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American education at ANC:

Planning for success after O/Levels

Ornella Munaweera	Minon Weerasinghe

America is a known leader in every field and its impact on literally everything is undeniable. From medicine, science, and business to entertainment, computer technology, and engineering, America and American companies drive innovation, business, and opportunity.

America accounts for nearly one third of the planet's economy. From Hollywood for entertainment, Wall Street for finance, and Madison Avenue for advertising, to Silicon Valley for computers, John Hopkins for medicine, and Fifth Avenue for fashion, American destinations are among the worlds best known. American brands and icons are synonymous with success and there simply isn't a field without an American icon for achievement.

In fact, well over 400 American companies rank in the Worlds Top 1,000 (the Global 1000 by Business Week).

American education has helped produce these successes. American education combines a career-oriented approach with a broad-based general knowledge in the context of a classroom experience that is not based on merely reading textbooks and taking exams. American students focus on acquiring knowledge and how to apply that knowledge.

There is what can be referred to as "continual assessment" and where relevant, an opportunity to apply knowledge. American students learn by interaction, participation, and practical activities as well as textbooks, classroom theory, and exams.

For graduates this means a greater chance of personal and professional success as well as global opportunities with thousands of American corporations and the international companies they work with all around the world.

And, with nearly 4,000 universities and hundreds of programs, American education not only offers the prospect of success, it offers the chance of success in the field that a student actually loves.

There is ample opportunity for all students, regardless of their interests. And by studying in a field that is of genuine interest to the individual, a student will do much better and, therefore, increase their chances of success.

ANC has emerged as one of the leaders in American university programs for both Sri Lankan and international students studying in Sri Lanka.

A wide range of programs ensures an option to meet individual student and family requirements. Most students follow the American transfer program with the "2+2" program where they do the first two years of their American degree in Sri Lanka and then transfer to the US to finish their Bachelor Degree in the final two years.

Since ANC offers a fully accredited American program with US transcripts, ANC students can easily transfer to American universities all across the US and Canada.

Ornella Munaweera says, "I joined ANC soon after my O/Levels. Choosing ANC was really a great decision I made. It has given me an opportunity to experience the American system of education with the academic and personal support provided by ANC.

In addition, I have got the privilege to earn a four years degree when I am just twenty years old and I consider myself really lucky for being a part of those fortunate ones and graduate three years ahead of my peers in school."

Minon Weerasinghe says,

"I as a 17 years old boy had no idea of American education.

It all started after my O/Ls, American National College being one of the best choices that I ever made. Upon joining ANC, I developed the knowledge on academic subjects as well as on leadership, dedication and teamwork.

Now after two years of educational experience at ANC, I'm in the process of transferring to Missouri University of Science and Technology, which is a world renowned university for engineering. I'm glad that I made the right choice."

Grant McCann Erickson candidate wins scholarship

Malaka Premasiri of Grant McCann Erickson recently won the Roger Hatchuel Competition conducted by The Metal Factor (the representative for the Cannes Lions Festival in Sri Lanka) in partnership with the International Advertising Association (IAA), and will represent Sri Lanka at the prestigious Cannes Lion 2010 Roger Hatchuel Academy.

"We invited the entire industry to participate in a competition that would select an aspiring young professional to represent Sri Lanka at the Cannes Lions Festival 2010 Roger Hatchuel Academy. After an initial briefing, 12 contestants submitted an assignment and final presentation on what they felt the future of advertising would be. While all contestants exhibited an impressive level of passion and forward thinking, Malaka's exceptional insight, strategy and lateral thinking set him apart from the rest, and we have no doubt that he will represent the local industry to its credit", said a spokesperson on behalf of The Metal Factor and the International Advertising Association (IAA).

"This is an amazing opportunity, and I am truly honoured to have won the chance to represent my country at the world's largest gathering of the best next generation of global communication professionals. I'd like to thank my company, Grant McCann Erickson, The Metal Factor, the IIA, ANCL and other sponsors from the bottom of my heart for making it possible for young industry professionals like me to attend the festival and interact with and learn from some of the world's best talent. This is an exceptional and rewarding experience, and I fully intend to share and contribute my learnings to my company and the industry when I get back, and use it to augment our mission of creative excellence," Malaka said.

