APIIT Law School is pleased to announce the launch of an internal LLB (Hons) degree from Staffordshire University in UK. This is the first time an internal law degree from a British University is offered in Sri Lanka. Students will be able to complete the entire degree in Sri Lanka or transfer to Staffordshire University Law School in UK after completing one or two years of study in Colombo.

With increasing numbers of foreign degree programmes being available in Sri Lanka from a bewildering array of universities and in a multitude of formats, it is not surprising if the students as well as their parents are confused and need guidance in selecting an appropriate study programme. It is the responsibility of local higher education institutions to disclose up-to-date and accurate information about their academic operations including details of the parent university, the study programme, and the local institution's teaching resources. This will allow the prospective students and their parents to take an informed decision.

As the leading higher education institution in the private sector, APIIT-Sri Lanka is pleased to provide leadership in public disclosure of information with regard to academic operations. The following information with regard to LLB (Hons) degree programme scheduled for commencement in September 2009 is presented to fulfil this obligation.

Staffordshire University

Staffordshire University in the UK is a major player in international education and has its origins in the early 1900s. The university has evolved as one of the most innovative universities with a proven track record of continuous achievements and excellence in providing high quality tertiary education.

The University has a student population of approximately 12,000 full-time and 3,000 part-time students. In addition, the University has some 5,000 students studying overseas on Staffordshire University Awards in China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Oman, India, Sri Lanka, Greece, Spain and France. Over 900 students studying in the APIIT City Campus in Colombo form part of this proud international community.

Staffordshire University has been awarded teaching scores of Excellent or Commendable 13 consecutive times by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) in UK. The university was awarded the "Best Teacher Training Award" in 2003 and was adjudged the best new university by computing employees in 2005.

Staffordshire University Law School is recognised as one of the best Law Schools in UK.
It was recently awarded top marks by the Quality Assurance Agency and the Solicitors Regulation Authority in UK as one of the best providers of Legal Education for undergraduate, postgraduate and professional awards.

LLB (Hons) Lssssssssssaw:

LLB (Hons) Law is a three-year, full- time programme. It is an internal 'Qualifying Law Degree' that satisfies the academic part of the training to qualify as solicitors or barristers in England. Graduates of LLB (Hons) degree will be eligible to qualify as Attorneys-at-Law to practise in Sri Lanka after successful completion of the Sri Lanka Law College examinations.

Year 1 of the programme focuses on the study of legal sources and institutions as well as study skills relevant to Law including the use of appropriate information technology. LLB core modules learnt in Year 1 and 2 provide the foundation principles of legal knowledge. These include a detailed study of the Law of Contract, Public Law, Criminal Law, Tort, Land Law, European Law and Equity and Trust. At the final year, students will have the opportunity to choose four modules from a set of optional modules taking into consideration their interests and career aspirations.

Teaching and learning is based primarily upon lectures, tutorials and workshops. Whilst lectures are very important, the main emphasis is on tutorials and workshops that promote group as well as independent learning. Workshops take a variety of forms: discussions, individual and group presentations, or tasks such as dealing with a previously unseen problem or interviewing and advising a client. These develop both legal capabilities and skills such as interviewing and problem solving.
APIIT-Sri Lanka:

The Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology - Sri Lanka (APIIT-Sri Lanka) was incorporated in September 1999 in partnership with the Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology - Malaysia and Staffordshire University, UK. It has the Board of Investment approval to offer higher education in IT, Business and Legal studies. APIIT-Sri Lanka also has credit transfer arrangements with a number of reputable universities in UK and Australia and thus forms part of an international collaboration in cross border education.

APIIT-Sri Lanka's principal purpose is to provide internationally recognized higher education with a view to producing globally competitive graduates who will meet the demands of modern society and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. To achieve these objectives, it provides excellent opportunities for classroom learning, independent and group studies and research.
In a short period of nine years, APIIT-Sri Lanka has expanded rapidly and grown in stature. Today, APIIT has emerged as the undisputed leader amongst higher education institutes in the private sector. It is also known as a responsible provider of tertiary education and is held in high esteem in academic circles both in Sri Lanka and abroad.

The cornerstone of success has been the consistent upholding of high standards and quality education programmes. This is achieved through constant attention to critical factors that underpin quality, namely, the adoption of international curricula to suit the Sri Lankan context, recruitment of highly qualified and competent lecturers, strategic investments to maintain the teaching facilities at the cutting-edge and efficient delivery and management of educational programmes.

APIIT-Sri Lanka has a long-standing relationship with Staffordshire University. The relationship is based on a shared vision, which encompasses a commitment to provide learning experiences of high quality, recognition of the importance of equal opportunity, and the training of graduates who will be immediately effective in employment.

APIIT Law School:

APIIT Law School is established in collaboration with Staffordshire Law School, UK as a modern law school with state-of-the-art facilities. The overarching goal of APIIT Law School is to offer legal education of international standard with a view to contributing to manpower development and advancement of the legal profession.

APIIT Law School comes under the purview of an Advisory Council of eminent persons from the legal profession and legal education in the country. The Advisory Council provides guidance to maintain the highest academic standards and orient the training programmes to meet the needs of the Sri Lankan society and the legal profession.

Teaching Resources:

APIIT Law School is specially designed with state-of-the-art facilities for legal education comprising a modern law library, comfortable lecture theatres and tutorial rooms, a moot court and an extensive IT infrastructure and online resources. The academic facilities conform to the requirements of the professional bodies in UK and are comparable to those in British Law schools.

Lecture theatres are designed to accommodate 75 students in each and are equipped with multimedia projectors and networked computers with access to Internet. A comprehensive library is a must for legal education. APIIT Law School library will be an excellent resource for learning and research. Students will also have access to world renowned digital libraries and online resources of Staffordshire University.

A Moot Court is a unique feature in the APIIT Law School. The Moot Court allows students to argue hypothetical cases and develop legal practice skills during their learning period. APIIT-Sri Lanka has made a major investment in IT/ computing infrastructure to provide a comprehensive Information and Communications Technology Service to all students. The Law School Computer Laboratories will be well-equipped with the latest technologies and provide unlimited access to the Internet through high speed broadband connection and Wi-Fi connectivity.

The aim of the English Language Centre is to provide a comprehensive training in English and help students reach high levels of competence. Computer aided learning packages are used to train students on all aspects of English learning such as listening, reading, comprehension, and writing.
APIIT Law School has an outstanding panel of lecturers consisting of highly qualified and competent academics. The full-time staff is supplemented by well experienced visiting lecturers from the legal profession.

Conclusion:

With its strong international relations, outstanding resources and focus on quality higher education, APIIT-Law School is in a unique position to make a major contribution to legal education in Sri Lanka. Students and parents are invited to visit the APIIT City Campus at 388, Union Place, Colombo 02 to find out more about the programme and career prospects. The APIIT City Campus is open on weekdays from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm and on Saturdays from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm. Information may also be obtained over the phone (2675060) from Laswie, Kanchana, Erandi or Ruzlie.