CIM and UK Government officials host Sri Lanka education roundtable

The UK's growing role in Sri Lanka's education landscape took a significant step forward recently, following Lord John Hannett's first official visit to the region.

Hannett, the UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy, joined a high-level roundtable hosted by the Department for Business and Trade, which brought together CIM and leaders from across the Sri Lankan education sector.

The discussion focused on strengthening UK-Sri Lanka education relationships, with transnational education (TNE), vocational training, professional qualifications and English language pathways standing out as some of the key themes of the roundtable.

Education practitioners engaged in open and constructive dialogue with Lord Hannett, whilst also providing some fascinating insights into the opportunities and challenges of expanding UK education in Sri Lanka.

CIM representative Ms. Onalie Dissanayake, highlighted how shifts in employer expectations and the need for industry-relevant skills are driving students toward globally recognised certifications and the work CIM is providing in the region.

Ms. Dissanayake noted how UK professional qualifications are particularly well-positioned to meet this demand, offering not only academic rigour, but also strong alignment with real-world business and sectoral needs.

The group discussed the enthusiasm in Sri Lanka for qualifications that combine international recognition with practical elements, allowing students to apply their theory to real-life tasks and elevate their CV to stand out in a competitive job market.

Also discussed was how the structure of many UK qualifications allows for greater accessibility and lifelong learning, and by working with CIM, marketers can not only stay up to date on the latest trends in the sector but also remain ahead of the curve.

Other topics covered throughout the course of the roundtable included: barriers to sustainable TNE growth, the student experience, best practices for ensuring academy integrity and consistency, how vocational qualifications such as BTECs align with national skills development priorities and how the role of English language education can broaden access and enable student progression.

Speaking after the event, Maggie Jones, CIM director of qualifications and partnerships said: "On behalf of CIM Sri Lanka, we would like to thank Lord John Hannett for attending this roundtable, which was a great opportunity for a key Government official to hear fascinating insights from some of the region’s most notable education practitioners.

"We are dedicated to not only upskilling marketers in the UK, but also across the world, with Sri Lanka becoming one of our key regions. We have seen many marketing professionals embark on an exciting journey with CIM in this region for more than 30 years, knowing what we can offer, including lifelong learning and informative webinars from industry experts."

CIM remains committed to ensuring professionals are well-equipped for a fast-evolving marketing sector, not just in the UK, but throughout the world, with Sri Lanka benefitting heavily from our influence. CIM graduation days take place in the region to celebrate those who have passed a CIM qualification.

If you would like to elevate your marketing career, why not review our training courses or speak to our team: training@cim.co.uk.