Gateway Elevates University Counselling to Global Standards

Gateway College’s global footprint continues to expand through a remarkable legacy of students securing admission to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, including Ivy League institutions in the United States, Russell Group universities in the United Kingdom, Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8), and Canada’s U15 research universities. The College has also established itself as one of Sri Lanka’s leading international schools in securing university scholarships, with many students earning fully funded awards that cover tuition, accommodation and living expenses creating truly life changing opportunities. Behind these outstanding achievements lies Gateway College’s comprehensive Higher Education Counselling programme. Recognising that university admissions have become increasingly competitive and complex, the College continues to invest significantly in the professional development of its counsellors, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of global higher education trends. This enables every student to benefit from informed, personalised guidance throughout the university application journey. As part of this commitment, eight members of Gateway College’s Higher Education Counselling Team, representing the Colleges in Colombo, Dehiwala, Kandy and Negombo, participated in the five-day Counsel Initiative Bootcamp 2026, held in New Delhi, India, from 8thto 12thJune. Organised by La Mentoraa, one of South Asia’s leading higher education counselling organisations, the Bootcamp brought together counsellors from across the region for an intensive programme of learning, collaboration and professional exchange. The programme explored the latest developments in global higher education and university admissions, with extensive sessions on application processes in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, while also examining emerging study destinations such as Japan, continental Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Participants also gained valuable insights into the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in university counselling, learning how technology can enhance student support while preserving the personalised guidance that remains central to successful counselling. The Bootcamp further strengthened counsellors’ expertise in helping students develop authentic personal narratives, write compelling application essays, understand holistic admissions practices and navigate ethical decision-making throughout the admissions process. It also provided in-depth exposure to university research, financial aid opportunities, admissions workflows and major application platforms, including the Common Application, UCAS and the CSS Profile. Gateway’s commitment to excellence extends well beyond this programme. Its counsellors regularly participate in leading international professional forums, including the annual IC3 Conference and the International ACAC Conference. These engagements not only enable counsellors to remain abreast of the latest developments in global university admissions but also provide invaluable opportunities to build relationships with fellow counselling professionals and university admissions officers from around the world. Dr. Harsha Alles, the Chairman of Gateway says “As competition for places at the world’s leading universities continues to intensify, the importance of knowledgeable, experienced and globally connected counsellors has never been greater. Gateway College’s sustained investment in the professional growth of its counselling team ensures that students receive expert guidance that reflects the latest developments in international higher education.” This unwavering commitment to both student success and counsellor excellence is another reflection of Gateway College’s mission to prepare young people for success on the global stage. As Gateway students continue to gain admission to the world’s finest universities and secure prestigious scholarships, the College remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering every student with the knowledge, guidance and opportunities to realise their highest aspirations.