Minister of Higher Education presides as Chief Guest, as Horizon Campus moves to the City
View(s):The ceremonial opening of the Horizon City campus was held on the 11th of February 2013, with the Minister of Higher Education Mr.S.B.Dissanayake, gracing the occasion as the chief guest. The secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr.Sunil Jayantha Navarathne, Prof. K.S. Rangappa, the former Vice Chancellor of the Karnatake State Open University, and presently the Vice Chancellor of the Mysore University, India, were also amongst the distinguished guests, who attended this ceremony.
The Hon. Minister while reminiscing the inauguration of Horizon Campus Malabe, had this to say, “………. Good Evening Ladies & Gentleman, It is my great pleasure to be with you here today, celebrating this very important event in the journey of Horizon Campus. It was two years to the day, that I was invited to inaugurate the Horizon campus, in Malabe. I am very pleased to see that Horizon Campus has developed within the past two years, providing for many degree programmes, and has taken this bold step in opening its City Campus to a larger student community in Colombo and in the suburban areas.
If I am not mistaken, Horizon commenced its journey in the field of education, with the opening of its international school, in Malabe, and eventually the campus programmes one year later. It is to the credit of Mr.Daranagama, that he has had the vision of providing opportunities for students to fulfil their educational dreams, commencing from the play group and completing with a University Degree. It was with this vision that Horizon commenced the Campus in Malabe, with several programmes in Education & Psychology. And today I’m told, it has also ventured to deliver on the world renowned and prestigious University of London degree programmes. I’m indeed pleased to have been part of this journey thus far…”
Going further, he also illuminated the value of institutions such as Horizon City Campus to the nation as a whole, saying “……..What institutions such as Horizon Campus has delivered to us nationally are twofold. In the good old days, parents who could afford to teach their children abroad would be eager for their siblings to not only study abroad for their respective degree, but also take the opportunities of employment and residency in such countries. This was very evident in cases of students who wished to study in countries such as The United Kingdom & Australia. Of course in the case of Australia, such opportunities are still available, though with restrictions. But with the advent of international degree programmes, and institutions such Horizon taking the lead in delivering such programmes, we as a nation have been able to keep our younger generation within the country. It is important for us as a nation that our younger generation is involved in the development of the country. Therefore, creating the sufficient opportunities for their further education has been pivotal in this process.
The other impact that Private institutions have made to the country and its economy as a whole is that it has limited the massive amounts of foreign currency that was leaving the country, due to payments that parents were scheduled to make to these international Universities. Having spoken to Mr.Daranagama, I’m made aware that the University of London Degree programmes that Horizon provides for example, is only a fraction of the cost, if one were to study the same degree in the UK. Not only is it easy on the pocket for the parents, but these progrmmeshave a national impact on the country as a whole.
While congratulating Horizon for all the efforts that it had made in the past several years, the Hon. Minister was also to emphasise the student facilities provided by Horizon thus far, where he said, “…..I have been told and witnessed myself the infrastructure facilities, computer facilities, library facilities and even the extra-curricular facilities that Horizon has provided, in its desire to provide the best possible, for its students. It is important to maintain this quality of the whole academic process. A relaxed mindset certainly permits free thinking, and student recreation plays a huge part in the attention that they pay to their selected course of study. Knowing the history of this institution, and its environs, and great effort that has been made by Mr.Daranagama & Management of Horizon to further develop this infrastructure facilities, I’m sure that students who take the opportunity of studying in such a tranquil environment at Horizon campus would not be disappointed.”
Last but not least. he did not hesitate to thank Horizon Campus and all others involved in the progress of Horizon, “………While I thank Mr.Daranagama and the academic/non-academic team at Horizon Campus, I would also wish to offer my sincere thanks to the International Partners of Horizon, namely the Karnatake State Open University and the University of London, for having the faith and trust in providing your programmes to Sri Lanka and Horizon in particular. I’m convinced that your aspirations would be fulfilled, in your partnership with Horizon campus. Let me wish Horizon Campus all success in the future and hope it goes from strength to strength in providing high quality education for our future generations.”
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