News and Opportunities
School visit highlights growing opportunities in the schools sector
12 Oct 2012
An Austrade-organised visit with Colombo International School (CIS) in September has provided insights into the local market, highlighting the growing importance of the Sri Lankan schools sector.
The visit was held on 7 September 2012 and was attended by 19 Australian institutions and local students, parents and teachers.
Participating institutions saw this as a useful exercise to gain insight into the local student market, study trends and preferences.
The program included presentations by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) on Australian student visas and by Austrade on Australia as a destination for internationally-recognised education and graduate employment opportunities. Following the briefings, institutions held one-on-one information sessions with students and their parents.
CIS was founded in 1982 with a curriculum based on the British GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education), AS- (Advanced Subsidiary) and A2-level qualifications, also offering a full range of extracurricular activities. The school is managed by over 200 experienced academic staff comprising both Sri Lankan and expatriate teachers. A full range of subjects is offered at CIS, enabling students to excel in their studies and pursue tertiary education in major universities globally in Australia, the UK, USA and Singapore.
Analysis
The Sri Lankan schools segment is growing in importance, with increasing opportunities for Australian education providers. Austrade is well-placed to facilitate access to local institutions, given sensitivities around engaging with education agents.