SLASSCOM program bridges academia-industry gap in Sri Lankan tech sector
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA — The Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) recently introduced an innovative immersive program aimed at aligning academic curricula with the evolving demands of the IT sector.
This initiative targets university academics teaching Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, and related disciplines, offering them hands-on exposure to corporate environments.
The program is designed to address the skills gap in the IT job market by equipping educators with practical knowledge of industry trends, technologies, and workflows. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, SLASSCOM aims to better prepare graduates for workforce demands.
Program highlights: A nine-day immersive experience
The program spans nine days and is structured into three core components:
- Foundational knowledge: Covering industry fundamentals and emerging trends.
- Standard practical sessions: Providing real-world exposure to IT workflows.
- Specialized practical sessions: Focused on collaborative, team-based projects.
Participants will gain insights into corporate culture, career pathways, and technical skills through project-based learning. This hands-on approach ensures that academics can bring industry-relevant knowledge into classrooms, enhancing student preparedness for the modern workplace.
Strengthening academia-industry collaboration
SLASSCOM’s initiative highlights the importance of bridging theoretical education with practical applications. By engaging directly with leading IT companies such as Wiley, Virtusa, hSenid, IFS, and LSEG during the pilot phase, academics gain valuable insights into corporate standards and emerging technologies.
“The hands-on exposure academics gain through this program enables them to bring current industry knowledge into the classroom,” SLASSCOM emphasized in a statement. This collaboration is expected to foster a dynamic learning environment where students benefit from both theoretical and practical expertise.
Pilot success and future expansion
The pilot phase involves partnerships with institutions, including the University of Moratuwa, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, the National Institute of Business Management (NIBM), and the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT). Supported by SLASSCOM’s Capacity and HR Forums and funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the program plans to expand across state and non-state universities in Sri Lanka.
This initiative aligns with SLASSCOM’s broader vision of generating $5 billion in export revenue by 2025 while creating 200,000 jobs in Sri Lanka’s IT sector. By continuously improving academic delivery through such programs, SLASSCOM is fostering a sustainable pipeline of skilled graduates ready to meet global IT demands.
A step toward transforming Sri Lanka’s IT education
SLASSCOM’s immersive program represents a significant step in addressing gaps in Sri Lanka’s higher education system. Integrating industry insights into academic curricula ensures that graduates are equipped with both technical skills and professional readiness—key factors in driving economic growth in a knowledge-based economy.
