Masters in Economics (MEcon)

Masters in Economics (MEcon) represents the revised format of the MA in Economics course offered by the Department of Economics until 2004. This is in response to the growing demand for postgraduate studies in Economics which involve both course-work and a substantial research component, particularly for those employed in academic and professional research institutions.

MEcon is a two year programme offered in two parts. In part I, the first academic year, the student will follow four taught courses. In part II, the second academic year, students who pass Part I, will undertake a research project and write a dissertation of not less than 30,000 words, under the guidance of a supervisor who is appointed by the Department of Economics.

Coordinator: Professor K. Amirthalingam

Email:             mecon@econ.cmb.ac.lk

Masters of Financial Economics (MFE)

Master of Financial Economics program is conducted by the Department of Economics, University of Colombo in close collaboration with the Faculties of Science and the Management of the University of Colombo and the leading financial institutions in Sri Lanka. The contents of the program mainly deal with the financial matters of the dynamic global age in a multidisciplinary environment giving special attention to Economics.

The main objective of the programme is to broad base the financial sector related knowledge and experience among the professionals in this sector. The prospective professionals of the sector are also targeted to meet the requirements of the growing global financial activities.
This is a one year English medium program by coursework only. Lectures of the program commence in January every year and applications are accepted throughout the year. The program consists of 12 compulsory modules with 36 credits. The brochure available elsewhere in this site provides more information.

International students are offered attractive course fees and other essential facilities at the Department of Economics located in the heart of Colombo, the commercial and educational hub of Sri Lanka.

Special Economics certificate courses in English have also been designed to brush up your English skill quickly. This is for needy local and internal applicants only.

Coordinator: Dr. Mahinda Pushpakumara

Email: mfe@econ.cmb.ac.lk

Master of Tourism Economics and Hotel Management (MTEHM)

In spite of widespread political and economic constraints imposed on global tourism development during last few decades, world tourism industry has emerged as one of the fastest growing single industries in the world. Its performance has been highly acclaimed to the comparable performances of many other export industries during the same period. At present, global tourism industry represents around 11% of the world’s GDP, around 8% of global employment and around 9% of global wages. It is also the largest single employment generator of the world economy today. International visitors’ spending represents around 8% of world exports too. Moreover, tourism has been identified as one of the top five export categories in 83% of the total countries of the world.

With increasing recognition of the contributions of the tourism industry to economic development, Sri Lanka has made significant efforts to improve this industry during the last few decades. Today tourism has become one of the largest foreign exchange earners in Sri Lanka. It is estimated that the direct impact of tourism industry in Sri Lanka on GDP is more than 2 percent, but this could be much higher when considering both indirect and induced impacts.

Projected foreign tourist arrivals by 2016 will be 2.5 million tourists. Though the industry currently provides around 150,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, this amount should go up to more than 500,000 by 2016. Nearly 20 percent of these forecasted employment opportunities are also management level employment.

It is worthwhile mentioning that many universities and educational institutions are currently conducting various postgraduate study courses/programmes in the fields of travel, tourism, hotel and hospitality management. Most of these universities/organizations are located in advanced countries or affiliated with these countries. On the other hand, in relation to the growing demand for these types of educational training programmes and also demonstrably inadequate educational facilities in Sri Lanka, a large number of Sri Lankan candidates are now seeking educational opportunities in foreign universities and consequently, a large sum of money is currently flowing out from the country.

Several national universities in Sri Lanka currently conduct few degree programmes in tourism studies (e.g. University of Rajarata, University of Sabaragamuwa, and University of Kalaniya). Some of these national universities have also introduced tourism or tourism related study modules as a part of their postgraduate or master level programmes, but not yet introduced a postgraduate diploma or master level programmes specializing in tourism studies.

Coordinator: Professor. D. A. C. Suranga Silva

Email: tourism@econ.cmb.ac.Ik

For more information and download the application: www.uoctourism.com

Postgraduate Diploma in Tourism Management Economics and Hotel Management (Pg.DTEHM)

SLQF Level  :    SLQF 1 (https://www.ugc.ac.lk/attachments/1156_SLQF_2016_en.pdf)

Introduction

In spite of widespread political and economic constraints imposed on global tourism development during last few decades, world tourism industry has emerged as one of the fastest growing single industries in the world. Its performance has been highly acclaimed to the comparable performances of many other export industries during the same period. At present, global tourism industry represents around 11% of the world’s GDP, around 8% of global employment and around 9% of global wages. It is also the largest single employment generator of the world economy today. International visitors’ spending represents around 8% of world exports too. Moreover, tourism has been identified as one of the top five export categories in 83% of the total countries of the world.

With increasing recognition of the contributions of the tourism industry to economic development, Sri Lanka has made significant efforts to improve this industry during the last few decades. Today tourism has become one of the largest foreign exchange earners in Sri Lanka. It is estimated that the direct impact of tourism industry in Sri Lanka on GDP is more than 2 percent, but this could be much higher when considering both indirect and induced impacts.

Projected foreign tourist arrivals by 2016 will be 2.5 million tourists. Though the industry currently provides around 150,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, this amount should go up to more than 500,000 by 2016. Nearly 20 percent of these forecasted employment opportunities are also management level employment.

It is worthwhile mentioning that many universities and educational institutions are currently conducting various postgraduate study courses/programmes in the fields of travel, tourism, and hotel and hospitality management. Most of these universities/organizations are located in advanced countries or affiliated with these countries. On the other hand, in relation to the growing demand for these types of educational training programmes and also demonstrably inadequate educational facilities in Sri Lanka, a large number of Sri Lankan candidates are now seeking educational opportunities in foreign universities and consequently, a large sum of money is currently flowing out from the country.

Several national universities in Sri Lanka currently conduct few degree programmes in tourism studies (e.g. University of Rajarata, University of Sabaragamuwa, and University of Kalaniya). Some of these national universities have also introduced tourism or tourism related study modules as a part of their postgraduate or master level programmes, but not yet introduced a postgraduate diploma or master level programmes specializing in tourism studies.

Major Objective

This programme is aimed at improving knowledge and skills needed for the decision makers, policy designers, planners, researchers, hotel managers and marketers of the tourism industry.

About

The programme consists of nine subjects and Extended Essay and it is conducted through an application-oriented and industry-interactive learning approach.

The initial registration is for the Postgraduate Diploma with 1 year of studies. On the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma, the students are enrolled for the Master’s degree in the 2nd year of studies.

Contact details:

Contact Person: Prof  D. A. C. Silva

Title: Coordinator

Telephone: +94773518500; +94773131208; +94112596889

Email: drsuranga@econ.cmb.ac.lk; info@uoctourism.com; drsuranga3@gmail.com

Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Development (Pg. DED)

The programme aims to provide specialized skills and training in a number of branches in economics to meet the challenges of current local and global economic trends. The course targets those who are interested in the fields related to Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Finance and Banking, Development Studies, Project Management, Transport and Logistics, and Quantitative Techniques with data analysis.

Coordinator: Dr. Rohitha Abeysekara

Email: ded@econ.cmb.ac.lk