Curtin University broadens global footprint with new Colombo campus

Miri, Sarawak – 7 December 2024 – Curtin University has officially launched its newest global campus, Curtin University Colombo, at a prestigious event in the heart of Sri Lanka. This milestone further cements Curtin’s status as one of the world’s most internationally connected universities, with five global campuses strategically located across the Indian Ocean Rim region.

Curtin University Colombo joins Curtin’s established network of global campuses in Malaysia, Singapore, the UAE, and Mauritius, reinforcing the university’s reputation for delivering world-class education globally.

Curtin Malaysia Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Professor Simon Leunig highlighted the importance of this development, stating, “The addition of Curtin University Colombo is a testament to Curtin’s mission of fostering global connections through education. This expansion not only broadens our presence in the Indian Ocean Rim region but also strengthens the academic and cultural ties between our campuses.”

“The Curtin Global Campus Network empowers students worldwide with access to innovative education and the flexibility to study across multiple countries, including Malaysia, which has been a cornerstone of Curtin’s international operations for 25 years,” he added.

Speaking at the launch, Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne emphasised the significance of the new campus.

“Curtin University Colombo transforms our long-standing partnership with the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) into a fully-fledged campus. This is an exciting step forward, enabling us to expand our course offerings into emerging fields such as health, artificial intelligence, and the humanities, while continuing to deliver excellence in engineering, computing, and business education,” she said.

Curtin Colombo already has 700 students enrolled in Curtin courses and expects this number to grow with the launch of applications for Semester 1, 2025.

The state-of-the-art Colombo campus will provide undergraduate and postgraduate students with enhanced learning opportunities, including the chance to transition seamlessly across Curtin’s global network of campuses in Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, the UAE, and Mauritius.

Professor Lalith Gamage, Curtin University Colombo Chairman and Vice-Chancellor of SLIIT, praised the partnership, noting its significance for Sri Lanka: “This campus is not only a testament to Curtin’s global reputation as a top 1% university but also a crucial step forward for Sri Lanka’s higher education sector. It will contribute to building a skilled, competitive workforce while fostering international best practices in education and research.”

The establishment of Curtin University Colombo reflects Curtin’s enduring commitment to empowering students and fostering innovation, with an emphasis on creating opportunities for global knowledge exchange and collaboration.

For more information on Curtin University Colombo and its offerings, visit the Curtin University Colombo website at curtincolombo.lk.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

The Curtin University Colombo campus in Colombo, Sri Lanka