Business
Commonwealth scholars from Sri Lanka receive a warm welcome
The British Council hosted a networking event to welcome the recent batch of Sri Lankan Commonwealth Scholars returning from the UK recently. Commonwealth Scholarships are offered to citizens and permanent residents of a Commonwealth country with a record of academic achievement and the potential to make a positive impact in their home country.
The 2021/2022 cohort of scholars spanned a gamut of subject areas including International Commercial Law, Public Policy, Wild Animal Health, Translation Studies, Exercise Science and Physical Rehabilitation (with a special interest in rehabilitation after amputation) and Economics.
The event was held in Colombo with the attendance of Sarah Hulton, the British High Commissioner for Sri Lanka and Maldives; Orlando Edwards, Country Director, British Council, Sri Lanka; officials from the Ministry of Education (Higher Education section), Commonwealth Scholars from Sri Lanka over the years and British Council staff.
“Since its inception, almost 1,100 Sri Lankans out of a total of over 30,000 global scholars have received the opportunity to study in prestigious universities in the UK under the Commonwealth scholarship scheme, demonstrating the strength of UK and Sri Lankan ties,” said Orlando Edwards, Country Director, British Council, Sri Lanka.
“Out of these scholars, many have gone on to achieve great things. Alumni include prime ministers, cabinet ministers, Nobel Prize winners, academics, diplomats, writers and leaders in major NGOs and businesses. In that respect, Sri Lanka also excels – previous alumni have achieved the highest status in their chosen fields in Sri Lanka. Returning scholars have gone on to be a Central Bank Governor, Bank Chairpersons, Vice Chancellors of universities, Chair of the University Grants Commission and much more,” noted Edwards speaking at the event.
The 2022 returnees shared their experiences as scholars, speaking candidly about their application process, choice of subject, learnings at university, and their experiences studying in the UK. Many spoke about the new knowledge and specialisations they received in their varied subjects and shared their short term and long term plans about how they hope to apply their new learnings. The event culminated with plans for future alumni activities and a vibrant networking session.
Commonwealth Scholarships are funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). They are offered under six development themes: Science and technology for development, strengthening health systems and capacity, promoting global prosperity, strengthening global peace, security and governance, strengthening resilience and response to crises and access, inclusion and opportunity. While there is no restriction to subject choice, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission gives priority to applicants whose studies are most relevant to their development criteria.
Commonwealth scholars are a part of a global alumni community of over 30,000 individuals who have advanced social change and made their mark in fields such as healthcare, marine conservation, technology and more.
The Commonwealth Scholarship scheme is aimed at talented students from across the Commonwealth who would not otherwise be able to afford to study in the UK. Sri Lankans can avail of a series of scholarships from the Commonwealth Foundations including PhD Scholarships, Split-site Scholarships, Master’s Scholarships, Shared Scholarships, Distance Learning Scholarships, Medical Fellowships and Professional Fellowships.
Reinforcing its long-term commitment to community upliftment and sustainable sourcing, CEAT Kelani Holdings has conducted the sixth presentation of essential school supplies to children of Sri Lanka’s rubber farming community, this time at Meegama Kanishta Vidyalaya in Matugama.
Seventy students from grades 1 to 5 at the school received school bags, shoes, and exercise books as part of CEAT’s flagship CSR initiative, ‘CEAT Cares.’ This latest event brings the total number of students supported by the programme to 650, spanning key rubber-producing areas including Matugama, Ratnapura, Galle, Moneragala, Kandy, and Hatharaliyadda.
The event at Meegama Kanishta Vidyalaya was attended by CEAT Kelani Chief Operating Officer Shamal Gunawardene, members of the senior management, and authorised CEAT dealers in the area including Sarath Premachandra of Chandra Tyre Center, Chaminda Pushpakumara of Chaminda Tyre Service, and Kithsiri Senewirathna of Udagepola Tyre Center. The school principal, teachers, parents, and students also participated in the ceremony, which featured traditional dances performed by the children.
“Our commitment to the rubber farming community is an integral part of CEAT’s ethos,” Gunawardene said.
Business
Royal College Leads Education’s Digital Shift with Sri Lanka’s First Passive Optical LAN via SLT-MOBITEL
Heralding a new era in digital education, SLT-MOBITEL ENTERPRISE and Royal College recently collaborated over the trailblazing deployment of Sri Lanka’s first full-scale Passive Optical LAN (POL) solution powered by Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) technology.
Connecting learning spaces with robust, ultra-fast broadband, the project is designed to revolutionize teaching and learning practices, ensuring students and educators can thrive in an increasingly digital world.
The agreement was signed between Janaka Abeysinghe, Chief Executive Officer, SLT Group, and Aruna Samarajewa, Secretary, Royal College Union, in the presence of several officials representing both organizations.
Partnering with one of the country’s most prestigious institutions demonstrates SLT-MOBITEL ENTERPRISE’s dedication to advancing education through cutting-edge technology and reinforcing the company’s leadership in innovative solutions.
Achieving a historic first for the nation, the fully integrated, fibre-based Passive Optical LAN (POL) solution is the inaugural deployment of its kind for an educational institution. The new system incorporates enterprise-grade network security features, ensuring safe browsing and providing advanced protection against potential cyber threats. Controlled access to educational resources is seamlessly integrated into the network architecture, creating a protected and responsible environment that safeguards sensitive academic data while building trust among parents, educators, and the community.
As SLT-MOBITEL ENTERPRISE continues to drive technological advancement within the education sector, the project serves as a vital stepping stone towards broader integration with institutions island wide. The deployment supports efforts to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that high-quality, innovative learning environments become accessible to students across the country.
Melwa, the leading steel manufacturer in Sri Lanka, recently introduced its latest product—Melwa Welding Rods—to the market. Produced by Melwa, a local company that has played a significant role in the development of the country’s construction sector, these welding rods are of high quality. Notably, they are 100% locally manufactured and come with SLS 414 certifications. This marks the first time a welding rod that is entirely locally produced has been introduced to the Sri Lankan market.
As part of the launch, a special workshop was held for welders in Balangoda on 24 June. During the session, participants were introduced to these welding rods and given the opportunity to test them out first-hand.
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