Oxford College of Business (OCB) celebrated the academic achievements of 1,550 graduands at its 2026 Graduation Ceremony, bringing together students, academics, international university representatives and families for one of the institution’s major annual celebrations of higher education.

The ceremony, held on 15 September 2026 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, recognised students completing master’s degrees, undergraduate degrees and professional qualifications awarded through OCB’s international academic partnerships.

Professor Roderick Watkins DL, Vice-Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Chair of University Alliance, attended as Chief Guest. His appointment as Chair of University Alliance took effect on 1 September 2026, with the organisation representing leading professional and technical universities across the UK.

Dr Mark Norriss, Pro Vice-Chancellor for International and Partnerships at Anglia Ruskin University, joined the ceremony as Guest of Honour, alongside academics, corporate leaders, international university representatives, parents and well-wishers.

For the graduates, the occasion marked the completion of years of study while opening the door to the next stage of their professional and academic journeys.

Students received qualifications awarded by Anglia Ruskin University, the University of Bedfordshire, Arden University and OTHM, reflecting OCB’s focus on providing internationally connected higher education pathways in Sri Lanka.

Oxford College of Business is an approved academic partner of Anglia Ruskin University, with ARU’s official global partnership network listing OCB among its international partners in Sri Lanka. The partnership currently includes a broad portfolio of postgraduate programmes covering areas such as business administration, artificial intelligence, finance, fintech, digital marketing, human resource management, project management, supply chain management and international business.

OCB also has a formal franchise partnership with Arden University, established to provide students in Sri Lanka with access to UK-accredited higher education programmes. Arden University lists Oxford College of Business as one of its approved international partners, while the partnership includes postgraduate study opportunities in areas such as business, finance and data analytics.

The institution also delivers OTHM qualifications, including pathways in business management, accounting and finance, logistics and supply chain management, and strategic management and leadership. OTHM programmes provide students with progression routes towards further undergraduate and postgraduate study.

The scale of the 2026 graduation highlighted the growing demand among Sri Lankan students and professionals for international degree programmes, postgraduate qualifications and career-focused business education that can be completed locally while retaining connections with overseas universities and awarding bodies.

For many of the 1,550 graduands, the ceremony was also a celebration shared with parents and families who had supported them throughout their studies.

Beyond receiving a qualification, the graduation represented a transition into an increasingly competitive and globally connected professional environment where employers are placing greater emphasis on leadership, innovation, adaptability and practical business skills.

OCB’s partnership with ARU reflects that career focused approach. Anglia Ruskin University says its professional and technical education places strong emphasis on links with employers and industry, while its wider academic partnerships allow students to access university qualifications through approved institutions in their home countries.

The 2026 Graduation Ceremony therefore marked more than an academic milestone. It celebrated a new generation of graduates preparing to take their knowledge into businesses, industries, entrepreneurial ventures and leadership roles in Sri Lanka and internationally.

For Oxford College of Business, the graduation also reinforced its wider commitment to internationally recognised higher education, professional development and future ready learning, while continuing to expand opportunities for Sri Lankan students to access global academic pathways without necessarily leaving the country.

As the graduates move from the lecture hall into the next stage of their careers, the ceremony carried a positive message for the class of 2026: graduation may mark the end of one academic journey, but it is also the beginning of the opportunities that follow.