NIBM collaborates with Limkokwing University to launch National Innovation Centre

1: Seated at the head table (From left): Limkokwing University Brand Creativity and Talent Development Vice President Dato Tiffanee Marie Lim, Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Chandima Weerakkody and NIBM Director General Dr. D.M.A. Kulasooriya
Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

By Harshana Sellahewa
The National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) recently joined forces with Malaysia’s Limkokwing University of Creative Technology to launch the National Innovation Centre (NIC), which will present a highly conducive environment to empower the future generation with demanding entrepreneurial skills, modern technology, innovation and creativity.

NIBM is a business management and IT education institute in Sri Lanka, was founded in 1968, and today the institution is headed by NIBM Chairman Sudharma Karunarathne and NIBM Director General Dr. D.M.A. Kulasooriya. Limkokwing University of Creative Technology is a private international university, with its main campus based in Malaysia and a presence across Africa, Europe and Asia. Established in 1991, Limkokwing university is headed by Founder and President Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Dr Lim Kok Wing.

The press conference to announce the launch of the National Innovation Centre was held at the Cinnamon lakeside Colombo, and the occasion was graced by Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Chandima Weerakkody, NIBM Director General Dr. D.M.A. Kulasooriya and Limkokwing University Brand Creativity and Talent Development Vice President Dato Tiffanee Marie Lim. Located in the heart of Colombo, the National Innovation Centre is a resource centre which offers a host of programmes to groom a new generation fully-fledged graduates armed with most sought-after skills.

“As the government, we have decided to give priority to the skills sector education, which includes vocational training and technical education. Stepping up another foot, the government thought that we must open up our venues for Sri Lankan youth to think to be creative; to guide them on how to be creative. Limkokwing University has proven on its own that they can sharpen creativity that is hidden in a youth by training them the proper way, giving them good exposure, and giving them the best possible links,” Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Chandima Weerakkody said.

Limkokwing University Brand Creativity and Talent Development Vice President Dato Tiffanee Marie Lim addressing the audience stated: “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to be here, we’ve been working with NIBM for about six years when we were their first international partner delivering creative programmes and we have fantastic students studying high tech programmes already, but we were very pleased to receive the invitation to come to Sri Lanka to help create the National Innovation Centre through which we hope to empower a smart, savvy, sexy and secure generation of Sri Lankans in the creative field.”

Students can choose from a range of programmes that include multimedia, fashion, design, architecture, communication, journalism, sound and music and Information Technology. The institute delivers globally-acclaimed professional knowledge and qualifications, in addition to helping students develop core competencies to become creative and commercial astutes.

Further, addressing the gathering, NIBM Director General Dr. D.M.A. Kulasooriya stated: “NIBM has been operating for the last 50 years under different ministries, and we have been supporting the youth of the country for a long time in the field of higher education. We’ve had different partnerships with leading universities in the world, but I find that Limkokwing University is on of the best universities in the creative industry in the world.”

The National Innovation Centre’s educational core values will help the students to graduate with up-to-date global knowhow together with the ability to discover their innate talents and thrive in the rapidly developing new economy of the 21st century.

The audience also was entertained with a few musical performances, and a few video clips illustrating about Limkokwing University, NIBM and the new plan for the National Innovation Centre.

The inauguration ceremony of the National Innovation Centre will take place under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena on 20th October.

NIBM’s vision is to be the best business education institute in Sri Lanka, and it strives to develop competencies in people and organisations through training and consultancy.