Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale, Illinois, USA, has signed a series of agreements with prominent Sri Lankan educational institutions, creating fresh educational pathways for Sri Lankan students and strengthening ties between the United States and Sri Lanka.
In December 2023, a Sri Lankan delegation led by Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe met with senior SIU officials to discuss a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at expanding opportunities for Sri Lankan students in the U.S. This collaboration, facilitated by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, has since culminated in multiple MOUs between SIU and several top-tier Sri Lankan public and private institutions.
Ambassador Samarasinghe hailed this development as a pivotal step in fostering U.S.-Sri Lanka educational partnerships. SIU’s Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, Costas Tsatsoulis, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration, citing the university’s commitment to diversity and student success under its “Imagine 2030” strategic plan. He voiced confidence that Sri Lankan students will add to SIU’s reputation, emphasizing the benefits of studying at a leading research university with high-level educational offerings.
In March 2024, NSBM Green University became the first Sri Lankan institution to sign an MOU with SIU. Following this, agreements were also signed with the National Institute of Business Management (NIBM), Nagananda International Institute for Buddhist Studies (NIIBS), and Horizon Campus, further strengthening these academic partnerships. Ongoing discussions with the University of Moratuwa and the Open University of Sri Lanka signal additional collaborations in the near future.
“These agreements pave the way for a bright future for Sri Lankan students,” stated Ambassador Samarasinghe. He also expressed his gratitude to SIU officials, including Costas Tsatsoulis, Associate Dean Karen Jones, and Peter Li, Director of the Center for International Education, for their efforts in realizing these collaborations.
Founded in 1869, SIU is a distinguished research university ranked within the top 5% of U.S. institutions for research activity and holds a Carnegie Classification of high research activity for doctoral programs. The university also secures substantial annual funding for its research and training programs, solidifying its role as a leader in academic excellence and service-based education.
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