Globally, there has been an immense surge within the software industry in terms of demand for qualified and suitably trained experts within this field, and Sri Lanka is fast emerging as a preferred global IT-BPO destination of choice in a number of spheres. The Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) seeks to provide a boost to this sector through the institute’s partnership with Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) to offer a world-class Master’s degree programme in Enterprise Applications Development (EAD).

Ranked as one of the best in Britain for teaching quality and student learning experience, Sheffield Hallam University is one of the most progressive and internationally recognised universities, possessing strong academic and industry links to ensure that students are suitably equipped to take on the challenges in today's highly competitive world. SHU's collaboration with SLIIT marks a high point in the arena of education in Sri Lanka, broadening horizons not only for students focusing on strategic areas of study in the field of Information Technology, but also acting as a catalyst towards developing the IT sector in the country.

The MSc. programme in Enterprise Applications Development, designed for those aspiring to be Software Engineers and Developers, aims to fulfil a long felt need of practising software engineers and developers who are seeking an internationally recognised professional Master's Degree Programme to advance their career. “The industry is still young and is growing rapidly, and the Master’s degree programme seeks to address the necessity for highly skilled experts who will provide employers with competent staff who can apply their technical skills to modern, complex business situations” states Professor S. Karunaratne, Chairman of SLIIT.

The programme reflects the institute’s vision of providing quality education for students' career progression, acting as a key building block in their lifelong learning. “We aim to maximise the employability and career prospects of graduates and give them an opportunity to consider new technologies within enterprise computing and to enhance their analytical and communications skills” elaborates Professor Lalith Gamage, President and CEO of SLIIT.

Todate, SLIIT has provided a large number of IT professionals as required by the IT industry in Sri Lanka, and continues to recruit highly qualified academics and professionals to ensure proper dissemination of knowledge and to advance frontiers of knowledge in strategic areas of study.