A Strategy for producing data scientists by the provision of education & training through the tertiary educational institutions in Sri Lanka

1. To create opportunities and train 1000 young
people in Data Science Technology by 2020.

3. The training of Data Scientists to be developed with a two pronged
approach.
The first will be to produce data scientists at the higher levels of Bachelor’s, Master’s
and Doctoral Degrees.
The second will be to produce 500 data science technicians annually at a lower level
through a one year course
Objective:
The purpose of this activity is to form a National Data Science Council
under the aegis of the NHRDCSL to lead the thrust to produce 1000 data
scientists by the year 2020.

4. Master’s and Phd programs in Data Science
*University of Kelaniya, Postgraduate: 2018 - 100 (1st batch 100), 2019 - 200
(1st batch + 2nd batch), 2020 - 200 (2nd batch + 3rd batch)
Institution 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
University of Colombo
University of Sri Jayawardanepura
University of Peradeniya
SLIIT 20 30 40 60
University of Kelaniya 100 100 100 200 200
Other Institutions
Institution 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
University of Colombo 50 50 50* 50* 50*
Initiating Certification Programs
This would include Continuing Professional Development (CPD) initiatives with the
objective of producing internationally accredited Data Science practitioners.

5. Institution 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
University of Colombo
University of Sri Jayawardanepura
University of Peradeniya
SLIIT 30 40 50 60 100
University of Kelaniya 50 65 65 65
Other Institutions
Bachelor’s degree programs in Data Science

6. Strategy to meet the first objective:
The table lists the commitment made by the different universities
towards meeting the first objective.
Institution 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
University of Colombo
University of Sri Jayawardanepura
University of Peradeniya
SLIIT 20 30 40 60
University of Kelaniya 100 100 100 200 200
Other Institutions
Institution 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
University of Colombo 50 50 50* 50* 50*
Master’s and Phd programs in Data Science
*University of Kelaniya, Postgraduate: 2018 - 100 (1st batch 100), 2019 - 200 (1st batch + 2nd batch), 2020 - 200 (2nd batch + 3rd batch)
Initiating Certification Programs
This would include Continuing Professional Development (CPD) initiatives with the objective of producing internationally
accredited Data Science practitioners.
*subjected to change with demand.

7. Institution 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
University of Colombo
University of Sri
Jayawardanepura
University of Peradeniya
SLIIT 30 40 50 60 100
University of Kelaniya 50 65 65 65
Other Institutions
Bachelor’s degree programs in Data Science

8. Strategy to meet the second objective
The following outlines the strategy to produce 500 data science technicians
annually through a one year course.
As far as possible the data science technicians course will be modeled after the
Ceylon-German Technical Training Institute, commonly known as the German
Tech and will be aligned to the UGC Sri Lanka Qualification Framework.
Industry collaboration will be solicited in formulating the syllabus for this course.
Through this process a binding commitment will be secured from industry to
provide employment for those who are successful in completing the course.
Educational and training programs will be created for those who wish to extend
their education after a reasonable period in employment. These opportunities
will consist of additional courses aligned to the SLQF framework enabling
participants to progressively study towards a degree qualification and beyond.
All public and private universities in Sri Lanka will be invited to participate in this
initiative with the major thrust expected from SLIIT.
Admission for the course will be based on three GCE A Level passes with
Mathematics and Physics

9. Thanks