SLIIT has recently announced an expansion of its Global Pathways programme through the addition of two prominent international partner universities. The University of Edinburgh in Scotland and the University of Western Australia in Perth, both highly esteemed institutions, have joined the existing collaboration with the University of Queensland. This strategic expansion aims to provide Sri Lankan students with unparalleled access to top-tier education from three globally recognized universities.
The SLIIT Global Pathways programme is distinguished by its partnerships with institutions that consistently rank among the world’s best. According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, the University of Edinburgh holds the 22nd position globally, while the University of Queensland and the University of Western Australia are ranked 43rd and 90th, respectively. These partnerships underscore SLIIT’s dedication to offering Sri Lankan students high-quality education that meets international standards.
One of the key advantages of the SLIIT Global Pathways programme is the opportunity it provides for students to commence their education in Sri Lanka at a reduced cost. This initiative guarantees entry into the final year(s) of study at either the University of Western Australia, the University of Edinburgh, or the University of Queensland. By enabling students to begin their academic journey locally, SLIIT ensures that international education becomes more accessible while also facilitating a smooth transition to studying abroad.
Moreover, the programme offers significant financial support through scholarship opportunities, including a 25% scholarship for students progressing to the University of Queensland. This support is crucial in making international degrees more attainable for Sri Lankan students, furthering their prospects of receiving a world-class education.
The expansion of the Global Pathways programme represents a significant milestone for Sri Lankan students. It opens up new avenues for accessing high-caliber education, broadening their horizons in an increasingly interconnected world. Additionally, these partnerships enhance SLIIT’s global reputation and provide students with access to cutting-edge academic programmes, research opportunities, and a wealth of global perspectives.
Through its partnership with the University of Edinburgh, SLIIT offers two undergraduate engineering programmes: the BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering and the BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
The BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering programme is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to become future-ready civil engineers capable of addressing the challenges of a rapidly changing world. The comprehensive curriculum allows for specialization in areas such as structural engineering, environmental engineering, construction management, geotechnical engineering, and fire safety engineering. Emphasizing both individual and group design projects, the programme is tailored to meet the evolving needs of the engineering sector, preparing graduates for careers in construction companies, specialist subcontractors, and government authorities.
Similarly, the BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme provides an in-depth study of electrical and electronics engineering. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including electrical power, digital and analogue electronics, microelectronics, electromagnetics and photonics, bioelectronics, and sensor networks and data analysis. The programme strikes a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical experimentation, preparing students to independently and collaboratively tackle modern engineering challenges.
The University of Western Australia contributes to the SLIIT Global Pathways with two computing programmes: the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science and the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science and Cyber Security.
The Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science is a comprehensive programme that provides students with cutting-edge skills in computing technologies. The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of specializations, including enterprise-level programming, systems, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software engineering. Students gain a deep understanding of the theoretical, algorithmic, implementation, and systems principles underlying computer languages and networks, equipping them to develop new technologies and master advanced programming techniques.
Additionally, the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science and Cyber Security equips students with essential skills for designing, implementing, and managing secure computer systems. The programme emphasizes the protection of data and systems from cyber-attacks, teaching students to assess risks, mitigate the impact of security breaches, and make informed decisions about the cost and benefits of secure system implementation. Graduates are well-prepared for careers as cybersecurity specialists, software developers, system architects, and IT application specialists.
The University of Western Australia also offers a Bachelor of Commerce programme, designed to develop students’ analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills within a global business context. This programme prepares students for careers in business, government, or the not-for-profit sector.
Each of these programmes opens up diverse career opportunities across sectors such as construction, engineering consulting, government, telecommunications, software development, data science, cyber security, and business management. Entry into these programmes requires relevant stream passes at the GCE Advanced Level (Local) or equivalent qualifications for Cambridge or Edexcel students, along with successful completion of SLIIT’s aptitude test.
