A RICS accredited B.Sc. (Hons) Quantity Surveying degree is being conducted in Sri Lanka by the Colombo School of Construction Technology in partnership with the School of Built Environment, University of Salford, UK commencing in September 2011. The Colombo School of Construction Technology and the University of Salford, Manchester UK., have been in negotiation for the past year to introduce this course of study as a first step towards their collaborative arrangement here in Sri Lanka. This course was formally launched on March 14 2011 with the participation of Prof. Michael Kagioglou; David Baldry and Prof Dilanthi Amaratunga from the University of Salford and Prof Chitra Weddikkara; Prof Raufdeen Rameezdeen and Prof Lalith De Silva representing the Colombo School of Construction Technology.

As a prelude to the commencement of the course proper in September 2011 it was necessary for RICS to extend the RICS accreditation enjoyed by University of Salford being a (RICS) partner University to the Colombo School of Construction Technology (CSCT) so that the course conducted here in Sri Lanka will have the same professional accreditation.

Towards this end, an accreditation panel of RICS consisting of Mrs. Vivien Small, MA, Director of Education and Qualification Standards, RICS; Prof Paul Bowen, FRICS, Chairman of RICS Middle East, Near East and Africa Education Standards Board & Mr. Chua Siow Leng, FRICS, Chairman of RICS Asia Education Standards Board visited Sri Lanka in May 2011. During this visit, CSCT faced a rigorous examination of their facilities and faculty after which accreditation was extended to CSCT to deliver the BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying in partnership with the University of Salford.

This is the first time a private educational institution in Sri Lanka has been so recognized by the RICS to run a degree programme, which is a full 4 year honours degree programme (3 years taught + 1 year industrial training) in Quantity Surveying in Sri Lanka. The only other institution offering a similar programme is the University of Moratuwa which is the premier institution offering such degrees in Sri Lanka. The degree affords the opportunity for those students satisfying the entry requirements to seek advanced entry to the 2nd year of the 4 year programme. This is an option available to students who have completed a Higher National Diploma (HND) and meet the requisite requirements.

The RICS accreditation afforded to the Colombo School of Construction Technology is a great achievement and indeed a significant opportunity for students missing out on entry to the State University System. It is also an alternative avenue, to travelling overseas for higher education or undertaking a programme that is not professionally accredited which is important when considering the industrial norm of quality for such courses particularly those in the Built Environment.

There are many institutions offering "top-up" degree programmes, which are not recognized by RICS. However the programme offered by CSCT is a programme with a sound academic standing being awarded by the University of Salford, UK which is a RICS partner University. This programme has been designed with a 1 year industrial placement midway (unlike many other programmes which do not have an in-built industrial placement) which provides insight to real life work situations and paves the way to a smooth transition into the professional workforce.

By joining CSCT, parents and students alike will have the peace of mind knowing that the teaching staff at CSCT and facilities are of the highest calibre as accepted by RICS evidenced by their extension of accreditation and that students will be given assistance in obtaining work placements for practical training. The University of Salford is world renowned for its excellence in teaching and research, in the field of Built Environment. It's Centre for Disaster Resilience is one of only five academic institutions recognized by the United Nations and is one of the top rated universities for Research.
Students wanting an "overseas" experience have the option of completing part of their studies at Salford or attending their graduation in the UK with other Salford Graduants. CSCT has been conducting Edexcel HNDs in Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics and Construction Management since 2009. CSCT is already in discussion with University of Salford to extend their portfolio of collaborative degree programmes in the immediate future.

The decision to pursue higher education is an important one and when choosing your education provider, the decision should not simply be based on cost or duration but one based on quality and employability. The UoS-CSCT collaboration provides a sound cognate honours degree that is recognized worldwide particularly by employees seeking QS degree holders.

Make the right choice for your future and register now for the 2011 intake. Places are limited so please contact Chulani on 0773 600 732 or the student administration section on 011 288 5932 for further information.