IFS celebrates 20 years of university collaboration

By Anju Ambawatte

IFS, a global enterprise software company that has built sustainable partnerships with leading universities in Sri Lanka, recently celebrated 20 years of University collaboration at The Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo.

Not only has it grown to become a leading software development company, IFS R&D in Sri Lanka has added significant value and has been identified as an integral part of IFS’ global operations.

Speaking at this event, IFS World Operations Sri Lanka Head and Senior Vice President Ranil Rajapakse said from humble beginnings with just 26 individuals, the company after 20 years acquires over 1000 employees in Sri Lanka and over 3500 globally.
He further stated that throughout the past two decades IFS has developed a sustainable collaboration with universities within the island, initiating and providing services such as mentoring programmes, soft-skills development, curriculum and teaching enhancements and generating innovative entrepreneurship opportunities.

During this celebration, further developmental strategies were incorporated by IFS through entering into an agreement with the University of Moratuwa to establish ‘IFS Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubator’ within university premises.

“We are already known for our innovative and forward-thinking concepts instilled in our curriculum and programmes and through this unique project with IFS, we will be able to grant new opportunities to our students and further improve our innovative and leadership-oriented culture,” said Moratuwa University Vice Chancellor Prof. Ananda Jayawardane while addressing the gathering.

The awarding of 20 scholarships to the students of the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) was yet another noteworthy moment of the event. Speaking on behalf of SLIIT was its CEO Prof. Lalith Gamage, who said that IFS through their work-integrated education system motivates and aims to assist students to obtain their degree qualifications while working which prepares them for a challenging workplace environment in the future.

Rajapakse also mentioned that various CSR projects have been initiated by IFS such as basic IT-training given to 300 tsunami affected students together with the University of Ruhuna and for the past two years donating a substantial contribution to children who were affected by the recent floods and helping them to continue with their school education.

“IFS holds a promising future and together with the leading local universities, IFS has the resources to foster creative thinking and generate innovative products through its Research and Development centre which will uplift the IT Industry in Sri Lanka,” said IFS Group President/CEO Alastair Sorbie.