SLIIT Honours Its Largest Ever Graduating Cohort of Over 3,500 and Opens Sri Lanka’s First Dedicated LJMU Learning Facility
Scenes from the inauguration of SLIIT International in Collaboration with LJMU. Image credit: LankaTalks.
Sri Lanka’s higher education sector has recorded two significant milestones, as the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) celebrated its largest graduating cohort to date while also inaugurating a dedicated international learning facility in Colombo in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), United Kingdom.
The linked developments illustrate an increasingly important direction for Sri Lankan education: internationally connected qualifications are being delivered locally, while a growing number of graduates are being prepared to contribute to the country’s expanding technology, business, engineering, research and creative sectors.
More than 3,500 graduates complete their studies
SLIIT successfully concluded its September 2026 Convocation after a six-day programme held from 14 to 19 September at the SLIIT Malabe Campus. More than 3,500 undergraduate and postgraduate graduates were honoured across Computing, Business, Engineering and Architecture, and Humanities and Sciences, making the cohort the largest in the institution’s history.
The achievement carries significance beyond the scale of an institutional ceremony. More than 3,500 industry-ready graduates are now progressing towards employment, entrepreneurship, research and postgraduate education at a time when Sri Lanka is seeking to strengthen the skilled workforce required for long-term economic transformation.
Under Sri Lanka’s Public Investment Programme 2026–2030, national targets include annual information and communications technology exports of USD 5 billion, a USD 15 billion digital economy and a digitally skilled workforce of 200,000 by 2030. Innovation, entrepreneurship and cybersecurity have also been identified as important priorities, creating a strong case for closer alignment between higher education, industry requirements and national development.
An AI-generated visual inspired by the source coverage of Sri Lankan university graduation celebrations. AI generated based on source image; eLanka branding included.
An employability-focused education model
SLIIT records a 98 per cent graduate employment rate within six months of graduation, according to the information reported by LankaTalks. This outcome has been supported by an education model shaped around industry requirements, with academic departments maintaining regular consultation with industry representatives and industry partners contributing to curriculum development and the identification of emerging skills needs.
Students are also provided with opportunities involving internships, industrial training, career guidance and employer engagement. Such exposure is intended to strengthen not only technical competence, but also communication, adaptability, teamwork, professional judgement and problem-solving, all of which remain central to workplace readiness in an economy increasingly influenced by automation and digital transformation.
The institution’s academic environment is further supported by research recognition. Six SLIIT academics were recognised among the world’s top two per cent of scientists in the 2025 Stanford–Elsevier Global Rankings, providing students with access to research-informed teaching, internationally recognised expertise and opportunities for academic mentorship.
SLIIT’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem also supports startup development, industry collaboration, intellectual property and commercialisation. Consequently, graduates are being positioned not only to enter established workplaces, but also to develop new enterprises, create employment and contribute practical solutions to national and international challenges.
The convocation ceremonies were attended by distinguished Chief Guests representing government, industry and international academia. They included Mr Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and Senior Economic Adviser to the President; Professor Timothy James Nichol of Liverpool John Moores University; Mr Mega Kularatne, Joint Managing Director of Maga Engineering Pvt. Ltd.; Mr Chris Marshall of the University of Bedfordshire Business School; Dr Rachelle Viader Knowles of Manchester Metropolitan University; and Ms Shehara De Silva, Managing Director of the McLarens Group of Companies.
A new international learning facility in Colombo
The second milestone was the inauguration of SLIIT International in Collaboration with LJMU, a dedicated international learning facility at No. 17, Dickmans Road, Colombo 04.
The Grand Opening Ceremony was attended by H.E. Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, who served as Chief Guest, alongside senior representatives from SLIIT, Liverpool John Moores University, the British Council, academia, industry and other stakeholders.
The facility is Sri Lanka’s first academic centre dedicated exclusively to the delivery of LJMU degree programmes. Its opening represents a significant development in a partnership that has continued for more than a decade and reinforces the commitment of both institutions to providing Sri Lankan students with access to internationally recognised UK higher education qualifications without having to leave the country for the full duration of their studies.
