Looking back, I was a ‘nobody’ when I first entered universitystudies with Victoria University and NSBM Green University, but now I have become ‘somebody’ who can influence the next generation with my success story.
Back in 2017, I completed schooling, desperately wanting to start my degree as soon as I could. Upon visiting an open day at NSBM Green University, Sri Lanka, I came across this golden opportunity to complete an Australian degree programme here in my motherland. Victoria University’s programmes offered by NSBM are the only Australian university degrees fully delivered in Sri Lanka by a local government-owned university.
It was a definite “YES” that I gave for this decision because I’ve always wanted be part of a global family in terms of my education and career. During the three-year study period, the Victoria University – NSBM partnership never made us feel that our program was merely affiliated to Victoria University. We were able to enjoy the same learning experience as the Australian students with access to highly standardised, excellent study material and constant guidance under one learning management platform. Being the very first batch of Victoria University students at NSBM, at the beginning it was challenging to navigate our way through the systems and learning content. But we were so fortunate to be guided and mentored by remarkable lecturers from both Victoria University and NSBM, who believed in us and motivated us always to do our best. Victoria University lecturers visited us regularly all the way from Australia, giving us world-class insights and inspiration.
Three years of hard work and dedication finally became worth it, and at graduation, I was privileged to be awarded as the ‘Best Performer’ for Victoria University’s Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance and Financial Risk Management) degree programme. Graduating as a ‘best performer’ at the age of 20 and being employed straight away was a remarkable milestone I reached in my life. Above all, I’m grateful to my parents for having faith in me and making this investment in my education.
Amidst the pandemic, Victoria University never failed to celebrate our graduation where we, the Victoria University graduates around the world, were invited for an exclusive virtual graduation ceremony organised by Victoria University. And does our bond with Victoria University end there? Not at all! We are now part of the global Victoria University alumni community, looking forward to more exciting connections and opportunities in the years to come.
Looking back, I was a ‘nobody’ when I first entered university, but now I have become ‘somebody’ who can influence the next generation with my success story. The learning point is that “opportunities don’t follow us; we get to create them with passion”. And of course, this was definitely a team effort. There was a wide network from Sri Lanka and Australia that stood beside us in helping us towards our goals. Forever grateful to all those incredible people who helped me along the way.
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