By Steve A. Morrell

Infinity Group’s CEO, Gaurav Batra, recently made a significant stride towards enhancing educational opportunities for aspiring Sri Lankan students eyeing foreign institutions. During his visit to Sri Lanka, Batra aimed to facilitate educational avenues for students aspiring to pursue higher studies abroad. Notably, approximately 29,000 students from Sri Lanka were already enrolled in foreign universities through the initiatives of Infinity Group, spanning across study locations like Australia, the UK, Japan, the US, and Malaysia.

In a media interview, Batra acknowledged the challenges faced by students seeking placements in foreign institutions. He highlighted the complex nature of the application process, citing various obstacles that often hinder students’ aspirations to study abroad. Despite Sri Lanka offering free education in state institutions, the financial constraints of pursuing foreign education made it less accessible to many.

Batra emphasized that although the enrollment process for foreign placements was costly and limited to financially capable students, the demand remained high. To address financial limitations, Infinity Group introduced a scholarship system to facilitate entry, albeit with certain ambiguities in its implementation. Batra reiterated that Infinity Group’s robust track record in institutional placements remained a significant advantage in this context.

Referencing a UNESCO report from 2020, Batra reiterated a notable 94 percent increase in students opting to study abroad, signifying a consistent demand for foreign education despite financial challenges.

Highlighting the educational disparity in Sri Lanka, Batra pointed out that while over 350,000 students sat for A-Level Examinations, only 42,000 secured admission to local universities. The limited capacity of local universities resulted in an increased inclination towards foreign education. He cited UK statistics that positioned Sri Lanka as one of the top three fastest-growing markets for UK universities in 2022, attributing this trend to the limited capacity of local institutions.