The International Schools’ of Sri Lanka (TISSL) was formed in 2001 with the Heads of pioneer International Schools in Sri Lanka. Its main purpose is to improve the country’s education system, whilst exchanging best practices and enhancing the quality of teaching-learning processes within the 24 member schools. The TISSL association also organizes international conferences every year with heads and decision makers of member international schools, non-member international schools, state schools and private schools in the region. These conferences aim to provide a learning platform / forum for educational professionals to stay up to date with the latest trends in education.

This year’s TISSL Conference will take place from the 16th to the 18th of November 2018 at Jetwing Blue Hotel - Negombo and is organized by the Chairperson Dr. (Mrs.) Kumari Grero, General Secretary Mrs. Malithi Jayatissa, Treasurer Mr. Hemal Abeysekera and Secretary - Public Relations & Communications Mrs. Chrishanthi Wickrama Arachchi with the support of Dr. Frank Jayasinghe and Dr. Harsha Alles as Executive Committee members of the TISSL Association with the support of other members from the TISSL Conference Organizing Committee. The theme identified for this year’s TISSL Conference - “Global Citizens in the making” will focus on topics which are required to build a community of young global citizens, who can function within the international work place. With our youth being well equipped to reconcile their national identity in a global society, we will be able to empower them to contribute positively towards building an emerging world community.

The TISSL Association is proud to welcome four reputed professionals from foreign countries, who have accepted invitations to address the conference as Guest Speakers. They will be sharing their expertise to school leaders and decision makers of our Sri Lankan school community with topics such as the importance of generic soft skills (i.e. interpersonal, emotional, behavioral etc.), keeping up with technology, creating an employee able to handle the International work place etc., that our youth should possess by the time they complete their education. Pearson Edexcel, Cambridge Assessment International Education with Cambridge University Press and Monash University will serve as the three ‘Principal Sponsors’ of this conference. The British Council, Oxford University Press and University of West Scotland (Imperial College of Business Studies) have teamed up as ‘Co-Sponsors’. The British Council will also be sponsoring our Chief Guest – Professor Ralph Tabberer, who will deliver the key note address to delegates.

Professor Tabberer is the Chairman and Owner of BBD Education (offices in the UK, Dubai and Mumbai), co-Founder and Group Chairman of INK Foundation Worldwide, former CEO at GEMS Education, former Director-General of Schools at the UK Department for Children, Schools and Families, and former Chief Executive of the Training and Development Agency for Schools (UK). The other Guest Speaker delegates are also very prominent figures in the international education industry as well. They will each share their experiences in a topic related to the theme of the conference. Wijaya Newspapers Limited representing Daily Mirror, Education Times, Daily FT, Deshaya, Ada, Life Online and Daily Mirror will serve as the official Print and Web Media Sponsor. The TISSL conference will also highlight and demonstrate TISSL’s commitment to bring best practices of world class education and foster close co-operation between member schools and all other schools in Sri Lanka who are faced with this challenge.

A variety of presentation formats await all participants, which include the key note address as well as other speeches backed by multi-media presentations, speech moderation and interactive group activities. A dance item and choir performance will also add colour and value to the Opening Ceremony of the three day event. As this conference is a unique platform and an international forum to exchange ideas and experiences, the TISSL association warmly welcomes and encourages all school leaders and professionals in the field of education to attend this conference and benefit from this rare opportunity where likeminded individuals can come together and form new alliances, whilst exchanging perspectives that would aid in the betterment of our country’s education system for generations to come.

Should you require any further information on how you could join with the 2018 International TISSL Conference, please email Mrs. Jayatissa on [email protected]