To: Admission Committee

Statement of Purpose

Introduction

I would like to introduce myself as Muthukuda Arachchige Don Samika Ashen Perera, 18 years old, a Sri Lankan
citizen who resides in the rural community of Kuliyapitiya, the eldest of two children, and presently studying at
NIBM to gain some additional knowledge to support my main path. I wish to complete my bachelor’s in
Information technology at the Southern Institute of Technology.

I discovered my interest in computers at a young age and understanding my potential later in my life, I wanted
to pursue my education in Information Technology which made me pick this line of career I began with the IT
foundation at the Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) at Wallawatta which I completed. This made me
explore and set higher goals and develop a passion for this field and motivated me to apply for the above
programme.

Educational Background

I completed my primary education at St. Joseph's College in Kuliyapitiya and my secondary education at St.
Joseph's College in Colombo, Sri Lanka's largest and most prestigious Catholic school. I finished my ordinary-
level examinations in 2020 and procured four "A," two "B," and three "C" passes, and I decided against taking
the ALs because there were more alternatives for my career path. Therefore, I enrolled in a foundation
programme at the Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT). It marked a turning point in my life and allowed
me to complete my foundation with a merit pass. The main subjects I gained knowledge of are mathematics,
programming, circuits, and working with data.

In addition, I attended a two-month English camp at Rathnapura to increase my language proficiency and
graduated in third place with a merit pass. I'm currently enrolled in a management course at NIBM that will
provide me with foundational knowledge in business.

Extra-Curricular activities

At my school, I played football. I played center back (CB) for under-15, 16, and 17 first-XI teams. We also
succeeded in taking home the all-island champion trophy. Additionally, I participated in our newly formed
volleyball squad in 2019.

The Reason to Study Overseas

As there is a strong demand for well-qualified IT graduates and especially ones with overseas exposure, I
realized the importance of obtaining a qualification that will take me to the level of a demanded IT
professional. I wanted to make the best of the time I have with the most effective education in a practical
learning environment. I wanted to study in an environment that will bring out the best in me and make me
achieve my goals. So, it was evident that studying overseas at a reputable study destination was the solution.

When comparing studying in an overseas country and especially New Zealand the advantages are very clear.
In Sri Lanka In New Zealand
 Lack of an Innovative and good learning  An Innovative and very good learning
environment and basic facilities. environment with qualified teachers, State of

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 the art facilities, and good teacher/student
interaction
 Ample opportunities for research
 Not many opportunities for research
 High level of motivation toward
 Below-par teacher/student interaction
higher academic performance
 Low level of motivation toward academic
performance
 Lack of opportunity to  Plenty of Opportunities to experiment with your
investigate your own concepts and exercise your  own concepts and be creative
creative thinking.
 Lack of opportunities to study with a diversity of  Opportunities to study with the diversity of
students. students, cultures, and heritage.
 Lack of opportunities to build up a network  Great opportunity to expand your network
Lack of opportunity to obtain a real-world training Exposure to real-world training which develops
experience career awareness and readiness
Qualifications recognized only in Sri Lanka Qualifications recognized worldwide
Education not job oriented Career-focused education

Although it may seem strange to begin with this, it should be noted that studying abroad isn't always simple,
but the key advantage is that it will help you to obtain life experience. You'll discover how to plan your life so
that it fits into a single bag, how to deal with unforeseen circumstances, and how to be independent and self-
sufficient. Spontaneity and adventure are your best companions while you're far away from home.

Reason(s) I choose to study in New Zealand

We all agree that New Zealand is a stunning nation with a variety of attractions. It is quickly becoming one of
the top choices for Sri Lankan students who desire to study abroad. New Zealand has a lot to offer, including a
top-notch educational system, internationally recognized credentials, and an unrivaled quality of life. Let me
explain these in more detail. Over 700 smaller islands make up its two main landmasses, the North Island, and
the South Island. With an area of 268,021 square kilometers, it is the sixth-largest island nation.