Conducted alongside the Cannes Lions Festival, The Roger Hatchuel Academy is an annual event and the only place in the world where a select group of the world's next generation of talent can meet, interact and network with each other; see the best work in advertising from across the globe; and learn from inspirational industry leaders to help them become the next great advertising professionals.

Students follow an intensive schedule of activities during the festival week under the guidance of Dean Rick Boyko, Director and Professor at Brandcenter; and Course Tutor Clive Challis, Head of the Advertising Course at Central Saint Martins, London. Alongside these exclusive sessions, Academy students also have full access to the festival.

Fortunaglobal powers 'Hameedia.com'

Fortunaglobal (Pvt) Ltd recently expanded its exclusive web portal portfolio to the retail consumer sphere by teaming up with Sri Lanka's leading menswear specialist Hameedia.

Immediately after its re-launch, the site http://www.hameedia.com www.hameedia.com - recorded an all time high visits from several parts of the world to its virtual store. The site also attracted a large number of visitors opting to register as virtual customers and benefit from ongoing offers.

This web portal is another successful project under Fortunaglobal's e-commerce and m-commerce initiatives. It is powered by Fortunaglobal's Content Management System (FCMS).

Rich in high quality images with zooming facilities for exceptional viewing, products are displayed at many angles with the facility of cross selling and up-selling products. The special brand oriented display and positioning of top selling products on every page make it easy for customers to choose from.

The new e-portal also enables easy customer registration and the auto distribution of Hameedia's newsletter, e-catalogue and e-fliers.

While highlighting and navigating customers to the latest web promotions, it also lets customers track their purchases from the time the order is made until the goods are delivered. Customers can also comment and review products while the Customer Rating Option helps one choose better.

Hameedia Deputy Managing Director Hussein Sadique said, "I was impressed by the professional approach of Fortunaglobal and its team in delivering a site which perfectly matched our e-business goals. We foresee our partnership taking e-business at Hameedia to greater heights where hameedia.com will become the number one e-commerce portal in the region. Hameedia being the number one menswear solution provider in Sri Lanka, with brands of international repute, will reach the global community in no time with this initiative".

Hameedia IT Head Aruna Basnayake said, "I find Fortunaglobal the ideal partner for implementing e-commerce portals.

It understands our requirements well and works towards a successful implementation using agile methodologies.

The content management module is easy to handle and we were able to position Hameedia's products and services to the web community in a very comprehensive manner."

Fortunaglobal (Pvt) Ltd CEO Suren Kohombange said, "We are delighted to be the technology partner of Hameedia on the web portal re-launch. It repeats our fresh approach to modern challenges in the e-commerce arena."

JWT young guns do it again!

Dishan	Udara

The JWT team, comprising Dishan Coilparampil and Udara Withana, emerged clear winners at the recently concluded 'Young Lions' TV Challenge conducted by the IAA and Metal Factor, and sponsored by Lipton Clear Green Tea.

They will now move on to represent Sri Lanka at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival in France this June, competing among other talented 'potentials' from across the globe. The Cannes Young Lions Program is a globally renowned creative challenge open to communication professionals under 28 years of age and is known to be a proven breeding ground for aspiring advertising youngsters across the globe.

The local competition to select a team to represent Sri Lanka is also modelled on the same process designed to uncover the team with the most potential to put Sri Lanka on the map at this world famous event. Dishan and Udara competed against other creative teams to best answer a brief submitted by Lipton Clear Green Tea. The challenge presented in the brief was to make the product appeal to a younger target audience whilst still retaining the brand promise of purification. The idea presented by the winning team fulfilled this brief with a clever combination of local cultural insight and audience relevance.

JWT CEO Thayalan Bartlett said, "JWT is making a habit of these wins, which reflects the talent and depth of our people. What is also significant is that they are from Account Management, which reflects the strong appreciation for creative throughout the organisation".

