12 Feb, 2016
“Although I graduated from Jaffna University with a B. Com., it was the English for Life Scholarship programme that has provided me with tools to face the real world,” said S.A. Ruben, a student of B.Com at the University of Jaffna and a beneficiary of the recently concluded English for Life Scholarship programme of John Keells.
Implemented by John Keells Foundation (JKF) through Gateway Language Centers, English for Life is designed to help youth aged between 17-25 gain practical skills in English together with a basic knowledge of IT and soft skills, towards enhancing their employability. The programme, which was advertised in the newspapers in June 2009 attracted over 4,000 applicants, of whom over 1,600 were selected after a placement test set by Gateway. The scholarship programme covers course fees, examination fees, text book and other course material. One of the highlights of the 2009 programmed was that for the first time scholarships were extended to students of the Jaffna district. The programme was also conducted in Ampara, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Trincomalee and Vavuniya and was opened to eligible children of non-executive employees of the John Keells Group. Introduced in November 2008, the 4-month programme has seen a total of 1836 students qualify through four separate intakes.
The certificate distribution for the latest batch of young adults of the English for Life Scholarship Programme for 2009/10 was held recently at the Gateway Centres of Colombo, Kalutara Kandy, Galle, Trincomalee, Jaffna and Vavuniya. The certificate distribution at centres in Anuradapura, Gampaha, Batticaloa and Ampara are scheduled to be held in the month of August.
Speaking at the certificate distribution ceremony held at the Colombo Centre which had over 200 recipients, Mr. Lallith Ramanayake, Head of CSR at John Keells Holdings, said “The English language is imperative for students like yourself in the context of it being the global business language, as well as its importance in the fields of IT as well as in day-to-day functions such as the use of computers, email, internet, mobile phones and even short message service (SMS). I would also like to thank all of you for your commitment in completing this course successfully”.
Dr. Harsha Alles – Director Gateway Language Centre, addressing the certificate recipients at this ceremony said, “The John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation has given you the opportunity and the confidence to break the barriers and to have new beginnings for your future”.
Volunteers from the John Keells Group including management staff from JKH, Keells hotels, Supermarkets and Union Assurance Colombo and regional branches represented the Foundation at these events, demonstrating the commitment of the organisation in making this a hands-on CSR initiative. A highlight at these events was the fact that many of these business representatives were supportive of facilitating employment opportunities to the scholars.
English for Life was part of the John Keells English Language Scholarship Programme, which, since its launch in 2004, has sponsored a range of scholarships, empowering over 3400 persons in various parts of the country. In 2010/11, the Foundation will be re-introducing its popular foundation course in English for school children aged between 12-14.