There are many an on-going accelerated developmental programmes in Sri Lanka, geared to ensure the nation with a better future. After ending the war, Sri Lankans now have the freedom and the opportunity to support this venture in many ways, especially for the professionals who wish to contribute for the country's development.

Professor Dr. G. G. Senaratne, Chairman GISM and Professor Chris Moor, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor Massey University New Zealand are seen exchanging the Documents of Affiliation. Minister of Petroleum Technology Susil Premjayantha, Deputy Minister of Higher Education Nandimithra Ekanayake and Professor Dayantha Wijeyesekera, Chairman of the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission, Sri Lanka (from left to right) are looking on.

"The Graduate Institute of Science and Management (GISM) is one of the recently started higher educational institutes whose intention is to help develop Sri Lanka through its educational and research programmes". This message was released by Professor Dr. G. G. Senaratne at the press conference organized by GISM at the Foundation Institute, Colombo, recently, after signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Massey University, New Zealand. This is an immense achievement because GISM is an institution with which the world's high ranking Massey University, New Zealand has signed such an MoU offering several benefits to Sri Lankan students and their parents.

The GISM, Sri Lanka, in affiliation with New Zealand's premier University, Massey, marks its academic role for the nation. Applications for the Degree programmes in Software Engineering, Computer Science, IT and Business are now being received for the student intake in January, 2011. First year of each degree programme is done at the GISM Campus in Udahamulla, Nugegoda and the remaining two years study completed at the Massey University in New Zealand.

GISM, recognizing the current skill shortage in the country, has designed Diploma courses especially in the above fields enabling students to either go for industry at the end of the 1st year or continue the Higher Diploma programme in the second year in advanced theoretical and practical training. Several full-time Diploma and short-term modular courses that are specifically designed for industry professionals and executives will also start in mid-January 2011.

GISM also focuses on research and consultancy services to address issues in the fields of industry, business and social sectors to find viable solutions. Researchers and Scientists are invited to register with GISM's Research and Consultancy Group. The industry and public sector are requested to confer with this group for their researching and consultancy requirements: info@gismlk.com , 011 2835935.
The Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Engineering Sciences of GISM, Dr. Tissa Senanayake notes that the county's requirement at present is to have more efficient working staff and GISM's intentions is to create "no job finders" but find "efficient employers " actively participating in the development of the country. He stressed that GISM is the first institution in Sri Lanka offering unique service in higher education and research, highlighting the development of Sri Lanka in co- operation with prestigious foreign universities and research institutions.

The Minister of Higher Education S.B. Dissanayake, through his message to GISM at the inauguration ceremony agrees that GISM's incorporation with prestigious international universities would provide opportunities to students from Sri Lanka and neighbouring countries to pursue international graduate and postgraduate studies locally, thus saving a substantial amount of hard currency. The Minister hailed GISM's ambitious programme which has a framework of Social Corporate Responsibility.