HSBC Advance launches webpage

The HSBCAdvance webpage

HSBC launched designated webpage on HSBC's corporate website for HSBCAdvance customers, to provide them a one-stop portal for information on special offers, loans, referrals and promotions conducted by the bank.

The new webpage will help HSBCAdvance customers avail themselves of many exclusive privileges, offered to them by the bank with easy access 24/7 on www.hsbc.lk/advance.

Customers will have the distinct advantage of reserving tickets for matches, movies and many other special events organized by the bank by logging on line and accessing the HSBCAdvance page and clicking on "special offers".

They will also have the facility of applying for loans without visiting the bank, by completing the one page application form and faxing it to the given number and also keep themselves abreast of the latest offers and promotions updated regularly. Customers will be able to refer their family and friends to HSBCAdvance by giving the name and contact details via this channel.

HSBCAdvance Senior Manager Thanuja Gunasekera said "Since the launch of HSBCAdvance in February this year, we have regularly introduced convenient Banking services to customers.

The instant cash disbursement facility through Keells Supermarkets to customers and third parties nominated by them and Easy Loans, are two such services customers have come to truly enjoy.

The introduction of a designated webpage is yet another value addition offered for the benefit of our customers.

We invite HSBCAdvance customers to frequently check the webpage for the latest exclusive offers they can expect as a valued customer."

Amedco Pharmaceuticals enters Lankan market

Access to effective medication is accepted as a need foremost to every individual, yet has also been a need most neglected. Against this backdrop, the establishment of Amedco (Pvt) Ltd., in Sri Lanka, has certainly provided the much needed avenue for a sustainable solution in addressing the medical needs of every individual in the island.

The primary objective of Amedco is to secure the availability and accessibility of the best pharmaceuticals of the world to the citizens of Sri Lanka, thus providing an opportunity for every individual to have his or her medical needs effectively met at an affordable price.

To this end, the partnership with CCL, a world renowned pharmaceutical company based in Pakistan, is indeed noteworthy. The CCI International Marketing Head Sajid Ullah Ghumman who is based in Pakistan, overlooks all offshore operations and has been instrumental in the establishment of this significant partnership under which the best of the best is guaranteed.

This is evidenced by the fact that CCL's portfolio comprises a vast range of areas including cardiovascular, gastroenterology, antibiotics and even anti-cancer categories. All pharmaceuticals are manufactured with state-of-the-art technology and with the use of facilities which are GMP certified, thus ensuring the finest quality of all products.

Hutch Abhisheka rewards retailers

Hutchison Telecom Lanka organized an event for its retailers in appreciation of their loyalty in the form of "Hutch Abhisheka".

This event, saw nearly 500 retailers and their families at the Arpico Super centre, Hyde Park Corner.

It was a reward for the retailers for making Hutch products and services one of the best in the industry.

Retailers once again arrived from all over the country along with their families to experience this promotion where "Hutch Masuran", a unique monetary innovation by Hutch, replaced rupee notes as the mode of currency.

This time, the retailers were seen spending Masuran on not only electronic goods, furniture etc but also jewellery at premier jewellery stores such as Silver Strings and Stone 'N' String. K.A.T.C Kumara, who travelled from Ambanpola, purchased a gold coin!

Hutchison Telecom Lanka CEO Shankar Bali said "Hutch Abhisheka, held for the second successive time, is further proof that we value the support given by our retailers who are invaluable in making Hutch a successful brand. Our retailers actively promote our products and are the voice of our company to the customers. They help us keep track of market trends and patterns, and tell us what our customers want us to know." "These loyal retailers have helped us bond with our customers.

Thanks to their commitment, we understand the needs of our consumers to provide them with the best product possible." He said this was only the surface of the quarterly rewards program that had been planned.

[ YourWay.lk]

Online transport website launched

YourWay.lk the first online transport and advertising magazine launched recently serves as an exclusive choice for passengers, goods and cab services.

This online magazine could help anybody in search of a reliable and an affordable transport service to travel to office and schools in Colombo. You could access www.yourway.lk for more details.

In YourWay.lk there are dozens of transport services to get anyone to school or office on time safely.

Any transport service could be listed in YourWay.lk at no cost.