volumes (electronic books) and CDs. Wi-Fi access is available throughout our buildings and students with PDAs or notebook computers are able to download material directly.

The University Foundation Year is a choice available to all students after either O/Levels or A/S Levels.

ESOFT joins UK’s Bucks New University

Opportunity for Sri Lankan students to study for BA, B.Sc and M.Sc degrees:

ESOFT International Education (PVT) Limited, a member of the ESOFT Group of Companies, pioneers of professional ICT education in Sri Lanka, has provided Sri Lankan students with the opportunity of studying for BA and M.Sc degrees by joining with the Bucks New University of the United Kingdom.

The official introduction of these courses and signing the memorandum of understanding between the two educational institutions was held recently at the Hotel Galadari, Colombo, with the participation of UK’s Bucks New University Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Derek Godfrey and ESOFT Group of Companies Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Dayan Rajapaksa.

The BA (Hons) Degree in Business and Finance and the M.Sc in Information Systems for Strategic Management Degree are the new degree courses introduced to the Sri Lankan students by the ESOFT-Bucks partnership. The BA (Hons) Degree in Business and Finance can be completed in three years and there are ample local and overseas employment opportunities for students completing this degree. The specialty here is that students, who have completed the HND course or the CIMA course, or any other equivalent, can complete the Bucks New University BA (Hons) Degree in Business and Finance in one year.

The M.Sc in Information Systems for Strategic Management Degree can be completed in two years and it is very useful for State and private sector executives and proprietors of businesses. Now, Sri Lankan students can complete these two degree courses of Bucks New University, UK, through ESOFT International Education (PVT) Limited at very reasonable rates. Within two weeks of the official launch Bucks New University has also added B.Sc.(Hons) in Computing degree to ESOFT’s line up. The registration has commenced for the new programmes and academic sessions will begin in September.

Two years ago, ESOFT in partnership with Edexcel Institute of the United Kingdom, introduced HND Higher Diploma Courses in the fields of information technology and business management. ESOFT is the only education institute in Sri Lanka to conduct HND Courses in over 10 locations in the island including Colombo, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Galle, Negombo, Matale, Jaffna, Batticaloa and Kalmunai. Students who successfully complete the HND Higher Diploma from ESOFT Computer Studies (PVT) Limited will be able to complete the UK’s Bucks New University’s BA (Hons) Degree in Business and Finance in one year at a very special rate. Students who have completed the HND Higher Diploma in any other institution will also get the same opportunity.

ESOFT Computer Studies (PVT) Limited is the first member of the ESOFT Group of Companies. Launched in 2000, it is the pioneer in Sri Lanka’s professional ICT education. ESOFT has 30 branches located islandwide. The number of students exceeds 25,000. ESOFT Computer Studies (PVT) Limited conducts ICT courses from Certificate and Diploma level to Degree level. An institution conducting classes for the BIT External Degree of Colombo University, ESOFT has been successful in obtaining the best results for their students from the inception of that course.

The Batch Tops in Colombo University BIT External Degree for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 are students who had followed the Colombo University BIT External Degree Course at ESOFT Computer Studies (PVT) Limited. It is one of the two institutions in the country that conduct classes for the Moratuwa University BIT External Degree with the approval of the University. The British Computer Society (BCS) has given ESOFT that conducts classes for its degree courses Accredited Course Provider Certificate holder status.

ESOFT Computer Studies (PVT) Limited has an experienced and well qualified teaching staff. It is equipped with the best facilities for ICT education such as air-conditioned class rooms, auditoriums, experiment units, test centres and libraries. ESOFT has received the ISO 9001:2008 international standard certification for the quality of its education and the environment conducive to education prevailing there.

The ESOFT International Education (PVT) Limited, a member of the ESOFT Group of Companies and a sister company of ESOFT Computer Studies (PVT) Limited was launched to facilitate Sri Lankan students expecting overseas education to obtain quality overseas education facilities.

UK’s Edexcel HND in Business - HRM, now at HRMI

Sri Lanka’s best known HR professionals have committed to teach on the new Edexcel HND in Business - Human Resource Management programme offered by the Human Resource Management Institute (HRMI) and scheduled to commence this month. Institute Director Gihan Talgodapitiya briefing the media on the new Edexcel Higher National Diploma reasoned why HRMI has engaged country’s top-most resource persons to be on the faculty for this programme.

