Education

Edexcel launches curricula, int’l diploma

Edexcel, the international qualification which has a student body of 1.1 million spread across 85 countries and over 50,000 entrants sitting examinations across 200 schools and Edexcel HND Centres in Sri Lanka, added more facets to its already extensive scope of qualifications and curricula. Launching the International Diploma and introducing the Primary and Lower Secondary curricula to the syllabi accessible to students as preparation for the expansive higher education options available, the Edexcel’s Sri Lanka Country Office aligns Sri Lanka with the new trends and modes being introduced worldwide by Edexcel.

Edexcel in India Subcontinent Territory Manager Premila Paulraj said, “Edexcel is all about equipping students with the apt foundation to face the challenges in the workplace. We already have our IGCSE and GCE Ordinary and Advanced Levels well in place for over 35 years, but with the introduction of the Primary and Lower Secondary curricula, we are ensuring that these young pupils gain that foundation in their early education years”. She also briefly touched on the Edexcel International Diploma, a composite qualification that helps students gain a competitive advantage in studying for A/levels, the BTEC Extended National Diploma or even in applying for university.

Edexcel Stakeholder Relations Head David Davies said that the International Diploma, which is fully accredited by Ofqual, (UK’s educational standards and regulations authority) is recognized by universities and employers across the globe, setting students apart for success in this very competitive 21st century. “It is equivalent to four A Levels and caters to students who have different aspirations and styles of learning, honed through a unique package of well recognized and respected qualifications.

The idea is to develop holistic global citizens equipped with a rigorous knowledge base, which forms the foundation for building further skills specific to their individual areas of interest. There is a definite need for the current day student to differentiate themselves from their peers, whether it’s in university or when applying for employment. We are in a global marketplace and in most cases, students are competing for limited places eyed by large numbers of applicants. Employers therefore, are looking for individuals who demonstrate employability skills as well as economic, cultural and social values.”

The International Diploma is constructed on a triad of knowledge, skills and behaviour. “A variety in choice of subjects is available in terms of developing knowledge levels in their chosen career path, while we hone skills such as communication, research, independent learning, problem solving, project management, presentation and critical thinking. Behavioural skills are introduced through economic awareness, cultural sensitivity, career mindedness and self- motivation,” he said.

Regional Development Manager Sri Lanka and the Maldives Suriya Bibile said that Edexcel has a pragmatic ‘Work-ready’ qualification, which has proven its worth due to over 100 professional bodies and institutions around the world granting exemptions on their professional examinations or presenting Edexcel HND qualifiers with professional membership in those bodies. “With this qualification, a student can gain entrance into the final year of a university degree in the UK or several other countries which is a considerable cost advantage to a Sri Lankan student,” he said.

BIT self study students:

OpenArc lends helping hand

The innovative educational programme introduced by OpenArc School of Business and Technology has been acclaimed as a comprehensive guidance to self study students reading for the Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) External Degree of the University of Colombo - School of Computing, to pass the examination with confidence.

Under this comprehensive educational initiative, OpenArc conducts a full-day tutorial class once a month especially designed for students who opt for self study for the BIT external Degree without attending lectures regularly.

BIT is a degree programme of three years duration introduced by the University of Colombo - School of Computing in the year 2000 to develop the human resources in information and communication technologies.

During the tutorial classes conducted by OpenArc, students are provided help and guidance through individual attention to overcome difficulties in understanding the course content, resolve knotty problems they may face in their academic work, engage in essential practical activities, discuss past papers, share knowledge and concepts and also discuss subject matters.

These tutorial classes by OpenArc, which are held separately during all the Semesters of the BIT Degree programme of the University of Colombo - School of Computing, make a meaningful contribution towards academically arming students to sit for the examination with confidence and pass it with ease.

To make it convenient for students, these tutorial classes are held on Saturdays, Sundays and other holidays.

Of the students who sit for the BIT Degree programme of the University of Colombo - School of Computing, about 35 percent opt for self study without attending lectures due to various reasons. But, unfortunately, 65 percent of these students fail the examination (Reference: http//www.bit.lk/examination/institutes).

From the time the BIT External Degree programme was launched by the University of Colombo - School of Computing in 2000, OpenArc School of Business and Technology has been a pioneer higher education institute which has continuously conducted classes for BIT students and helped them to achieve impressive results.

OpenArc School of Business and Technology is a leading training school which was set-up in September 1995 by OpenArc Systems Management with the objective of promoting local talents in IT and producing skilled people for the IT industry.

For more than 15 successive years, OpenArc has played a key role in higher education as well as tertiary and vocational education spheres in Sri Lanka by offering study programmes in information technology, computer science, business administration, network administration and other ICT related programmes, both at Degree and Diploma levels.

OpenArc has a highly qualified, eminent panel of lecturers with wide exposure. All classes are air-conditioned. With fast internet services, the OpenArc IT Labs are equipped with a network of modern computer equipment.

OpenArc is credited with computerizing the leasing systems of HNB, People’s Leasing and other key financial institutions. It has now undertaken a massive project to computerize the leasing platforms of leading banks such as DFCC Bank, DFCC Vardhana Bank and Bank of Ceylon. BIT students of OpenArc will be given preference in recruiting computer and network engineers required for the implementation of these projects.

More information on the Self Study programme for students reading for the BIT external Degree of the University of Colombo - School of Computing can be obtained from the OpenArc School of Business and Technology, First Floor, No. 120, High Level Road, Kirulapone, Colombo 6. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.openarc.edu.lk