ESOFT Metro Campus marked a significant milestone on 15 May 2025, celebrating 25 years of shaping lives and creating futures through education at a commemorative event held at Shangri-La Colombo. The evening served as a reflection on a legacy built over two decades and a powerful unveiling of the institution’s next chapter through the launch of ESOFT Uni (ESU).

In a bold evolution of its organisational structure, ESOFT introduced ESU as a dedicated higher education arm, now operating independently from its vocational division. This strategic realignment allows for greater quality focus and global relevance in undergraduate and postgraduate offerings, while ESOFT’s Metro Campuses and Metro Colleges will continue their strong commitment to vocational training and professional certifications, equipping Sri Lankan youth with critical, workforce-ready skills.

Dr. Dayan Rajapakse, Chairman and Group Managing Director of ESOFT Metro Campus, stated, “For 25 years, our mission has been to make quality education accessible to all. The launch of ESU marks the next step in that journey as we separate our higher education operations to ensure even greater focus, quality, and global relevance in our undergraduate and postgraduate offerings, while ESOFT will continue our strong commitment to vocational training and professional certifications that empower Sri Lankan youth with the skills they need to thrive in the workforce.”

The event brought together academia, industry leaders, ESOFT alumni, public sector representatives, and media to witness the announcement of three ESU campuses in Colombo, Kandy and Jaffna. These campuses reflect a long-term commitment to raising the bar for higher education in Sri Lanka, offering an internationally aligned experience that empowers students to pursue world-class learning without leaving the country.

Recognising the increasing number of students pursuing foreign degrees, the ESU transformation addresses a national need to retain intellectual capital and reverse the tide of brain drain. The unveiled 10-year transformation plan outlines a strategic approach to making Sri Lanka a hub for future-ready professionals, trained to lead and innovate within an interconnected global workforce.

A key feature of the evening was the panel discussion titled Transforming Education to Bridge the Industry–Academia Gap, moderated by Nishan Sembacuttiaratchy, Chief Executive Officer of ESOFT Metro Campus and Director of ESOFT International (Singapore). The discussion featured key voices from across academia and industry, including Dr. Dayan Rajapakse, Dr. Dillina Herath, Dean of the School of Business at ESOFT Metro Campus, Pradeepa Seneviratna, Global Head of Software Engineering at Intrepid Travel, and Jiffry Zulfer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of PickMe and Board Director of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka. Pradeepa joined the panel representing the past alumni of ESOFT who conquered the ICT industry, and Zulfer contributed as a visionary entrepreneur and tech leader representing the industry.

Further reinforcing its commitment to advancing skills-based learning, ESOFT also announced a landmark collaboration through the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SchoolNet India. The MoU was exchanged between Dr. Dayan Rajapakse, Chairman and Group Managing Director, Mr. Nishan Sembacuttiaratchy, Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Amila Bandara, Chief Operating Officer – Group Business Development, representing ESOFT Metro Campus and ESOFT Technologies, alongside Mr. Himanshu Tiwary, Lead of International Business from SchoolNet India. The partnership was facilitated by Mr. Indike De Zoysa, Immediate Past Chairman of FITIS, and aims to enhance skills development and vocational training in Sri Lanka to meet evolving global demand.

Attendees were also introduced to the scope of academic offerings at ESU, covering in-demand disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Engineering, Business Innovation, Psychology, and Creative Arts. These programmes are designed to blend academic precision with practical exposure, producing graduates who are not only knowledgeable but adaptable, confident and industry-ready.

The event concluded on a high note, celebrating a legacy that has shaped thousands of lives and setting in motion a future where education remains a transformative force deeply rooted in Sri Lankan soil, yet globally relevant in its outlook.