He said, “Edexcel qualifications are evaluated on the basis of students attaining a high standard of professionalism in the assignments and projects they are required to submit. Students need to learn modern management concepts and how they could apply them at work as the assignments involve practical applications. To facilitate this learning, the faculty must be qualified and exposed to contemporary management practices’. This required the teachers to be conversant on modern practices of managing people and performance. Unless the faculty has the exposure to these new concepts and management practices, students will not be able to fulfil the high standards set by the UK evaluators.”

He said that every lecturer has been hand-picked and invited to be on the faculty as they have the exposure at the highest level in leading banks, companies and multi-nationals. ‘All our lecturers hold very high positions in the private sector and possess post-graduate qualifications from some of the best universities in the region.

We are extremely happy to say that our students have a great opportunity to meet these professionals who not only impart the subject-matter, but also serve as a great source of inspiration to the young students,’he said. HRMI students are placed on a well structured internship training programme for over six months. ‘Unlike in the past, today HR managers play a vital role in the survival and growth of a business. It is a core function and a major strategy for any organization.

Therefore, we now need to train the next generation in a manner that they can cope-up with any job, be it in Sri Lanka or elsewhere in the world,’the Director said.

With a strong reputation as HR specialists with internationally recognized qualifications, the Human Resource Management Institute provides an unmatched combination of opportunities for students to excel in professional education and secure training and employment.

OCBT Campus:

Innovative education for real world success

The OCBT Campus - Colombo has earned an enviable reputation for its innovative study courses. Since starting operations in early 2009, it has produced many students who have performed well in both studies and practical applications. Situated in a convenient location (to see the map log on to www.ocbt.lk) in Kirulapone, Colombo 6, the institute offers a range of IT, business, vocational and language-related courses. These programs - from certificate level to degree level - are designed to meet the demands of the local and global job markets.

OCBT’s main study courses are the Higher National Diploma in IT, the Higher National Diploma in Business Management (both by Edexcel UK) and the Certified Software Engineering Program which leads to a Bachelor’s Degree. It also conducts programmes in Marketing Management, Interior Designing and Decoration, Spoken English, Business English and professional certification coaching for PHP, Java and Microsoft related exams.

OCBT ensures that its qualifications are career-oriented and internationally-recognized. Towards this end, it works in collaboration with reputed institutes and organizations locally and abroad. There are many advantages in studying at OCBT. These include high-quality program delivery by a committed and highly-qualified lecture panel, A/C classrooms with good facilities and a pleasant study environment, affordable fees, flexible payment terms and the facilitation of student loans from leading banks. Its courses combine both theoretical and practical knowledge in a way that enhances one’s job prospects and earning potential.

OCBT Campus Chief Operating Officer Prasanna Aluthge said that their students have achieved much since coming here. “People following our IT programmes are coming out with original concepts and products, which is not happening elsewhere”, he said.

For example, one student is in the process of inventing a webcam user identification system, and another is developing an advanced robotic arm for various purposes. Another is building a system that analyzes the success of hybrid models of vehicles. Students following software development courses have come up with some innovative software solutions, while business students have conceived innovative models of management and business processes for companies in Sri Lanka. “Through this practical approach, we think our students will fit into the real world and have a competitive advantage in the job market,” said Aluthge.

He said that they offer internships to students during the course to enhance their practical knowledge.

OCBT, which is a Japanese-funded BOI company, has been commended by its partners as a well-managed institution in terms of education, discipline and innovation. There are strict regulations to govern the conduct of both lecturers and students.

“We have a very good lecture panel, and undertake continuous evaluation of both lecturers and students,” said Aluthge. “For weak students, we assign special lecturers to focus on them and help them perform well,” he said.

He said that their lecturers are highly-qualified, and have MBAs, MAs and MScs along with industrial experience. Aluthge attributes OCBT’s success to their teaching method that stresses on innovation, which differentiates them from other such institutes. He also noted that their programs are in accordance with global market requirements and evolve with the latest developments taking place in the world of business.

At OCBT, the batch size in a classroom is always less than 20, so that more individual attention could be paid to students. It also offers scholarships of up to 100 percent for deserving students.

Aluthge said their language programs are linked to the City and Guilds examination. OCBT also conducts in-house exams that is higher in standard, and includes practical things such as delivering speeches at a conference, structured debates, drama etc. Student evaluation includes presentations, open book and close book exams, and assignments. In conclusion, it must be emphasized that OCBT’s study courses are oriented towards real world success. They are designed to take advantage of the exciting career opportunities opening up globally.