I compared countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia and found NZ to have advantages such as population,
safety and temperatures.
Compared to New Canada Australia UK
Zealand
Population 5,123,000 38,246,000 25,688,000 67,327,000 Due to its low
population and
large region, there
won't be a major
rush into the
country.

The safety index 55.4 56.4 55.2 53.4 As an international

rate student, safety is
crucial because, at
first, it will be a new
country for us until
we get used to it.
So, New Zealand has
good levels of

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 safety.
Temperatures 10°C - 16°C -4.84°C 6 °C 21°C In New Zealand,
(Average annual) they have a
temperature that is
not higher or lower
but at a level
comfortable for
people to live in.

Reference: https://www.worlddata.info/ , safety ranks

I'll also list a few more reasons to select New Zealand.

1) Globally recognized qualifications.

• New Zealand's institutions frequently receive excellent rankings, and degrees earned there are
recognized around the world. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) also ensures that
institutions are authorized to accept students from outside New Zealand and adhere to the
requirements for qualifications. Studying abroad is a significant financial investment as well as a truly
transformative experience. Not only because it is a topic that is currently evolving but also because I
am personally passionate about it, information technology is the field I have chosen for my future
career. I would consider it a great honour if I could pursue my passion by studying at a reputable
university like the Southern Institute of Technology with knowledgeable professors.

2) A wonderful culture.

 After extensive investigation, it was discovered that New Zealand culture is accepting people from
various backgrounds. They value friendliness, tolerance, and friendship as a nation. They support
everyone's right to freedom of religion, worship, and belief and are accepting of all religions. The
majority of New Zealanders are unhurried, upbeat individuals who appreciate working hard, spending
time with friends and family, and enjoying the beauty of their home country. English, Māori, and New
Zealand Sign Language are the three official languages of New Zealand. I'm hoping to discover those in
the future.

3) The beauty of New Zealand.

 The beauty of New Zealand is extraordinary and stunning. This is a great location for skiing in the
mountains and taking in the scenery. The fact that "The Lord of the Rings" was filmed in New Zealand
is well known because of how much the country`s landscape matches the fictional one. If you enjoy
outdoor activities like hiking, mountain skiing, rafting, and other sports, this area has all the facilities
you could possibly need. Despite the fact that New Zealand is an island nation with relatively small
islands, getting across the country is simple and enjoyable whether you go by car, bus, or even bicycle.
Reference: link 01, link 02, link 03

Reasons to Select “Southern Institute of Technology” in Invercargill

 The passion of Southland is SIT. The urge to choose SIT as my higher education institution because it is
a government-run university dedicated to providing high-quality instruction. SIT offers both domestic
and foreign students a vibrant, creative, and welcoming atmosphere. The New Zealand Qualifications

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 Authority has recognized and authorized all its programmes, which range from certificates to
postgraduate and master's degrees (NZQA). SIT benefits from strong support from the local
community and can provide international students with some of the most affordable tuition rates in
New Zealand. When I research a university, I shortlisted a few similar universities as in the table
below and selected the above university based on tuition fees for the bachelor’s programme. And I
have highlighted the SIT fee and compared it with the other mentioned institution fees.

Massey University Information Technology – NZ$34,000

Bachelor of Information
Sciences
Unitec Institute of Computing and Information NZ$24,000
technology Technology
Toi Ohomai Institute of Bachelor of Applied NZ$20,000
Technology Information Technology
Southern Institute of Bachelor of Information NZ$19,600
Technology Technology

Reference: Massey, unitec, Toi ohomai, SIT

 We will have the opportunity to explore Southland, New Zealand's most scenic region while studying
with them. We can live in a place with lots of options for adventure, recreation, and even extreme
sporting challenges. We will not only be able to receive a world-class education from SIT, but we will
also be able to do so in Southland's world-class setting. And also excellent sporting facilities can be
found in Invercargill, including the SIT Zero Fees Velodrome, the first indoor cycling velodrome in New
Zealand, a swimming pool, and a sizable indoor stadium.

