Dubai: 9 October, 2007 - His Excellency Susil Premajayanth, Sri Lankan Minister for Education, officially launched the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), University of Sri Jayewardenapura, at Dubai Knowledge Village.

An initiative led by Sri Lankan professionals from the Institution of Incorporated Engineers - UAE Chapter, PIM commenced its academic year on 17 September.

The inaugural 2007-2009 batch, offering MBA programmes, comprises 88 students. The centre, equipped with modern class-rooms, seminar halls, library and a state-of-the-art IT center, can accommodate up to 180 students.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Premajayanth hailed the efforts of the Sri Lankan professionals as historic and innovative. "Dubai, with its robust economic climate and excellent career prospects, is the right choice for this path breaking initiative," he said.

Welcoming the Sri Lankan institution, Dr. Ayub Kazim, Executive Director of Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City, said: "Our objective to offer a wider range of programme options from leading academic institutions is complemented by the presence of the Sri Lankan University. The Dubai campus has already generated significant interest among students in the region.

"Globalization impacts every sphere of activity. Higher education with a global perspective will serve to strengthen human resource development options for professionals, while fostering productive investments and business networking among countries."

Wasantha Senanayake, Sri Lankan Consul General in Dubai; Professor Gunapala Nanayakkara, Managing Director of the PIM International Center in Dubai; Dr. Uditha Liyanage, Director of PIM, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka; Parakrama Munaweera, Secretary, Institution of Incorporated Engineers of Sri Lanka, UAE Chapter; Mohamed Geodo, President of the Sri Lanka Business Council in Dubai; Nalin Wijetillake of RAKBANK; Visiting Professor David Evans and Renuka Gamage, MBA Program Coordinator in Dubai were present on the occasion.

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© Press Release 2007