Edith Cowan University has maintained a strong presence in Sri Lanka for nearly two decades, with its first batch of graduates emerging in 2003. This presence is closely intertwined with Navitas and the Australian College of Business and Technology (ACBT), established in collaboration.

Our engagement in Sri Lanka has yielded over 2,000 alumni, underscoring the depth of our involvement. We believe in benchmarking Australian academic standards, a principle exemplified by procuring identical equipment for programmes such as biomedical science. At the same time, we aim to launch an engineering programme next year. To ensure equivalence, we have diligently imported engineering equipment from overseas, aligning with those resources available to students in Australia.

The same dedication extends to our faculty selection process. Our Australian colleagues reinforce local recruitment through rigorous assessments, ensuring adherence to our benchmarks while our programme spectrum showcases diversity.

Beyond our biomedical science and engineering programmes, our Bachelor of Commerce features three distinctive majors: international business, management, and a newly introduced marketing major.

Further, our campus houses a specialized digital hub designed for teaching digital marketing, enriching our programme offerings. We also offer a Bachelor of Cybersecurity to meet the demand for expertise in this area. In contrast, our Bachelor of Computer Science offers specialization options in software engineering and cybersecurity.

A recent addition to our curriculum is the Bachelor of Design, spotlighting games and interactive design. This innovative programme not only cultivates game development skills but also explores the integration of game technology into marketing strategies.

Sri Lanka has been experiencing challenging times; why did an Australian University decide to invest here, and what are the benefits to Sri Lanka?

The decision to invest in Sri Lanka, particularly by Edith Cowan University, is based on various factors. Our relationship with Sri Lanka dates back to 2003, with Navitas founder, Rod Jones, having
a 25-year connection with the country. Despite challenges, Sri Lanka’s resilience and academic excellence among its students are impressive.

We observed exceptional achievements by Sri Lankan students within our Australian institution and globally, driven by their strong work ethic. Despite recent difficulties, we believe in Sri Lanka’s
potential for growth.

The significant gap between students completing A-levels and available positions in state universities drove our decision. Many students sought overseas education, but costs and preferences varied.
We decided to establish a presence in Sri Lanka, leveraging our existing involvement to address this gap. This choice has been successful, attracting enthusiastic students to our programs.

What are the benefits for local students to study at the ECU campus?

Currently, our university hosts 550 bachelor’s students. In partnership with Navitas, we oversee foundation and diploma courses for 1,700 pathway students. These students can start with us, then transfer to ECU in Australia after the first year, or complete their entire degree here, even pursuing a master’s in Australia.

Most students finish their degree here, but the pathway provides flexible choices, especially for those concerned about study abroad costs. This setup reduces tuition, living expenses, and the potential isolation of studying overseas.

We’re also connected with local companies, offering career opportunities to our graduates who would otherwise seek jobs abroad. Expanding into research, we collaborate with local institutions and industries, involving students in meaningful projects. Our September 15th research symposium underlines our dedication to integrating research into education.

Our students engage in international study tours, competitions, and collaborations with universities like ECU and Portsmouth. They won a marketing competition recently, showcasing their real world skills.

Our approach involves practical experiences through advanced facilities, nurturing curiosity, active participation, and practical skills. We strive to foster enthusiasm and holistic growth through tangible opportunities.

How will you promote Sri Lanka as a study destination and attract international students?

A key focus for us also involves attracting international students to Sri Lanka. ECU’s global staff, who currently bring students to Australia, are discussing bringing students to our Sri Lankan campus. Leveraging Navitas’ extensive global presence, with a network comprising numerous staff and over 2,000 international agents, we are collaborating to spotlight Sri Lanka as an appealing study destination. A notable initiative involves visiting Mauritius in early October, where we will engage with our top 60 international agents to promote our university and the country.

Our aim is not just to have students study here but to have them experience the local culture and beauty of Sri Lanka. As exemplified in Australia, international education contributes significantly to
the economy, extending beyond student enrollment to attracting families and friends who subsequently contribute as tourists.

In the spirit of successful international education hubs like those in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore, we aspire to position Sri Lanka as a vibrant global educational centre. By welcoming international students, we aim to cultivate diverse learning environments and inject foreign currency into the local economy, creating a mutually beneficial dynamic. This multifaceted approach resonates with our commitment to providing enriched educational experiences while fostering economic growth.