University of Central Lancashire (UClan) graduates of Universal College Lanka’s (UCL) celebrated their remarkable achievements as its fourth batch during a grand convocation ceremony held at Shangri-La Colombo. This milestone event marked nine years of UCL’s excellence in transnational education and seven years of its partnership with the prestigious University of Central Lancashire, UK.
The ceremony commenced with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, followed by the national anthems for Sri Lanka and UK. UCL’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Chamila Ariyananda, warmly welcomed the attendees, setting the tone for an inspiring and memorable evening.
Dr. Dhananjay Kulkarni, Provost of UCL, officially opened the ceremony, emphasizing the institution’s commitment in providing transformative education and recent achievements. The agenda featured the conferral of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including BA (Hons) in International Business, BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering, and MSc Digital Marketing Communications. This year’s 75 graduates were recognized for exceptional accomplishments, with an impressive 26% earning First-Class Honours and a 100% pass rate across all the academic programmes.
Notable highlights of the event included the presentation of accolades to high achievers. Valedictorian M. Janith Iresha Peiris delivered a speech, reflecting on the resilience and camaraderie that defined the graduating cohort. Other top honours included Salutatorian Anjuli Mahinkanda and third-place achiever Tehani Ekanayake Goonesinha.
Director of UCL, Dr. Harsha Alles, celebrated the institution’s growth and the global readiness of its graduates. He remarked, “A highlight of UCL’s excellence is our 100% employability rate, with graduates thriving in top companies locally and globally. This underscores the transformative power of education and the readiness of our graduates to lead in the global workforce.”
Beyond academic achievements, the event honoured the well-rounded skills of UCL graduates, many of whom excelled in research, international competitions, and community service. The ceremony concluded with a video montage showcasing the graduates’ journey, leaving attendees with a sense of pride and confidence in them building a bright future.
The Class of 2024 now joins a global network of UCLan alumni, poised to contribute meaningfully across diverse industries.
As the graduates embark on their next chapter, UCL remains committed to fostering excellence and innovation in education.
The evening concluded with refreshments and a group photograph, celebrating the collaborative effort of faculty, families, and students in making the event a resounding success.
