Cinec Maritime Campus:
Award winning leader in education
Indunil HEWAGE
Today, there is a huge emphasis laid on higher education. Basically
today's society needs people with higher education for the fulfilment of
various job opportunities and can benefit society.
Daily News business interviewed Cinec Maritime Campus Marketing
Manager Maduranga Perera.
According to Perera, Cinec Maritime campus is over two decades and it
is indeed commendable. Inaugurated in 1990, Cinec is a multiple award
winning leader in education in Sri Lankas private education sector, and
is thriving on the vision of being the premier educational institute of
the aspiring youth of Sri Lanka whist nurturing them to become value
creating, competitive and self reliant. Cinec is also staffed skilled
with dedicated lecturers both in Sri Lanka and other countries, Cinec's
unwavering commitment to provide quality education in Sri Lanka has held
them in good stead.
Marketing Manager Maduranga Perera.
Picture by Thushara
Fernando |
Here are excerpts of the interview:
Q: How does your university differentiate from other
universities in the country?
A: The Colombo International Nautical and Engineering College
(CINEC), Malabe, has been conducting courses in Maritime studies as well
as other courses for more than two decades by affiliating with
well-known international universities. It is the largest private Higher
Education organization, situated in the picturesque suburbs of Malabe in
close proximity to Sri Jayewardenepura, the administrative capital of
Sri Lanka.
CINEC Maritime Campus is established on a firm foundation based on
four internationally accredited Quality Management Systems: ISO 9001:
2008 Quality Management System Standard, ISO 14001:2004 Environmental
Management System Standard, OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health and
Safety Management System Standard and DNV Standard for certification of
Maritime Academies No. 3.401; as well as the University Grant Commission
approval which ensure that Cinec students are served with a sense of
professionalism and care.
Q: What courses are offered by Cinec?
A: Cinec is fully exemplified by 14000 students, including
students from Nigeria, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Maldives annually
follow a range of over 175 educational and training programmes. This
includes newly introduced courses such as Hospitality Management,
Tourism Management, Sport Management and various IT related courses. For
the first time in Sri Lanka Cince will also be introducing Bsc Maritime
studies and Marine Engineering and has already obtained the University
Grant Commission approval to conduct these programmes.
Q: What are the achievements of Cinec?
A: Cinec has been awarded the National Quality Awards for
education sector for the third consecutive year (1991, 2004, 2009) as
well as the Asia Pacific Quality Awards for education sector in 2010.
Cinec is not only confined to offering academic programmes, it is
also engaged in offering professional programmes such as welding
technology, aluminium fabricating, plumbing, etc....in a bid to cater to
job requirements in foreign countries.
Q: Government is talking of a knowledge based economy. What is
your contribution to bridge the gap between the global job requirements
and local standards through your curriculum?
A: Cinec is the pioneer in introducing internationally
recognized degree courses to Sri Lanka and is the largest Maritime
Education and Training facility approved by the Directorate of Merchant
Shipping in Sri Lanka.
The primary objective of the organization is to meet the changing
educational requirements of students. I would say Cinec is committed to
maintain its professional standards as demanded by regulatory
authorities in the higher education sector.
In addition, Cinec is equipped with modern classroom facilities,
laboratories, workshops and demonstration rooms.
The college has provided modern residential facilities for students.
A fully equipped kitchen and cafeteria provide wholesome food. A
swimming pool, a gymnasium together with a basketball court and ample
space for jogging and games provide students a good recreational
environment.
Q: What do you think about the government intention to promote
private universities in Sri Lanka. What more suggestions do you have for
the betterment of the education sector?
A: We agree with the government decision to facilitate more
private universities in Sri Lanka, but I believe that most private
universities in Sri Lanka are only concentrating in theoretical part,
not about the other extra curricular needs of the students. Student will
need both academic qualifications as well as the experience in extra
curricular activities to become more compatible with changing needs of
the global job market.
I think land restrictions in the Colombo areas have become a major
reason for this issue. I believe that most universities in Sri Lanka is
misleading the students as well as parents without providing a proper
education. My suggestion is to have a prolific initiative to
streamlining the prevailing private universities. If the government has
some sort of procedure to grade all universities in Sri Lanka, I think
that will immensely help the industry as well as the students .
Q: What are your affiliated foreign universities?
A: University of South Australia, Dalian Maritime University
of China, University of Wolverhampton and University of Tasmania.
Q: Does Cinec offer any online programmes?
A: Yes, We do offer online courses specially in IT sector, for
students from Ukraine, Australia, New Zealand etc..
Q: What plans do you have for the future?
A: We are on the look out to open another branch down south
apart from our existing branches in Trincomalee and Jaffna.As a part of
upcoming global expansion plans, Cinec will set up branches in South
Africa and Maldives. However, we have already started a offshore campus
in Maldives.
We do provide training for Nigerian students in areas of underwater
cutting, diving etc. In addition, we are having discussions with the
Bangladesh government to provide training facilities for students in the
field of Maritime and Engineering. |