“CINEC CAMPUS AND TRAVEL AGENTS ASSOCIATION OF SRI LANKA (TAASL) FORGE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL & TOURISM PROFESSIONALS”
With 36 years of excellence in higher education, CINEC Campus has earned the position as the Sri Lanka’s leading most diversified higher education and professional training institution, building a strong reputation for delivering globally recognized industry-focused education across a diverse range of disciplines, including Maritime, Engineering, Aviation, Logistics, Management, Chemistry, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Hotel School and Tourism.
Recently, CINEC Campus marked a significant milestone in its commitment to developing industry-ready professionals by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL), the apex body representing Sri Lanka’s travel and tourism industry.
The partnership signifies a shared commitment to strengthening industry-academia collaboration and fostering the next generation of travel and tourism professionals through innovative education and industry engagement.
The MoU comes at an opportune time as CINEC prepares to launch its new International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved Diploma in Travel and Tourism, a programme designed to equip aspiring young professionals with the knowledge, practical skills, and industry exposure required to thrive in one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly evolving sectors.
The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations by creating meaningful opportunities for students to gain industry-relevant competencies, professional insights, and career development pathways. Through this partnership, students will benefit from closer engagement with industry experts, enhanced learning experiences, and exposure to current trends and best practices within the travel and tourism sector.
CINEC was honoured to welcome the distinguished leadership of TAASL for the signing ceremony:
• Ms. Sonali Wijesurendra – President
• Ms. Chamila Wijethunge – Senior Vice President
• Dr. Duminda Kuruwitaarachchi – Treasurer and Head of the Human Resources Sub Committee
• Mr. Wilhelm E. Brown – Council Member and Deputy Head of the Human Resources Sub Committee
• Mr. Romesh Samaranayake – Council Member and Human Resources Sub Committee Member
Representing the senior management of CINEC, President Capt. Ajith Peiris, Deputy President Senior Prof. Sampath Amarathunge, and Senior Consultant Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe engaged with the visiting TAASL delegation, signifying a shared commitment to empowering young professionals and strengthening Sri Lanka’s travel and tourism industry through quality education, industry collaboration, and professional development initiatives for both CINEC Aviation students and TAASL staff.
The signing ceremony reflected the collective vision of both institutions to create a strong talent pipeline for the tourism sector while enhancing opportunities for aspiring professionals seeking rewarding careers in the industry.
This landmark collaboration is expected to play a pivotal role in supporting the continued growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism landscape by fostering industry-ready graduates equipped with the skills, knowledge, and professionalism required in today’s competitive global environment.
Commenting on the significance of the partnership, Ms. Mayuri Hanwellage, Head of Aviation Professional Training at CINEC Campus, stated that this collaboration represents a valuable opportunity for aspiring travel and tourism professionals and serves as an important gateway to the industry.
She emphasized that the newly introduced Diploma in Travel and Tourism will not only provide students with academic knowledge and practical industry exposure but will also create pathways for employment and career advancement. Through the partnership with TAASL, students will benefit from enhanced industry networking opportunities and potential job placement prospects within TAASL member organizations, while also exploring career opportunities within the airline and aviation sectors that closely complement the travel and tourism industry.
Ms. Hanwellage further noted that the collaboration reflects CINEC’s commitment to producing industry-ready graduates by aligning education with industry requirements. She expressed confidence that the partnership will open doors for young enthusiasts seeking to build successful careers in travel, tourism, aviation, and related service industries, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
