President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said a National Education Policy has been formulated to achieve rapid development as well as to meet economic goals.
The President told the inauguration ceremony of registering the first batch of undergraduate students of Benedict the 16 Catholic Institution of Higher Education (BCI) in Negombo on Friday that a new education system will protect the dignity of labour and create a skilled society in the new normal environment.
The BCI, a brainchild of Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, was established in 2015 in honour of His Holiness Benedict XVI, one of the greatest scholars of the 21st century, at the Sri Lanka Teacher Training College premises, Bolawalana. Over 17,200 students have completed courses in English Language, IT and vocational courses during the past six years.
With the elevation to the level of degree awarding institute recognised by the University Grant Commission, students have the opportunity to pursue Bachelor of Business Management (BSc. Hons) and Bachelor of Information Technology (BSc.Hons) degree programs in the English medium.
President Rajapaksa said that he will give utmost priority to achieve excellence in higher education. He stressed the importance of producing more technocrats by converting all universities to ‘smart learning universities’.
The President commended the progress of the BCI Campus under the guidance of the Archbishop, endowing the future with a generation empowered with technical knowledge, values as well as with a correct vision.
Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri delivered the keynote address titled “The Future of Business and Information Technology”. The Archbishop detailed the future plans of the BCI Campus.
The President handed over letters of registration to a group of students representing the first batch of undergraduate students.
Rev Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith presented a memento to the President in appreciation of his services towards the establishment of the BCI Campus.
Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Western Province Governor, former Commander of the Air Force, Marshal of the Air Force, Roshan Goonetileke, State Ministers Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Nimal Lansa and Secretary of Education Prof. Kapila Perera were also present.