EDUCATION

OpenArc prepares for next intake

OpenArc Campus is a hive of activity at present as it prepares itself for the next intake of students planning to follow the BIT programme at the University of Colombo.

From the beginning of this year, OpenArc Campus opened its doors to the general public to enrol and follow BIT, BCS, Project Management and Corporate Training and other programmes on offer. This has enabled students intending to follow BIT at the University of Colombo to enrol with OpenArc Campus, thereby giving them an opportunity to get a well-groomed training, based on the academic strengths and a mentoring philosophy, which has been built with over two decades of experience.

In the past, students from OpenArc Campus have been very successful at Colombo University's BIT External Degree with the highest overall pass rate and highest number of passes with honours mainly owing to the some of the unique resources available for the students at this Campus.

Apart from its modern facilities located at Kirulapone (Colombo-06) OpenArc Campus produces unmatched learning experience through Academic Staff who are industry leaders with hands-on knowledge in all aspects of Software development.

Along with the excellent academic curricula, student undergoes various additional short capacity building programmes designed to provide higher results in BIT exams. This has enabled the students to acquire wider skills-set beyond the theoretical exam based knowledge. This has enabled students at OpenArc to become extremely successful at exams, while becoming job ready at the same time. Most students have found immediate employment after graduation. Very high pass rate at BIT, has made OpenArc Campus the preferred choice among BIT students.

The Chairman of OpenArc Campus, Daya Hettiarachchi reiterated that the Campus is fully committed to developing graduates who possess excellent 'soft' and 'hard skills' pertaining to their programmes. He also said that OpenArc Campus is equally concerned that these graduates develop high ethical and, moral values and grow up to become responsible corporate citizens. The Campus runs parallel programmes along with the syllabus to inculcate these values.

Interior Designer at OCBT campus

Admission is now on for the Introductory Diploma in Interior Design at OCBT Campus leading to a Bachelor's degree (Hons) in Interior Design.

This program was specially created to produce professionals who will succeed in the real world. It is practical-oriented, and the three modules and an introductory module will take students just 24 months to complete the pre degree level. Those entering this lucrative field thereafter are assured of high incomes.

Chief Executive Officer of OCBT Campus, Prasanna Aluthge said the study course combines both interior designing and decorating because it is the practical thing to do for real world success. He noted that it blends the artistic and technical components (in theory and practice) to meet the requirements of the job market and enhance one's earning potential.

"This is the first time in Sri Lanka that interior designing and decorating are being combined in one program," he pointed out.

According to Aluthge, there is much scope for this field here and abroad as there are no obstacles to entry. "Professional practitioners can enter the market at any given time," he emphasized. He added that there are great opportunities due to the increase in tourism projects, upper and upper middle-class residential neighborhoods and commercial establishments especially in Sri Lanka, Maldives and India.

OCBT's interior designing and decorating program is wide-ranging and comprehensive. It also covers the latest developments in the field. Among its key aspects are - identifying client requirements, analytical and strategic approach in presenting designs, problem-solving skills, technical analysis and presentations, material handling and sourcing, contracting, legal documentation, computer-aided drafting, 3D modeling, portfolio management, project management, business administration and marketing.

Students will be evaluated according to a combination of assessments, tests, presentations and practical projects. The full program covers three modules with an additional Introductory Diploma, offering the Associate Diploma (4 months), Diploma (8 months) and Advanced Diploma (12 months) in Interior Design & Decoration. Once complete a module/level students will be awarded with the appropriate Diploma hence they have the choice to start or stop the program in 4 levels. Students who complete all 4 levels , up to Advance Diploma can enter to the Final years of a BA in Interior Design or a related degree in UK, Malaysia, Sri Lanka or Australia.

All students who follow this diploma will closely work with the industry from the beginning and they will gain the real world experience throughout the course. Further, they will have the opportunity to start their own practice under the guidance of OCBT and start their lucrative career within the first few months of study.

Initially, the classes will have on Saturday afternoon from 1.30 PM to 5.00 PM and the practical sessions could be arranged according to the student's convenience. This course of study will open up exciting career opportunities for students. They could work as interior design consultants, contract commercial specialists, assistants in architectural practices or employees of interior design/decorator companies.

OCBT Campus is situated in a convenient location in Kollupitiya, Colombo 3. It offers a range of IT, business, vocational and language-related courses designed to meet the demands of the local and global job market. Towards this end, it works in collaboration with reputed institutes and organizations here and abroad.

More information could be obtained from web site www.ocbt.lk or email to [email protected]