EDUCATION

‘Pranama’ scholarships for Lanka’s future leaders

Bright students and young people who have excelled at national level in several fields of endeavour will be rewarded with scholarships at the eighth round of the ‘Ceylinco Pranama’ scholarships scheme of life insurance leader Ceylinco Life.

More than 160 new scholarships will be on offer to applicants from the company’s policyholders in all districts of Sri Lanka, the company announced this week.

Ceylinco Life said it has commenced the collection of applications from eligible students across the island, and will close applications on November 30 for the next batch of annual scholarships to be presented at the BMICH in January 2009.

“As one of the leaders in the local business arena, we believe it is important to encourage future leaders, the talented youth, by providing them an incentive in the form of financial support towards their education. The Pranama scholarship scheme underscores the importance accorded by the company to education, which is one the key areas of intervention in our ‘Life Rewards’ programme”, said Thushara Ranasinghe, Director at Ceylinco Life.

Applications for Pranama scholarships are available at Ceylinco Life branches island-wide. Ceylinco Pranama scholarships are presented to policyholders’ children who achieve the best results in their respective districts at the Year 5 scholarship examination, the GCE Ordinary Level, the GCE Advanced Level and to those who excel at the national level in sports, culture, arts, drama or invention. All examination results provided by applicants are checked and certified by the Department of Examinations.

For the next round of scholarships, students who sat the Year 5 scholarship examination in 2008, the GCE (O/L) in 2007 and the GCE (A/L) in 2007 will be eligible to apply. The National Merit Awards will consider achievements in 2007/08.

Homes and Property Sri Lanka magazine out

Homes & Property Sri Lanka magazine profiles incredible spaces, and reveals the properties that get people talking.

With their three editorial pillars of Property, Places and Perspectives, and their unique design-format which enables them to showcase content unlike any other magazine, Homes and Property Sri Lanka provides valuable perspectives on the all the elements of property ownership and design.

“With page-after-page of wonderful photography and fascinating stories, the magazine is full of ideas that readers can transfer to their own homes. With more ideas, more tips, more style, it is as useful as a sourcebook, as it is an entertaining, leisurely read,” Editor of Homes & Property and Managing Director of Well Red Ink, Minoli Ratnayake said.

From first-time home-buyers through to property professionals and investors, Homes and Property Sri Lanka offer its readers a unique and interesting perspective on the developing property market. It encapsulates all that is alluring and charming about the Sri Lankan way of life.

A highly experienced editorial team provides readers with everything they need to know about interior design, purchasing a home and new architectural style, while a variety of advertisers offer a huge number of properties for sale and rent suitable for every price range.

NDB Bank celebrates Universal Children’s Day

The month of October is special for two reasons. It begins with the mark of “Universal Children’s Day”, a day that celebrates children, just for being themselves. It ends with the “World Thrift Day” a day declared, in view of educating children with the virtues of ‘saving’.

As children need love, care and respect to grow to their full potential, it is also important to encourage the savings habit in them at an early age, which will help in setting a solid foundation for their future. Mark these two important events NDB Bank took the initiative to do something special for a group of children who need special encouragement, care and support to take up the challenges in life.

In view of these two days - NDB Bank, from its CSR perspective took steps to open NDB Bank Children Savings Accounts, for 50 sight-impaired children at The School for the Sight Impaired in Ratmalana. The accounts, each worth Rs. 5,000/- were opened for children between the ages of 4-12 years. The school takes care of sight-impaired children providing them with accommodation, food and education. At the end of their stay, they are able to take their place in society as responsible and contributing citizens.

These children come from very poor families where most of the parents are poor labourers or even unemployed and have no means to support their family.

NDB Bank recognises the immense dedication and effort of the caregivers and teachers at the School for the Sight Impaired and believes that the Banks move to support these children will add value in creating a new beginning for their future.

CIM launches Introductory Certificate in Marketing

Students can now begin their career with CIM after the Ordinary Level examinations. The Chartered Institute of Marketing Sri Lanka Region launched the CIM Introductory Certificate in Marketing programme at a media conference held recently at the Galle Face Hotel. The CIM Sri Lanka Region is amongst the first few CIM Regions to launch this programme globally.

The programme consists of two modules; ‘What Is Marketing?’ - a computer based assessment and ‘Understanding Customer Relationships’, an assignment based assessment; designed to provide an introduction to the marketing function and familiarise students with the basic principles of marketing.

Chairman, CIM Sri Lanka Region, Shiraz Latiff said: “In Sri Lanka, professional institutes play a major role in filling the vacuum created by the low intake of students to the university system.

The lack of opportunity for youth to obtain a recognised and employable qualification has led to unrest and unemployability amongst youth in Sri Lanka. Today, more than 500,000 sit the Ordinary Level Examination and only 250,000 progress to the Advanced Level.

Out of that, only 20,000 get entrance to a national university. This leaves the majority of youth stranded without a formal avenue to pursue a career. The Chartered Institute of Marketing envisages to help those who are out with only O’ Levels or the A’ Levels with an avenue towards obtaining a world-class qualification which then leads to membership with the world’s largest professional body for marketing.”

Head of Education of The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Sri Lanka Region Ajith Medis stated that this is an important initiative taken by The Chartered Institute of Marketing which will meet a long standing need of the market; and expressed hope that a large number of students will make use of this opportunity.

Medis added that the CIM Introductory Certificate in Marketing will open doors for those who are with only Ordinary Level qualifications to embark on a professional marketing career and reach the pinnacle in the profession as a Chartered Marketer.