KOICA-AKOFE Day

KOICA-AKOFE Day Reception 2011 was organised by the Association of KOICA Fellows in Sri Lanka (AKOFE) on December 21 at Ceylon Continenta l Hotel in the presence of Education Minister Bandula Gunawardana, Education Ministry Secretary H. M. Gunasekara, Korean Ambassador Choi Jong Moon, KOICA Resident Representative Cho Sang Woo and AKOFE President Senaka Kumarasinghe.

This annual gathering, consisting of a presentation of the AKOFE’s year-long programme, Korea Taekwondo demonstration and Sri Lankan cultural performance, was held as a part of AKOFE’s activities under the KOICA’s sponsorship with an aim to commemorate AKOFE’s12th anniversary, promote friendship among AKOFE members and partnership between Sri Lanka and Korea towards economic development in Sri Lanka.

Since its formation on July 21, 1999, AKOFE, an association of ex-participants who received scholarships and training from KOICA,plays a leading role in not only enhancing friendly relations between the two countries but also local communities’ development in Sri Lanka by charity projects, household item donation activities and provision of school teaching materials.

The training and scholarship programmes have constituted the significant part of KOICA’s programmes intended to facilitate Sri Lanka’s human resource development that deems invaluable assets for social and economic development in Sri Lanka. Since KOICA’s foundation in1991, 1,200 Sri Lankan officials and personnel have invited Korea for various trainings and degree programmes.