A majority of Sri Lankan IT institutions currently offer only general computing degrees . However the global job market is shifting towards specialization degrees. In the early 1980's a computing degree basically covered the entire spectrum of computer related know how, with the IT industry becoming complex and development taking place at a high pace it has become a must for an individual to specialize according to the different subject areas that prevail in the IT industry.

Today IT qualifications require specializations in subject areas such as networking security, software engineering and database management etc. Singapore Informatics, which is one of the largest education and training service providers in Sri Lanka, clearly understanding the requirements of the global market has developed its courses and syllabus structures where students will gain the ability to specialize in their chosen areas of study. The Sunday Times spoke to Mr. Mahen Jayalath, Director of Singapore Informatics and Mr. Wong Wee Woon, Executive Director of Informatics International to find out about their future plans and the institute's specialization degrees available for students.

Wong Wee Woon, Executive Director of Informatics International	Mahen Jayalath, Director of Singapore Informatics

"During the first year our students will be facing a converged method of study which will help students gain the required skills to decide their own areas of specialization. Therefore in our first year students will gain a comprehensive knowledge of all the areas enabling them to make a proper choice with regards to their area of specialization.

In the near future Singapore Informatics will be offering degrees in the areas of Mobile Applications, Networks and Forensics, Critical Network Protection, Networking, Software Engineering and Data Base. In addition to this we will also be introducing new specialized pathways with regards to the area of Business Administration, Marketing and Human Resource Management as well", says Mr. Jayalath.

Moving beyond offering very basic computer diplomas Singapore Informatics is moving towards catering to more niche and high tech market segments. With the introduction of these new specialization diplomas students will have more cutting edge and marketable skills and therefore be better equip to face the demands of today's industry requirements.

"Once a student completes their diploma level we have lined up with selected leading universities around the world to offer our students reputed degrees. Our focus is mainly towards offering academic qualifications with regards to IT Engineering, but in addition to this we will also be offering courses in the areas of Film Production and Film Making etc. Students who complete their first year diploma with us will then be able to specialize in their chose area of study in order to obtain a degree of their choice. We have also revolutionized the manner in which we conduct our student assessment; in the past most of our assessments have been assignments, projects and tests which are given to students towards the end of the year. However we are now moving towards offering tests online for the convenience of students. As Singapore Informatics has 88 franchised centres located worldwide students gain the ability to continue their courses in anyone of these centres if they chose to do so, which is a great convenience to working students who may be required to work overseas", said Mr. Woon.

In the future Singapore Informatics will be moving to a new location where it will be able to offer students better and improved infrastructure and other facilities. The institute is also very much involved with regards to the redevelopment process that is taking place in Sri Lanka, which is happening after almost 3 decades of war. With this year being declared as the year of English and IT by the government, the institute too will contribute significantly towards developing the IT industry, working in close coordination with the government towards achieving its goals with regards to nation building.

In addition to introducing better programmes, Singapore Informatics will also be improving its lecture panel by introducing more part time lecturers, which will include professors and lecturers who represent the country's leading state universities, also the institute will be gaining the services of a selected few foreign professors in order for students to gain an all-round perspective with regards to their education. The institute will also be focusing on providing it services to the North and East areas of the country, but however will not be going an a major expansion drive with regards to expanding its outreach as its main focus is to provide a high quality service to students within its already established network.