The Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) plans to set up an IT campus in Jaffna shortly, said SLIIT President and Chief Executive Officer Prof. Lalith B. Gamage. “There are many opportunities in the Northern and the Eastern provinces for IT education. The demand is not only for IT, but also for any type of education and we need to tap this potential. The setting up of a campus will be a catalyst for other industries to move forward,” he said.
“SLIIT aims at becoming a top-notch university in the world in ten years times and also to be among the top 10 universities in the SAARC region.
We will diversify our study programs to include other disciplines in expanding our program structure. We also plan to branch out in the region and conduct a faculty exchange program with foreign universities,” he said. “We place emphasis on the quality of the academic programs and also encourage quality research projects. The IT professionals we produce have a big demand locally as well as internationally,” he said.
According to a manpower survey carried out by the Sri Lanka Information Communication Technology Association one and half years ago, it was estimated that the country needs 8,000 IT professionals annually. At present there is a dearth of IT professionals in the country.
“We still do not produce the requisite number and there is a growing demand for IT professionals. The SLIIT produces around 1,000 IT professionals annually including 800 graduates. The institute has doubled the intake from this year to 2,000 students and in four years it could produce 2,000 IT professionals,” he said.
There are many employment opportunities in the IT industry as an increased number of companies has been set up in IT related industries. “There are enough and more opportunities for IT qualified personnel,” he said.
The SLIIT is keen on opening an IT Park and had identified an investor. “We are working on this project and once we have finalized the basic requirements we would go ahead with it.
We have the support of the BOI, the Ministry of Trade, Marketing and Commerce and the Mahapola Trust Fund and the project will soon be a reality, he said.
“We have plans to attract foreign students. This is not only for foreigners, but also for Sri Lankan students abroad. They could come to their motherland and continue to study and obtain a foreign degree,” he said. (DN)
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good job 
