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PIM
breaks new ground with entry into Middle East
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| PIM
International Centre in Dubai Managing Director Professor Gunapala
Nanayakkara addressing those attending the ceremonial opening
of the PIM International Centre in Dubai and its launch of the
MBA Programme. |
Launches
MBA degree programme in Dubai in partnership with Institution of
Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka Branch in Dubai
Sri
Lanka entered the education market in the Middle-East last week
as the Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha declared open the
PIM’s MBA degree program in Dubai. At a ceremonial opening
session well-attended by both Sri Lankan expatriates and nationals
of the United Arab Emirates, the Education Minister hailed the new
initiative by the Postgraduate Institute of Management and the Sri
Lankan professionals led by the Institution of Incorporated Engineers,
Sri Lanka Branch in the Emirates, as historic, innovative and courageous.
‘Dubai is the right choice for this novel step because the
economic growth and potential in this country is enormous’
declared the Minister.
The PIM’s International Center in Dubai, set up in the Knowledge
Village which provides infrastructural facilities for foreign universities
operating in Dubai, attracted over 140 applicants to its MBA program
and it admitted 88 candidates for the first batch (2007/09). The
center provides facilities for 180 students with modern class-rooms,
seminar rooms, library and an IT center. The academic sessions commenced
on September 17th.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Dr. Ayub Kazim, Executive Director
of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority, welcomed
the entry of the Sri Lankan University to the Dubai education system
and expressed the hope that it would add a competitive and useful
alternative to the already existing programs of education in the
country. Globalization is affecting every sphere of activity in
the economy and the globalization of higher education would strengthen
human resource development options for professionals while encouraging
more productive investment and business relations among countries.
He welcomed better economic relations between the Emirates and Sri
Lanka. Mr. Ibrahim Jamel, Director TECOM, and Mr. Satish Gopinathan,
Academic Affairs Manager of TECOM, Knowledge Village, Dubai also
were present at the ceremony.
Among the other speakers were professor Gunapala Nanayakkara, Managing
Director of the PIM International Center in Dubai, Dr. Uditha Liyanage,
Director of PIM, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, Mr.
Parakrama Munaweera, Secretary, Institution of Incorporated Engineers
of Sri Lanka, Emirates Branch, Mr. Mohamed Geodo, President of the
Sri Lanka Business Council in Dubai, Mr. Nalin Wijetillake of RAKBANK,
Visiting Professor David Evans and Mrs. Renuka Gamage, MBA Program
Coordinator in Dubai. Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Dubai Mr.
Wasantha Senanayake and other senior officials of the Consulate
Office were also present at the occasion.
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