Creating a talented pool of allied healthcare professionals to support the nation’s growing healthcare needs, SLIIT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hemas Hospital, Wattala, the flagship hospital of the Hemas Hospitals chain recently, to facilitate the clinical learning process of undergraduate nurses. Established in 2008, Hemas Hospitals is a Sri Lankan leadingprivate sector multichain hospital which has been accredited with Australian Council on Health Standards International (ACSHI) recognised as the gold standard in healthcare. SLIIT’s collaboration with Hemas Hospital Wattala is aligned with its’s vision and objectives to ensure that students are well equipped academically and vocationally.

The MoU also accentuates SLIIT’s reputation as a pacesetter in establishing industrial linkages and recognition by a leading healthcare provider of the value of its nursing programmes. The SLIIT School of Nursing, part of the School of Nursing, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences (FHS), is registered with Private Health Services Regulatory Commission (PHSRC) and Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) in Sri Lanka and deliversnursing programmes such asthe Higher Diploma in Nursing programme and the BSc. (Hons) Nursing (International) programme. The SLIIT Higher Diploma in Nursing, a three-year programme leading to B.Sc. (Hons) Nursing (International) degree offers a professionally accredited and internationally recognised qualification where students complete supervised clinical practice within hospital settings as well as in the community.

The B.Sc. (Hons) Nursing (International) programme which is offered by the Liverpool John Moores University in United Kingdomspans 16 months is designed to serve as a higher learning opportunity mainly forworking nurses in the Government sector seeking career enhancements and individuals who are already equipped with a three-year nursing Diploma and registered at Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) or Sri Lanka Nursing Council (SLNC). This is an internationally acclaimed training programme with modules covering additional theory as well as practical knowledge. Addressing the demands of the international job market, SLIIT’s Faculty of Humanities and Science is also planning to commencea one-year, NVQ L4 Caregiver programme through the School of Nursing in January 2022. This Caregiver programme meets the standards of Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) and is in the process of being reviewed by TVEC for NVQ L4 accreditation. Students will be offered on-the-jobtraining (OJT) for six months ensuring they receive a hands-on experience in the health care sector.