Edlocate which is a leading university representative for Australian Universities for over a decade has been looking at good alternate destinations for Sri Lankan students to obtain the tertiary qualifications. Owing to the high Australian Dollar rate and tough visa regulations families have opted to look for alternate venues that would give their children a valuable recognized degree. Malaysia is such a destination promoted by Edlocate especially for students who for religious and financial reasons look to study in countries other than Australia. While a Malaysian university per se is well recognized, this pathway to obtain an Australian degree is definitely a cheaper option.

Edlocate offers students in Sri Lanka the ability to obtain a degree of international standing from two well recognized universities in Malaysia. These universities are also unique in that they provide less costly pathways to an Australian degree in selected fields of studies for those who are desirous of finally joining the Australian workforce.

Swinburne University of Melbourne – one of the leading universities in Australia has its own campus in Sarawak established in the year 2000. Swinburne Sarawak - is a multidisciplinary institution where more than 3,000 full-time students from more than 40 countries including Sri Lanka and the Maldives study. It is situated in Kuching – the 8th largest city in Malaysia - in the Sarawak State which is 45 minutes by air from the capital city - Kuala Lumpur. The campus offer bachelor degree programmes in 5 disciplines – Commerce & Business/ Engineering (Electrical & Electronics and Electronic & Computer Systems) which are all 4 years Hon degrees/ Information & Communication Technology/ Science (Biotechnology) and Design (Graphic & Multimedia). These courses have ready transferable arrangements to corresponding courses at Swinburne University in Australia.

Students with 3 A/L passes (score of 7 on grades) could gain direct entry to year 1 of the degree courses. The next intake is in February 2012. Those with lesser A/L passes or score can opt for an appropriate pathway programme via a diploma (next intake is in March 2012) or a Foundation (The next intake is in January 2012)

Taylor’s University is situated in Kuala Lumpur the Capital city of Malaysia. The university offers a variety of degree courses at its Lakeside Campus in – Architecture/ Biomedical Science/ Business/ Communication/ Computing & IT/ Design/ Engineering/ Hospitality/ Law and an excellent degree course in Medicine (5 years). While those with 3 A/L passes can gain direct entry, there are Foundation programmes for those without direct entry scores at A/Level.

Taylor’s offers 5 Bachelor degrees in Management ( Marketing) / Commerce (Accounting)/ Applied Finance /Arts (Communication & Media Management) & Journalism Communication of the Adelaide based University of South Australia. Students who desire to graduate from an Australian university and join the workforce in Australia could do these 3 years degree courses with intent to transfer to UniSA after one year’s study at Taylor’s.

The Taylor’s university is now working on a similar articulation arrangement with UniSA for the Bachelor of Engineering 4 years Hons courses in Chemical Engineering/ Electrical & Electronic and Mechanical Engineering .. The next intake for these courses will be in February 2012. Meet counselling staff of Edlocate in their Colombo and Kandy offices to obtain more information for the 2012 beginning of year intakes.