Helsinki, Finland – The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), Sri Lanka, and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland, recently celebrated nine years of academic collaboration and alumni success at a special gathering held in Helsinki.
Over the past decade, this partnership has created opportunities for more than 100 Sri Lankan students to pursue higher education, professional training, and careers across Europe. What began as a single initiative has evolved into a robust international collaboration, building pathways in Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Biomedical Sciences.
The event was attended by senior representatives from both institutions. From IIHS:
- Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe – CEO & Co-Founder
- Dr. Renuka Jayatissa – Vice Chancellor
- Dr. Amal Harsha De Silva – Pro-Vice-Chancellor
- Ms. Minnell Vander Poorten – Director, GHC Global Education
- From Metropolia University of Applied Sciences:
- Ms. Aija Ahokas – Education Manager
- Ms. Kirsi Koivukangas – Head of Nursing
- Mr. Jari Soini – Head of Physiotherapy
- Dr. Jouni Rissanen – Head of Biomedical Sciences
As part of the celebrations, both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to expanding opportunities for Sri Lankan students. From 2026, the existing 3+1 transfer pathways in Nursing and Physiotherapy will be extended to include Medical Laboratory Sciences, offering students broader access to European education and healthcare careers.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Co-Founder of IIHS, said: “This partnership has transformed lives by enabling Sri Lankan students to access world-class education and careers in Europe. As we move forward, our vision is to expand these opportunities further, strengthening healthcare education and contributing to global health outcomes.”
This milestone underscores the significance of international collaborations in higher education and healthcare training, fostering academic mobility while building long-term professional and cultural ties.
