Growing up in Sri Lanka, Suvisal Thilina had an interest in technology and learning how to use new software. UCOL’s Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology gave him the tools to turn that interest into a career
Growing up in Sri Lanka, Suvisal Thilina had an interest in technology and learning how to use new software. UCOL’s Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology gave him the tools to turn that interest into a career.
Suvisal expanded his interest in technology while working at his mother’s distribution business during his high school years. There he taught himself how to use Photoshop, and realised he had a knack for technology.
Keen to pursue a career in information technology (IT) and study overseas, Suvisal enrolled at UCOL’s Manawatu campus in Palmerston North. He started with the Diploma in Information and Communications Technology* before transitioning into the Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology, majoring in Software Engineering.
Suvisal says the programme offered hands-on experience and options to help choose a career path.
“I think a lot of UCOL students get jobs because of the hands-on training they get while at UCOL. Employers value that training and expect you to do research, learn, and work hard.”
“I found that the lecturers very approachable and UCOL had all of the necessary facilities to provide hands-on experience. We literally created real software. When it came to systems security, the lecturer created an isolated network which we could do penetration testing on. We got a real world experience trying to hack into networks.”
Suvisal says he has enjoyed living in Palmerston North as it offers sophistication and diversity of a major city, surrounded by an outdoor aficionado’s dream.
“Palmerston North is a student city. The sophistication and diversity aspect provides a quiet environment during weekdays which really helps you focus on your studies. In the weekends, there's heaps of outdoorsy stuff to do. Palmy is kind of a balanced diet.”
In the final year of his degree, Suvisal completed an internship with Manawatū IT company Master Business Systems. There he developed an automated testing suite for the company’s widely used building consent software.
"Computer program tests have to be rehashed regularly during development cycles to guarantee quality. Physically rehashing these tests are expensive and time consuming. Once created, automated tests can be run over and over again at no extra cost and they are much faster and easier for reporting than manual tests," says Suvisal
Master Business Systems hired Suvisal as an IT Support Analyst once he finished his studies.
“The team at Master Business Systems were really supportive during the internship. They really appreciated the research I was doing on test automation tools,” says Suvisal.
Master Business Systems was acquired by Objective Corporation in November 2019, which opened up new opportunities for Suvisal.
“I now work at Objective’s new, state of the art facility that provides teams with cross-collaboration opportunities that lay the foundation for innovation and outstanding software."
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