World's Best in Advanced Statistics: Statistical Inference

The Royal Institute of Colombo (RIC), a fully-fledged, private institution devoted to academic excellence in tertiary education, offers degree programmes from the prestigious University of London and the London School of Economics (LSE).

"In the London University Degree programmes, we have earned the rare distinction of producing 1,200 graduates during the past 13 years", says G. T. Bandara, Chairman, Royal Institute of Colombo. "We have recorded more than 95% exceptionally good final year results with many First Classes and World's Best Prizes", he explained. "This is a unique achievement".

World's Best in Mathematics of Finance and Valuation Mr. Goniyamalimage Rukshan Anthony Aponso	Worlds' Best in Information and Communication Technologies: Principles and Perspectives Mr. H. C. B. Sumanasekera
University of London First Class Honours Ms. Shew Fan Liu	World's Best in Information Systems Project Ms.Shenali Candappa

"Our reputation and standing as a seat of higher learning is so widely recognized that our students secure employment even before their results are out", Mr. Bandara stressed. "They have a ready demand in the employment market". "We are proud of our students who have obtained their degrees at RIC and later completing PhD and Master's programmes now occupy top positions both here and abroad, he noted and added that 120 who graduated in 2009 bagged 14 World's Best prizes.

The Chairman said "RIC students, especially in the legal sphere, have performed exceedingly well and have proven to be outstanding in their careers". There is a clamour to seek admission to the Law College as placements are very limited. But with an LL.B degree from the University of London, students can directly sit the Law College examinations without any hassle, Mr. Bandara stressed. "RIC students have done exceptionally well at the Law College examinations with some of them topping each batch. They have earned praise from senior legal luminaries", he stressed.

He said the demand for University of London degrees has seen a remarkable growth in Sri Lanka despite the competition from various educational institutions offering degree programmes from diverse overseas universities. "That's primarily because of the high quality and international recognition of these degree programmes we offer to Sri Lankan students at an affordable cost", he noted.

RIC not only offers a top quality education but also maintains a high standard of discipline. The University of London has also set out strict guidelines for students and lecturers. 100% attendance is maintained and any student whose attendance is below 80% is not allowed to sit the examination. The academic staff at RIC is highly qualified and experienced and most of them have served the Institute for over 15 years.

"The examinations are set and marked in London by academics appointed by the University of London, to the standard of LSE degree examinations and other awards they receive shall have attained the same academic standard. Therefore reading for a University of London Degree or Diploma at RIC is one of the greatest investments one can make" Mr. Bandara said.

The automated RIC Library has an extensive collection of books in all fields of study and supplementary books and also other reading material recommended by the University of London for the various programmes that are offered. Additionally, students are provided with on-line access to the University of London Library as well. Though the internet has replaced libraries in many quarters, the importance of a well equipped library is an asset to students of an institute of higher learning.

"Today's education is not confined to lectures alone as research and creativity play a more crucial role in imparting knowledge", Mr. Bandara underscored". With a perfect library at RIC, students can also access the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) through individually assigned passwords and read books and listen to lectures at the University of London". The facility is also extended to RIC lecturers to upgrade their knowledge and keep abreast with new developments, he said.

With a student population of over 43,000, under the distance learning programme, LSE is rated No.1 in the sphere of Economics and as a major centre for research and teaching. It is gratifying to note that Royal Institute students have been able to achieve world-class results often surpassing even internal students of the LSE.

The RIC is the higher education wing of Royal Institute which has been involved in the field of education since 1971.