 There are numerous free facilities available such as,

 Free airport pickup

 Free housing for two weeks
 First aid kit
 Mandatory textbooks and course-related materials
 Comprehensive orientation programme
 Information on accommodation facilities
 Employment workshops
 Regular updates on job openings in the community
 On-campus health nurses, advisors, learning assistants, and activity coordinators

 With a population of 55,000, Invercargill serves as Southland's capital. It is large enough to meet your
lifestyle demands but small enough to offer a stable and welcoming environment where you may
concentrate on your studies. In comparison to other major cities in New Zealand, housing and living
expenses are significantly lower there. Additionally, it serves as a starting point for trips to well-known
tourist locations like Queenstown, Stewart Island, and Catlins, all of which can be reached by car and
offer enjoyable days out with quick trips back before sunset. There are few places in New Zealand that
can compare to the variety of mountains, lakes, and fiords, historic gold mining towns, and lush
landscape that Southland has to offer.

Reference: https://www.sit.ac.nz/International

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Reasons to Pursue a Career in Information Technology

I used computers for entertainment until grade 10 when I began to learn about them out of curiosity. After my
OLs, I had some free time because our examinations were over, and I also acquired a new laptop, which was
the largest turning moment in my life. Then I began to understand everything a laptop could do. However,
after realizing my talents I was very much focused on a career in IT. I understood that the IT industry could
help me secure my future.

I was fascinated by the business world due to my father's influence and also by the way he works. I looked at
their operations and learned about the operation of our poultry farm and, generally, what it takes to develop. I
was unable to decide between the two alternatives for my future, but with the talents I have in IT, I made the
decision to continue with my education in IT and apply it to our family business to strengthen its technical
aspects, guide the business towards its goals, expand it above its intended goals, and also make the business
operation efficient and simple. I chose to study IT in New Zealand, away from my family, to gain experience
and learn more about IT, which was challenging for me but would allow me to gain a wealth of experience.

Reason to Select the Programme that I Wish to Study

I decided on information technology as my programme because it was one of my childhood passions. My

intention to combine modern technology with our poultry farm is the other reason for my decision to take up
this programme. The knowledge and skills I will gain from this programme are crucial to our farm because
everything will be dependent on technology in the future, so I can't let it stagnate. As a result, I must become
conversant with the latest methods and skills in the IT industry to carry out our operations with the new
technologies that will be created. I've included a few modules from my programme that I believe will be very
beneficial to me in my future career.

Operation system - This will make it easier for me to define the duties of the organization, create
detailed procedures for addressing problems, and identify areas where they may improve.

Database administration – This module will assist me in analyzing the data from our company and
using those appropriately.

Programming - is a critical part of the digital revolution and knowing it will be important for me
because my goal is to expand our company's technological capabilities in the future.

Mobile Application Development – A business has a great opportunity to promote its products all
over the world by learning app development.

System Security – Learning this module is an excellent approach to safeguarding our company's
private keys and keeping our business data secure.

Additionally, I've provided below a list of some of the job positions and salaries by the designations which I can
reach after completing this degree.

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 Short-Term (Career Salary(Approx in LKR.) Long-Term Career Salary(Approx in LKR)
Positions) Positions

IT Technician 40K LKR – 142K LKR Data Analysist 42K LKR – 122K LKR

Web Developer 36K LKR – 93K LKR Software Engineer 50K LKR – 288K LKR

Data Scientist 42K LKR – 141K LKR IT Director 59K LKR – 312K LKR

Family Background

My family is made up of my hardworking father, my educated and compassionate mother, and my little sister
who is still schooling. My father began his career by working for the well-known Sri Lankan corporation AIA
Insurance Lanka Limited in Colombo. After my father’s marriage, he began working on a poultry farm with his
father-in-law, who is my grandfather and the founder of Niluka Farm. Due to my father's and grandfather's
dedication, this farm has grown significantly from a technological standpoint since he got engaged with it. And
my father developed a new idea known as the battery cage, Battery cages are a type of housing used mostly
for egg-laying hens but also for other animal production methods. They now supply eggs to the most well-
known businesses in Sri Lanka, including CBL, Little lion, and Fab.

