The South Asian Information Technology and Management (SAITM), Malabe is the latest addition to the Higher Education sector in Sri Lanka. At present there are five Faculties at SAITM: IT and Management, Languages and Education, Communication and Media, Engineering and Medicine. Two faculties, namely Engineering and Medicine, will commence their academic programmes in September this year. The Chairman of SAITM is a well-known personality in the country, Dr. Neville Fernando, an entrepreneur, a former politician and the former Chairman of Asha Central Hospitals.

"The SAITM was established according to Dr. Neville Fernando's aspiration and it is his gift to the youth of Sri Lanka. As of today the total investment is Rs. 700 million which was entirely invested by Dr. Fernando without expecting any return on investment but to offer high quality education to aspiring youngsters" said the Dean, Faculty of IT and Management and Director of International Liaison at SAITM, Chandima H. de Silva.

He is a former Head of Statistics and Computer Science Department of the University of Kelaniya and he is on his sabbatical leave from University of Kelaniya to establish and develop the Faculty of IT and Management at SAITM.

"At present we are conducting several undergraduate degree programmes in Computing, IT and Management for students at SAITM. Programmes leading to BSc (Hons) in Information Technology and BA(Hons) in Business Management from the University of Wolverhampton were started in May this year. We intend to have Degrees in Languages and Linguistics, Interactive Media and Civil Engineering shortly."

"Apart from that we launched two new Computing Degree programmes in collaboration with the University of Buckingham, UK. The two year BSc (Hons) in Computing, starting in September 2009, will be very attractive to youngsters who would like to obtain a good degree in a short time. The course contents are very much industry relevant and include latest developments in Computer Science. SAITM is offering all these degree programmes at affordable rates."

SAITM is also commencing a two year part time MSc Degree in Innovative Computing from the University of Buckingham from January 2010. This will be conducted during weekends. "This includes interesting developments in Computer Science such as data mining and knowledge discovery, image processing applications, mobiles and wireless communications, and a comprehensive research project. This degree programme is particularly designed for the professionals and academics that are in the field of IT and Computer Science and we are offering this programme at a competitive fee structure" de Silva said.

One of the main objectives of SAITM is to provide a typical university environment for its students. There are many laboratory facilities provided within the SAITM Campus. including two IT laboratories consisting of 50 high end computers, two language laboratories consisting of high end Apple i-Mac machines that are very relevant to language teaching and learning, two Communication and Media laboratories consisting of high end Apple i-Mac and Dell PCs and also dedicated Internet access for all these laboratories as well as to all lecture halls.

All the lecture rooms are equipped with multimedia projectors and other necessary equipment for teaching and learning. Each classroom can accommodate up to 50 students and SAITM has facilities to accommodate 2000 students at any given time. Special access and facilities are provided for Differently abled students who are willing to learn at SAITM. Apart from that, there is a dedicated cafeteria providing healthy and nutritious food.

SAITM academic and administrative staff has been recruited conforming to UGC guidelines. At present SAITM staff comprises Professors and Senior Lecturers who are on their sabbatical leave from state universities and highly qualified and experienced academics on full time basis.