First batch of BCI undergrads celebrated at official inauguration ceremony
View(s):The official inauguration ceremony of registering the first batch of undergraduate students of Benedict XVI Catholic Institution of Higher Education (BCI) in Negombo was held last week.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the chief guest at the event, and in his speech he said a new education system that will protect the dignity of labour, aimed at creating a skilled society will be introduced in the “new normal” environment.
He said a National Education Policy had already been formulated to achieve rapid development and to meet expected economic goals in a short period of time.
The President said he expects to give utmost priority to achieve excellence in higher education. He also pointed out the importance of producing more technocrats in the future by converting all universities to ‘smart learning universities.’
The President commended the progress made by the BCI Campus under the guidance of the Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, endowing the future with a generation empowered with technical knowledge, values and a correct vision.
The BCI, a brainchild of His Eminence, was established in 2015 in honour of His Holiness Benedict XVI, one of the greatest scholars of the 21st century.
The BCI Institution is located at the Sri Lanka Teacher Training College premises on Minuwangoda Road in Bolawalana. Over 17,200 students have already successfully completed English Language, IT and vocational courses within the past six years.
With the elevation of the institute to the level of degree awarding institute recognised by the University Grant Commission (UGC) students now have the opportunity to pursue Bachelor of Business Management (BSc. Hons) and Bachelor of Information Technology (BSc. Hons) degree programmes in English.
Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri delivered the keynote address titled “The Future of Business and Information Technology.” In his address, Cardinal Malcom Ranjith explained 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.
A delegation headed by the President also made an observational visit to the BCI campus premises which are under construction.