30 Years of Academic Excellence…
View(s):RIC or RoyaI Institute of Colombo is the degree awarding wing of the famous network of International schools known as Royal Institute. RIC has been involved in university teaching for the past 30 years with over 20 years of experience in teaching and preparing students for BSc and LLB Degrees from the University of London. It is thanks to the demand placed on the Degrees from the University of London and the commitment of our students and lecturers that we have been able to engage in the preparation of students for these Degrees for such a long time. Mr. G.T. Bandara, Managing Director/ Chairman of RIC is not only a veteran entrepreneur but also a skilled teacher and educationist who know the value of education. Therefore, he has always taken a personal interest in the teaching-learning process and adopted a student-friendly attitude towards teaching. Therefore, ‘commitment to excellence’ starts right at the top of the management at RIC with a history spanning over 30 years.
The ONLY Provider in Sri Lanka with the Prestigious ‘Affiliate Centre’ Status
“RIC is one of only eighteen Affiliate Centres in the world and the only one in Sri Lanka. Affiliate status is the highest category of recognition granted by the University of London and denotes a long-term commitment to quality of teaching, administration and support. Affiliate Centres are regularly visited and reviewed by the University to ensure that they maintain the high standards associated with this status. RIC has consistently demonstrated its adherence to the University of London’s high standards as is shown by its strong track record of student success over many years.”
–Dr. Keith Sharp (Director, University of London, International Programmes at LSE) -
To be granted ‘Affiliate’ status is indeed a prestigious award which is also proof of the recognition and trust placed on us and our teaching by the University of London. We would not have been placed in this position if not for our longstanding ‘commitment to excellence’, qualified and experienced teaching staff, state-of-the-art facilities and the outstanding performances by our students.
We have undertaken the responsibility of preparing students for 15 Degrees awarded by the prestigious University of London. Among the Degrees are LLB, Accounting, Business Studies, Development and Economics, Economics, Economics and Accounting, Economics and Management, Information Systems and Management, International Relations, Management, Law with Management, Mathematics and Economics and Sociology. In addition to these Degrees, there are three Diplomas awarded by the same University, namely the Diplomas in Law, Economics and Social Sciences. These Diplomas are also pathways to the LLB and BSc Degrees mentioned above, i.e. a student successfully completing the Diplomas can complete his/her desired Degree after two more years of study at RIC.
Study guides, curriculum and examination papers are prepared by and the marking of answer scripts is done by lecturers and examiners from the University of London. Our students have been commended by the University of London for the results they obtain in spite of the challenging and competitive academic environment world-wide. The number of students who have received certificates of commendation and awards from the authorities of the University of London is noteworthy. We have been able to maintain a pass rate of above 95% throughout the years. Several of our students have been awarded world prizes for best results at all our past convocations.
Another ‘One of a Kind’ Partnership with Deakin University in Australia
After several thousands of success stories with the University of London International Programme, we have now formed a new alliance with another reputed international partner, namely Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia to fulfil our mission of awarding prestigious degrees to Sri Lankan students. We have embarked on a journey of exploring a new avenue of awarding BSc Degrees in the fields of Engineering, Information Technology, Science and Biomedical Science with their partnership. Teaching for the first one or two years of these Degrees will be undertaken by RIC under the supervision of Deakin University. The degree would then have to be completed at Deakin University in Australia with at least one year of study there.
Deakin also achieved excellent results in the Australian Research Council 2010 awards and won the 2009 Governor of Victoria Export Award for Education and Training in recognition of the University’s innovation in commitment to advancing education, training and research in international markets. Its reputation as an award winning University ensures that professional associations, relevant industries and universities world-wide would recognize a Deakin degree as one of value.
The Deakin – RIC affiliation offers four degree programs, they are; Bachelor of Engineering (Civil, Mechanical or Mechatronics and Robotic Engineering), Bachelor of Information Technology (Computer Science, Game Development, Interactive Media Design, Networking, Mathematical Modeling, Software Development, Web Systems or Security), Bachelor of Science (Biology, Biological Chemistry, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Mathematical Modeling or Zoology) and Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Health Science, Nutrition and Exercise Science or Biotechnology).
The Future of Our Graduates
Our graduates are very well received and placed in the job market both in and out of Sri Lanka. This is proof of the very high value placed on the Degree programme and the graduates. Most of our graduates are placed in very sophisticated positions in the job market even before their results are released. Among them are some who join the international work force. Furthermore, we are yet to come across a RIC graduate who has been unemployed involuntarily.
The qualification they obtain is recognized by any university in the world which gives the students the opportunity for graduate studies anywhere in the world. A student who successfully completes the LLB Degree can become a lawyer in Sri Lanka after a minimum of one and half years of study at the Law College. These facts point out the recognition given to the University of London Degrees both nationally and internationally.
Students who join the Deakin programme will have the added advantage of finding job placements in Australia at the end of the study period.
Why RIC?
There are several advantages that can be reaped by a student through joining the RIC programmes. Firstly, he/she would be able to complete an internationally reputed Degree in the comforts of his/her family. This will help avoid the anxiety an adolescent student would feel if he/she were to study in a foreign country away from family and friends and also the anxiety of parents who would worry about the well-being of their son/daughter studying in a foreign country. Secondly, at RIC you would be spending a fraction of what you would have to pay for the same Degree in London or in Melbourne. Thirdly, our English language department will offer additional English classes for students who are doubtful about their level of English language competency to follow these degrees.
A highly qualified and experienced panel of lecturers will be guiding our students throughout the years spent at RIC. Our lecturers show the commitment of a mother or father who is keen to educate one’s child. Furthermore, we have created an environment conducive to learning; air conditioned lecture rooms, a library with an up-to-date collection of books and a state-of-the-art computer and science laboratories are a few of the highlights.
The student life at RIC gives the students the opportunity to enjoy a fulfilling ‘campus life’. The opportunities for extra-curricular activities organized jointly by the RIC management and the student union are diverse. Debates, sports day, Christmas party, dinner dance are some of these activities worthy of mention. These activities not only provide entertainment and pleasure for the students but also an opportunity to sharpen their skills as leaders and organizers. The student body plays an active role in organizing the annual convocation of RIC.
Above all the most important factor is that the students will have the opportunity of following a Degree programme with a group of students who are not only intelligent and disciplined but also committed to their studies and who take ‘learning’ seriously. At RIC we give a lot of emphasis to student discipline as we believe discipline is at the foundation of ‘successful learning’ and the development of well-rounded personalities who would be capable of facing any challenge in future.
Daya Kulatunga
General Manager
Royal Institute (Pvt) Limited
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