The British Council’s 20th Annual Education UK Exhibition

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‘Rises to the challenge’ of providing quality UK education options to Sri Lankan students

On Saturday, 23 February, the British Council officially declared open their 20th Annual Education UK Exhibition, under the patronage of the Minister of Higher Education, S. B. Dissanayake, who was the chief guest at the event.

Minister of Higher Education, Hon. S. B. Dissanayake, and British Council Country Director, Tony Reilly, release 100 Education UK balloons to the sky to mark the official opening of the 20th Annual British Council Education UK Exhibition Pics by Anusha de Silva

British Council Country Director, Tony Reilly, and the Honourable Minister, released 100 Education UK balloons to mark the official opening of the event, following its theme “Rising to the challenge”. Releasing the balloons symbolises the British Council’s affirmation to work with the government to provide Sri Lankan students aspiring to achieve a UK qualification with a range of quality study options in the UK and in Sri Lanka.

Minister of Higher Education, S. B. Dissanayake, speaks at the official opening ceremony of the 20th Annual British Council Education UK Exhibition held at Hilton Colombo last Saturday

The Education UK Exhibition organised annually by the British Council is the largest British Education exhibition of this kind in Sri Lanka. This year, over 50 UK higher education institutions participated in the exhibition, providing students and parents in Sri Lanka with a unique opportunity to explore the many UK study options available in country and in the UK. The exhibition that commenced on Saturday 23 February ran till Sunday 24 February at the Hilton Colombo and attracted thousands of students and parents.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hon. Minister S. B. Dissanayake said, “I warmly welcome all the delegates from the UK universities to Sri Lanka. Your presence here over the two days allows thousands of Sri Lankan students and their parents to meet with you face-to-face and learn more about your prestigious educational institutes, colleges, and universities and what you have on offer for our young Sri Lankan generation. In line with our vision of becoming a regional education hub, we hope that you will consider setting up campuses here to fulfil the increasing demand for UK education and qualifications in Sri Lanka”.

Minister of Higher Education, S. B. Dissanayake Tony Reilly, and former vice-chancellor of Uva-Wellassa University, Chandra Embuldeniya, visit a UK institute stall at the Education UK Exhibition

British Council Country Director, Tony Reilly, said, “The UK remains the preferred destination of choice for Sri Lankan students. There are currently 8,000 Sri Lankans studying in the UK and a further 10,000 students are studying for a UK degree in Sri Lanka. From a British Council perspective, a period of study in the UK is often the start of a life-long relationship between our two countries. The UK benefits hugely from the presence of so many talented young Sri Lankans studying at its world class higher education institutions. We also welcome the expansion in opportunities to study for an internationally recognised UK degree in Sri Lanka, providing students aspiring to obtain a UK qualification the chance to pursue their ambitions in the comforts of their home country.”

The British Council’s support for Higher Education in Sri Lanka continues after the 20th Education UK Exhibition when the Hon. Minister S. B. Dissanayake will lead a high-level delegation from Sri Lanka at the British Council ‘Going Global’

One of the 50 UK institutes present at the exhibition speaks to parents and students about the many UK study options on offer

Conference, which will be held this year in Dubai. The Sri Lankan delegation will join over 1,000 delegates from more than 60 countries to discuss trends and policy developments in higher education. This official visit is organised by the British Council in Sri Lanka in support of the Sri Lankan government’s vision for the higher education sector.

For more information please contact:

Randima Jayasinghe
Manager Marketing and Communications
M +94 (0) 772 521 539
E randima.jayasinghe@britishcouncil.org