New premises, New Leadership and New beginning
With its first classes soon to commence, UTS Insearch Sri Lanka has announced a key appointment: the new Principal, Ms Alison Hiscox.
Ms Hiscox, an Australian who has relocated to Colombo, is excited about her new role. Ms Hiscox, an international education management professional who has worked in transnational education for over 20 years, said, “This campus has been purpose-built for the needs of UTS Insearch. It will offer proven programs that offer a high level of support to prepare students for their future study in Sydney.”
Alison Hiscox is an experienced international education management professional with over 20 years’ experience in transnational education. She has significant experience in managing university pathway programs and has previously held Principal and Academic Director positions in Kenya, Zambia and Australia and has managed and developed pathway programs in China and Myanmar.
Her most recent role was as Dean – Navitas Academic Programs (Sri Lanka).
With an extensive portfolio in education lecturing and academic quality, student services, marketing and management, Ms Hiscox is well placed to lead the UTS Insearch team in Sri Lanka.
She is passionate about providing international students with the opportunity to study high-quality Australian programs in their own countries as well as ensuring that their experience is comparable to that of their peers at UTS Insearch in Sydney, Australia. She has a very strong association with Sri Lanka and is excited to take on the role of Principal of UTS Insearch Sri Lanka where students will be provided with both a world-class Australian education experience and a guaranteed pathway to the University of Technology in Sydney – the number one young university in Australia. Ms Hiscox holds a Bachelor of Business, Marketing and Law, and a Master of Marketing.
As her first official event, Ms Hiscox hosted a media briefing at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo to share her vision for the college. She was accompanied by UTS Insearch’s Chief Business Development Officer, Mr Peter Harris from Sydney, who has been overseeing the establishment of the pathway college and is responsible for UTS Insearch’s program delivery and partnerships globally.
Mr Harris, who has extensive experience throughout Asia in education and other sectors, said of UTS Insearch Sri Lanka, “The development of the college is part of a US$2.1 million investment we are making in Sri Lanka; it demonstrates our belief in the exciting economic prospects for this country.”
UTS Insearch Sri Lanka is owned and operated by the University of Technology (UTS), Australia’s top-ranking young university, renowned for its innovative, technology-based campus, and its practical, technology-focused education. Students who successfully complete their first year at UTS Insearch Sri Lanka can go on to complete their UTS degrees in the heart of Sydney, Australia.
Sri Lankan students are increasingly considering higher education in Australia. According to Austrade data, more than 12,600 students have chosen Australia as their Higher Education destination by July this year, an increase of 25 percent over 2018.
“We are able to offer a unique pathway for students in Sri Lanka heading abroad to study at the University of Technology Sydney,” said Ms Hiscox. “Students can spend an extra year at home in Colombo developing their academic knowledge and skills, ensuring they will be confident and well prepared for study success when they arrive in Sydney to commence their second year at university.” UTS Insearch Sri Lanka is offering the Diploma of Business, Diploma of Engineering and Diploma of IT, and the UTS Foundation Studies Program (a Year 12 equivalent program) which prepares for entry to all UTS undergraduate courses. Classes commence on 14 October 2019.