Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT), the pioneer in British higher education in Sri Lanka and the country’s premier IT and Business campus,held its annual convocation at the BMICH for the 24th consecutive year recently. The convocation witnessed over 200 students of IIT obtain globallyrenowned undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the field of IT and Business offered by the University of Westminster - United Kingdom. During the ceremony, degrees were conferred to students who had successfully completed the Master of Science in Advanced Software Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Software Engineering, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science and Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Systems with Business Management degrees. The degrees were conferred by Dr. Peter Bonfield - Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Westminster (UOW).

The Chief Guest at the event was Sri Lankan cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara who delivered an inspiring speech on how to overcome hurdles in life and the significance of determination in the pursuit of success. Prof. Alex Hughes - Deputy Vice Chancellor (Global), Prof. Stephen Brookhouse – Associate Head (External Relations) and several other academics of the University of Westminster graced the occasion together with a large gathering of IIT staff and parents. Numerous awards were presented to students who performed exceptionally during their time at IIT. “Dr. Gamini Wickramasinghe Gold Medals” were awarded to four outstanding students for their best performances. They were Mohamed Hisham for Master of Science (MSc) in Advanced Software Engineering, Savindu Dias for Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) Honours in Software Engineering, Akila Hettiarachchi for Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours in Computer Science and Ashan Liyanachchi for Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours in Information Systems with Business Management.

Leading IT organizations in Sri Lanka presented the ‘Best Final Year Project’ awards for the best projects completed by the students. Savindu Dias was presented the project award for the Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) Honours in Software Engineering by Zone24X7, Akila Hettiarachchi was presented the project award by I n format ics International Limited for Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours in Computer Science and Himasha Fernando was presented the project award by LOLC Technologies Limited for Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours in Information Systems with Business Management. The ‘UoW Awards’ from University of Westminster for all-round performance were presented to Chamath Palihawadana for Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) Honours in Software Engineering, Banu Athuraliya for Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours in Computer Science and Dilthushi Jayawardana for Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours in Information Systems with Business Management. Additionally, Achala Aponso – Lecturer at the Department of Computing was given special recognition by The Board of Management of IIT for his success in securing an award at The Presidential Awards 2016.

Through hard work and dedication, he was able to get his research published in high-impact journals thereby bringing great honour to the Institute. Delivering the Welcome Address, Prof. Jayantha Wijeyaratne - Director of the IIT stated, “Today, we are living in the rapidly-changing era of 4th industrial revolution, which is reliant on knowledge-based economy. The skills and competencies required for this modern era of knowledgebased economy are highly complex. I am confident that the graduates who will be conferred with a degree from one of the most prestigious British universities, the University of Westminster, and have studied at the premier British higher education institute in Sri Lanka, the Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT), have developed the skills and competencies required for this dynamic era.” Addressing the audience, Dr. Peter Bonfield - The Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Westminster (UOW) stated, “The University of Westminster is a UK university with a determinedly global outlook and a strong commitment to industry engagement and to preparing our students for professional graduate life.

All our programmes embrace enterprise, innovation and creativity and aim to help students from all backgrounds unlock their skills and fulfil their potential.” He added, “Over the past two decades, Westminster has been proudly developing and delivering academic programmes across the world - not just here in Sri Lanka but also in China, Uzbekistan and across Europe. Our work with IIT, its students and our international alumni community in Sri Lanka and beyond puts Westminster learning in an international context.” Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) was established in 1990 as the first private higher education institute that awards reputed British degrees in the field of ICT and Business. IIT is an award-winning campus offering internal postgraduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Westminster, UK and Robert Gordon University, UK. IIT has played a pivotal role in strengthening the IT and Business sectors in Sri Lanka over the years by producing world-class graduates. These graduates have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs and IT/Business professionals in both local and international corporate and government entities. Since its inception, IIT has produced thousands of graduates who have excelled in over 250 organizations around the globe.