My mother being a graduate teacher is a wonderful gift from God. A teacher plays a crucial role in a student's
life, and she gives her best. In addition to her career, she shines at being a mother, teaching my sister and me
everything from the start, and being a kind, understanding, and friendly parent. And she is being a really
patient wife to my father, supporting him through all of his difficulties.

My sister is now sixteen years old. She continues to attend Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya, a renowned
women's Catholic school in Sri Lanka. With my newfound knowledge, I also hope to assist her in the future.

Source of Funds

My grandfather is the one who finances my education and manages all the businesses. His financial support for
my education in New Zealand has been really valuable. He is the one who is sponsoring my education. I will
mention the amounts that he has saved in his bank.

 NDB savings A/C (106090016183) – LKR 11,702,217

 NDB savings A/C (106110094712) – LKR 1,573,946
 Seylan bank FD RRS-HET22/1206622 – LKR 10,000,000
Total - LKR 23,276,163 (NZ$ 101125.67)

Additionally, the current accounts I've listed below will help in boosting our savings account. You can also
understand our company's cash flow.

Bank A/C no As at 31/01/23

Commercial bank 1510010050 2,409,485.80
NDB 101000113353 4,106,640.48
Seylan bank 17201316008001 3,121,646.19
Bank of Ceylon 0088700347 1,968,918.00
11,606,690.47

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Therefore, we have a sizable amount of money in our savings and current accounts, which will more than
comfortably cover all of my expenses and any unforeseen ones throughout my stay in New Zealand.

My future Career Plans

In the modern world, taking up the challenge of attending a university with a global presence is exciting. After
returning to my motherland, I wish to gain further experience by working as a data analyst in a reputed
company which will help me further gain experience and use what I've learned over my academic career to
grow our business. There are numerous ways in which I can grow our farm, and I want to use my expertise in IT
and agriculture to carry out our business in the future. And I want to establish more poultry farms in an
innovative way where I currently reside.

In the long term, I wish to start my own IT company under my name and modernize it and have my company
provide innovative solutions and help many businesses and my country. I would like to become a successful
entrepreneur.

I believe it is also my duty to carry on our family business and make it grow thereby making my parents proud.

Reason to Return to Sri Lanka

The primary factors for me are developing our business in Sri Lanka, my interest in it, and my desire to see it
continue to grow by adding more fresh concepts. My grandfather and father made many sacrifices to continue
this business in the manner it is today. As a result, I won't allow that company to fail and will work hard to
make it the best poultry farm in Sri Lanka. One day, I want to expand that company to other countries and turn
it into a global powerhouse. I must travel to Sri Lanka in order to complete all of this, and I will never
permanently leave my home country because it is where I was born and spent my young years, where I
learned everything. For these reasons, I will return to Sri Lanka.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I can state that moving to New Zealand to pursue my chosen degree and get experience with
living alone and overcoming challenges was the best choice I have made. And I'm really excited to learn all the
modules and expand my knowledge. I also want to do well in every module, so I'll work hard to achieve that
goal. After that, I will utilize all of the knowledge I and skills I have gained for the benefit of our business which
will definitely help me improve it. I want to be an innovative professional in the field of IT and I intend to help
many families involved in the poultry business and define a new culture in poultry farming by incorporating
technology.

I appreciate your consideration and approval which will enable me to proceed with my education and plans.

Thank you,
……………………………………………………….
Muthukuda Arachchige Don Samika Ashen Perera