IIT’s 30th anniversary sees students receive their University of Westminster degrees at Annual Convocation

At the convocation ceremony held in accordance to strict health guidelines given out by the authorities, over 350 students of IIT received their globally-renowned undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the field of IT and Business offered by the UoW. Degrees were conferred to students who had successfully completed the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Software Engineering, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Business Information Systems, Master of Arts in Fashion Business Management, Master of Science in Advanced Software Engineering and Master of Science in Cyber Security and Forensics.

This is the first time that students of Cyber Security and Forensics as well as students of Fashion Business Management are graduating.

The Chief Guest at the ceremony was Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa Professor Kapila Perera. Chairman of Informatics Group of Companies Dr. Gamini Wickramasinghe, CEO of IIT Mohan Fernando, Vice-Chancellor and President of University of Westminster Dr. Peter Bonfield (connected via live stream) as well as a large number of IIT staff members, parents and well-wishers attended the event held at the Main Hall of BMICH.

During the event, a number of special awards were presented to students who performed exceptionally during their time at IIT.

Chairman of Informatics Group of Companies Dr. Gamini Wickramasinghe commented, “As IIT celebrates 30 years of educational excellence with resounding success in computing and business, it is my pleasure to offer my heartiest congratulations to all our IIT graduates at our 26th Convocation ceremony. These new batch of graduates from IIT who have successfully completed their University of Westminster (UOW) undergraduate and postgraduate programmes have reached a key milestone in their journey towards success.

The education our graduates have received during the time at our campus has empowered them with the ability to adapt to the dynamic changes in the industry and to also take on the challenges of the corporate world. One of the many unique features of IIT is the diversity of university life offered to our students, where taught academic study is interspersed with independent learning as well as a variety of extra-curricular activities.

At IIT, we have always strived to produce graduates who are well rounded and of the highest calibre that will enter the industry. The blend of academic knowledge and industry exposure provided at IIT has helped our graduates to excel in their chosen career path while remaining in high demand in today’s competitive job market.”

Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Westminster Dr. Peter Bonfield stated, “The University of Westminster is a UK university with a determinedly global outlook, and a strong commitment to industry engagement and to preparing all our students for professional graduate life. IIT is our longstanding – and highly valued – partner in Sri Lanka. Our partnership was born out of a mutual will to nurture and develop the employability of our students and to support them in their engagement with leading edge technological advances and with a variety of professional practices and sectors. Our common work in information systems, informatics and software engineering, which represents the foundation of our partnership, makes a core contribution to our educational programmes in both institutions, and prepares our students for the world of graduate work. We are delighted now to be embarking upon a new phase of our partnership with IIT Colombo, with a continuingly expanding portfolio of professionally oriented subject areas. Our programmes at The University of Westminster and at IIT, embrace enterprise, innovation and creativity and aim to help students from all backgrounds unlock their skills and fulfil their potential. Educating students for the world of professional life and in the skills needed for the global employment arena is core to our values. The recognition accorded our students by Sri Lankan industry, reputed IT and business firms, and by accrediting bodies including the British Computing Society, brings us considerable pride.”

IIT was established in 1990 as the first private higher education institute that awards reputed British degrees in the field of ICT and Business.

IIT is an award-winning campus offering internal postgraduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Westminster, UK and the Robert Gordon University, UK. IIT has played a pivotal role in strengthening the IT and Business sectors in Sri Lanka over the years by producing world-class graduates.

Since its inception in 1990, IIT has produced over 5,000 graduates who are now based in many countries around the globe. These graduates have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs and IT/Business professionals in both local and international corporate and government entities.

They have played a pivotal role in empowering over 250 multinational and local blue-chip companies by holding key strategic positions while contributing immensely towards the growth of their respective organisations.