The Asian Institute of Business and Science (AIBS), established in 2018, recently celebrated six years of remarkable growth and achievement. AIBS has transformed into a premier institution renowned for delivering excellence in higher education. Strengthening its position in transnational education, AIBS partnered with Edge Hill University, UK, in 2022. Today, the institute offers 21 diverse study programmes in collaboration with 14 awarding bodies, universities, and higher education institutions, serving over 600 students. Professor George Talbot, Pro- Vice Chancellor of Edge Hill University ranked 35th in the Guardian Rankings commended the partnership.

Reflecting on the university’s accolade as Modern University of the Year in 2022, he remarked, “Edge Hill University is recognised for its outstanding STEM education, and our affiliation with AIBS establishes a robust pathway to deliver world-class learning experiences, particularly in the Life Sciences sector, for Sri Lankan students.” He further emphasised that the partnership ensures academic rigour, skill development, and research support for AIBS academics. Looking ahead, plans are in place to introduce new undergraduate programmes in environmental science, food science and technology, biochemistry, business analytics, cyber security, and artificial intelligence, alongside select postgraduate offerings.

Guided by a vision to create a science-focused institution, AIBS began its journey by delivering the Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma in Applied Sciences with specialisations in biology and biotechnology. Over time, its portfolio expanded to include business and computing programmes, offering five key specialisations: business, marketing, accounting and finance, computing, and software engineering. Building on this strong foundation, AIBS collaborated with Edge Hill University to launch undergraduate programmes in biomedical science, biotechnology, genetics, international business, marketing, and computing and software engineering.

Addressing a gathering of educational leaders and strategic partners, the Founder and Managing Director of AIBS, Hiran de Silva, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to advancing STEM education in Sri Lanka. “Since 2019, we have dedicated ourselves to expanding our transnational education footprint,” he said. AIBS has partnered with renowned institutions such as Pearson Education UK, Rosedale Global High School, and NCC Education UK to offer a wide range of pre-university and post-secondary qualifications.

Notably, AIBS pioneered the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) in Sri Lanka and introduced the International Foundation Diploma in Higher Education and the Australian Foundation Year programmes in Science, Business, IT, and Engineering to mitigate the disruptions caused by COVID-19. Mr De Silva highlighted several key milestones, including AIBS’s distinction as the top producer of NCC Level 3 graduates in Sri Lanka, setting a new standard in pre-university education. He also lauded the partnership with Rosedale Global International, which annually produces over 100 OSSD graduates at AIBS, accredited by the Ontario Ministry of Education in Canada.

Taking education beyond the classroom, AIBS collaborates with leading industry partners such as Gene Labs Medical, Derana Medical Labs, and the Institute for Research and Development. With a strong emphasis on research in Life Sciences, Business, and IT, AIBS continues to drive academic innovation and contribute to societal progress. The institute remains steadfast in its mission to empower students with a world-class education, equipping them to become visionary leaders and innovators in an ever-evolving global landscape.