“The World Class University Project (WCUP) dating back to its inception in 2013 has come a long way. We have secured relationships with many internationally renowned universities. The relationship between China and Sri Lanka goes back hundreds of years. Similarly, our University has fostered strong ties with China and we hope we can move forward to create a strong bond between our universities, Professor Sampath Amaratunge said addressing the dignitaries present at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the Guangxi International Business Vocational College (GIBV) on the 12^th of December at the Board Room, Faculty of Graduate   Studies.

Professor Amaratunge further discussed the university’s interest in developing e-commerce, which is a vastly developing field in China and an area that should be developed in Sri Lanka. He believed that e-commerce is an area that is applicable for all subject areas, yet it could be properly implemented only through the Management studies.

Discussing the World Class University project of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Professor Amaratunge said that University recently attended a successful tour in Australia, creating a link between the Monash University and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

“We will be inviting 50 MBA students to the University of Sri Jayewardenepura from Australia. Lectures, Industry visits and Industrial training will be provided for these students during their time here. Furthermore we have arranged 15 of our young academics to attend Monash University for a certain time period,” Professor Amaratunge said.

The University of Sri Jayewardenepura compromising of seven faculties, today the university is also equipped with a solid foundation of International links that provides Double split / PHD degree programmes, Postgraduate and Double degree programs under various renowned universities in the world.

Professor Ranil De Silva, Director of the WCUP stated that the university has previously signed MoU’s with three Universities in China; he further saidthat the MoU’s signed with these universities are highly active within the university and is providing many opportunities for students and academics alike.

“Our intention is to develop links in the International arena, fostering international relationships and of course, to encourage private public partnerships,” he said addressing the gathering.

The GIBV College is a state-owned higher education institute with major international affiliations. The inception of the college can be dated back 1965.  The College comprises of three colleges featuring Modern Business. GIBV College provides over 50 main subjects in departments such as: Department of Applied Foreign Language, the Department of Foreign Trade, the Department of Accounting, the Department of Market Circulation, the Department of Information Engineering, the Department of Finance, the Department of Fundamental Course, and the Department of Social Science.

The College has affiliations with over 20 international universities in countries such as the United States of America, United Kingdom and Malaysia. The college has over 300 international students learning in their midst and they have over 1000 students engaged in exchange programmes with other international universities.

Professor Lihongmi, Vice President of GIBVC in her conclusive remarks stated that though this is their first time in the university and the country, the relationship between Sri Lanka and China is forever bound and they look forward to working in close relationship with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Upon signing the MoU between the two universities the event moved into a panel discussion featuring e- commerce.