The initiative involves the funding and implementation of a scholarship scheme for the undergraduate students of the TM&LE Department providing them with a multitude of attractive career choices in the fields of aviation, shipping, logistics and supply chain management and public transport.
The collaboration includes the development of English language and communication skills of first year students of the department through customised English training implemented by John Keells Foundation since project inception in 2006, a need and merit-based scholarship scheme for students, and also an extensive mentoring programme offering internships and industrial placements.
The culmination of this impactful programme for the financial year 2022/23 was recently celebrated at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo with senior management from JKH, the University of Moratuwa and other supporting organisations gracing the occasion.
Certificates and awards were given to the students who completed the programme.
The event also featured a musical performance from the students while heartfelt testimonials were shared by those who had benefited from the programme.
Sharing her experience, Pamudi Chathurya, a student who had the opportunity to go through the mentoring programme at South Asia Gateway Terminals Pvt Ltd (SAGT) said,
“As we approach the end of this journey, it is important to acknowledge how much our expectations were exceeded.
This programme has given us practical skills, valuable connections and confidence in ourselves.”
Speaking at the event, Mr. Zafir Hashim, President - Transportation and Plantation Sectors of John Keells Group, said,
“The Transportation Sector of John Keells Group has been providing these deserving young men and women with scholarships on both need and merit basis since 2006.
The merit-based scholarships reward academic excellence and overall performance while the need-based scholarships help first year students reach their full potential.
We are delighted to help so many students over the years, all of whom have and will continue to play a crucial role in propelling the nation's transportation and logistics industries, pivotal drivers of economic progress and national development.
We intend to continue to be a part of this worthy endeavour in the years to come.”
To date, 263 scholarships have been offered while 867 students have benefited from the English training programme.
Moreover, many students have been provided internships and placements in companies of the Transportation Sector of John Keells Group including Lanka Marine Services Pvt Ltd, John Keells Logistics Pvt Ltd, and Mack International Freight Pvt Ltd, leaders in their respective industries of bunkering, logistics, and freight forwarding.
Speaking at the event, JKH’s Head of CSR, Carmeline Jayasuriya said,
“Sri Lanka has been through the most unprecedented and challenging times in the recent past and is currently in the process of rebuilding.
Young leaders such as yourselves represent the knowledge, talent and potential that can take our nation forward.
John Keells, whose CSR vision is `Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow’, is deeply committed to, and invested in empowering Sri Lanka’s future workforce with the skills, competencies, and attitudes to support this endeavour through strategic programmes such as these.”
John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), is the largest conglomerate listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, operating with over 70 companies in 7 diverse industry sectors.
With a history of over 150 years, John Keells Group provides employment to over 14,000 persons and has been ranked as Sri Lanka's 'Most Respected Entity' for the last 18 Years by LMD magazine.
John Keells Holdings PLC was ranked first for the third consecutive year in the 'Transparency in Corporate Reporting Assessment' by Transparency International Sri Lanka.
Whilst being a full member of the World Economic Forum and a participant of the UN Global Compact, JKH drives its CSR vision of “Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow” through John Keells Foundation and through the social entrepreneurship initiative, ‘Plasticcycle’, which is a catalyst in significantly reducing plastic pollution in Sri Lanka.
Photo Caption Left to Right Zafir HashimPresident Transportation and Plantation Sectors John Keells Group, Carmeline Jayasuriya Head of CSR John Keells Group and Dr. Ranil Sugathadasa Head of Department Department of Transport Management and Logistics Engineering University of Moratuwa