Maldivian educational institute to be set up

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka signed an agreement with Villa Education Services Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, a Maldivian investment firm to set up a higher education institute in Sri Lanka.

BOI Chairman Dr Lakshman Jayaweera and Rector, Villa College and Chief Executive Officer, Villa Educational Services Lanka (Pvt) Limited, Dr. Ahmed Anwar signed the agreement.

Villa College is the first private higher education institution recognised by the Government of the Maldives.

"The undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered at Villa College represent the nation's best and are taught by renowned academic staff," a company spokesman said. The Villa College Colombo Project aims at internationalising Villa College and become a regional leader in providing higher education.

To this end, the project is divided into two major phases.

The first phase of the project would involve the setting up of a Villa College Campus this year and the launch of undergraduate and postgraduate programs with international partners.

The main areas of teaching under the first phase would comprise tourism management, international business and inter-cultural studies, finance and engineering.

The second phase of the project will be launched in 2015.