- Southern Cross University partners with NSBM Green University to offer Australian degrees in Sri Lanka, starting with a Bachelor of Business in Jan 2026
- Program provides cost-effective, world-class education locally, with opportunities for student/staff exchange, joint research, and credit transfer to Australia
- Focus on industry-ready skills and global standards, combining SCU’s academic model with NSBM’s local infrastructure to prepare graduates for international careers
Southern Cross University (Australia) and NSBM Green University (Sri Lanka) will enter into a history-making partnership this Friday, 24 October, to provide an offshore program which will enable Sri Lankan students to gain Australian degrees locally at NSBM - without having to move to Australia.
It seeks to increase access to globally recognized qualifications, increase academic mobility, and provide industry-focused learning, alongside developing joint research, allowing staff and student exchange, and enhancing relations between Sri Lanka and Australia.
"This program will offer extremely cost-efficient, world-class education to Sri Lankan students who get to save considerably on course and living costs", said Associate Dean (International & Engagement) Professor Darshana Sedera, who initiated this project.
"This program will provide learners with an easy route to transfer credits or pursue further postgraduate studies at Southern Cross University in Australia," Professor Sedera added. "We will initiate the program with a Bachelor of Business in January 2026, with subsequent expansion later into information technology and health degrees. The partnership will also include Southern Cross University scholars from Australia making regular visits to NSBM to provide face-to-face teaching and participate in influential research with NSBM staff and students", said Sisira Kumaranathan, Director-General, NSBM.
"We are excited to collaborate in close partnership with NSBM in the months and years ahead, learning from each other, and exchanging knowledge, experience, and best practices in pursuit of mutual gain and development. Collectively, we will develop new research opportunities, education, and community outreach, eventually benefiting the lives of students, staff and communities in Australia and Sri Lanka", said Southern Cross University Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Law and Arts, Professor Mike Ewing.
Also Read: NSBM Green University Welcomes New Undergraduates
The program will combine Southern Cross' cutting-edge SCU Model and rigorous academic standards with NSBM's established local infrastructure and academic support, providing students with identical quality education as their Australian counterparts.
"We are looking forward to collaborating with Southern Cross University to deliver their highly respected, employment-ready business degrees at NSBM Green University. This partnership gives our students the chance to gain an Australian degree without having to travel abroad, empowering them with real-world skills and industry-oriented know-how to enable them to compete in a globalized economy and be work-ready", said Professor. E.A. Weerasinghe, Vice-Chancellor at NSBM Green University.
This initiative ensures industry alignment, providing graduates with internationally applicable skills, and represents a major move towards promoting affordable, quality education in Sri Lanka.