SLIIT’s September 2026 Convocation at the Malabe Campus. Image credit: LankaTalks.
Over the past decade, the SLIIT–LJMU partnership has produced more than 1,500 alumni, establishing a substantial network of graduates with internationally recognised UK qualifications. The new facility has been designed to support future programme expansion, strengthen the student experience and create greater opportunities for academic collaboration, innovation, research and student engagement.
Prof. Lalith Gamage, Vice-Chancellor, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, SLIIT, said:
> “The launch of SLIIT International in Collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University represents an important new chapter in our longstanding partnership with Liverpool John Moores University. Our vision is to provide Sri Lankan students with a world-class education and student experience right here in Sri Lanka, while equipping them with the global outlook, critical thinking, professional capabilities and career readiness required to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world. This dedicated facility strengthens the student experience while providing a strong foundation for the continued growth of our collaboration with LJMU.”
Prof. Timothy Nichol, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Society and Culture, Liverpool John Moores University, said:
> “The opening of Sri Lanka’s first facility dedicated exclusively to LJMU degree programmes represents a significant milestone for the University and our partnership with SLIIT. It reflects the strength of our collaboration and our shared commitment to delivering a high-quality LJMU educational experience in Sri Lanka. The new facility also creates exciting opportunities for deeper academic collaboration, innovation, research and student engagement as we look towards the next phase of our partnership.”
Examining the future of international higher education
A key feature of the opening ceremony was a panel discussion titled “Beyond Borders: The Role of British Higher Education in Developing Globally Competitive Graduates.”
The discussion examined the growth of international education opportunities in Sri Lanka, the future expansion of UK degree programmes, the importance of maintaining the quality and integrity of UK qualifications, and the development of graduates equipped with global competencies.
The panellists also considered the role of international higher education in strengthening graduate employability, with discussion extending to emerging trends in law, business, psychology and artificial intelligence. The panel included Prof. Lalith Gamage, Prof. Timothy Nichol, Mr Sajeewa Meepage of the British Council and Dr Harsha Cabral, Board Member of SLIIT.
An AI-generated editorial visual representing international learning and academic collaboration in Colombo. AI generated based on source image; eLanka branding included.
The programme also featured a special address by H.E. Andrew Patrick and an address by Mrs Clare Sears, Country Director, British Council Sri Lanka. A ceremonial exchange of the partnership document symbolised the continued commitment of SLIIT and LJMU to expanding educational cooperation and creating stronger international pathways for Sri Lankan students.
An AI-generated visual representing graduate employability, innovation and career readiness. AI generated based on source image; eLanka branding included.
Growing talent at home while reaching the world
Taken together, the two milestones present a coherent picture of Sri Lanka’s higher education ambitions. The record SLIIT graduating cohort demonstrates the scale of local talent being developed across multiple disciplines, while the new LJMU facility shows how global academic partnerships can broaden access to internationally recognised qualifications within Sri Lanka.
For students and families, the model offers an opportunity to pursue high-quality education locally while gaining international academic exposure. For employers, it creates access to a larger pool of graduates with technical, professional and transferable skills. For the national economy, the expansion of education connected to innovation, digital capability and entrepreneurship could become instrumental in supporting the country’s longer-term development objectives.
The continued success of such partnerships will depend on academic quality, transparent standards, effective industry engagement and sustained investment in research and student support. Nevertheless, the latest developments indicate that Sri Lankan higher education is becoming more globally connected while continuing to cultivate talent at home.
This article was written based on the sources https://lankatalks.com/post/sliit-celebrates-largest-graduating-cohort-of-over-3-500 and https://lankatalks.com/post/sliit-international-and-liverpool-john-moores-university-inaugurate-dedicated-international-learning-facility-in-colombo, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.
At eLanka, we respect the rights of creators. If we have used an image you own and you’d like it removed, please email us at info@elanka.com.au and we’ll handle it promptly.
