Plenty Foods (pvt.) Ltd, a subsidiary of Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL)won a silver award at the National Agri Busi-ness Awards under the category of large food processor in recognition of its contribution towards the agricultural industry. The company works closely with around 10,000 local farmers in a well managed backward integration programme. Here Ms. Nishka Wickramasingha, Group Director of CBL receiving the award from Dr. D.B.T. Wijer-atne, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture.

The first batch of Kore-an Language teachers successfully completed course conducted by the University of Colombo passed out recently and the awarding of certifi-cates was held at the Uni-versity Auditorium.The course arranged to over-come the difficulties the teachers when teaching the language to Lankans who were interested in learning the subject with hope of finding employ-ment in Korea. The course was conducted by the University of Colom-bo in Association with the Korean Labor Depart-

ment Human Resources Authority which gave the fullest co-operation for training these teachers.The teachers who passed out from this first batch will considered as quali-fied teachers to teach lan-guage and will also be now considered as quali-fied to the teach the Korean language for stu-dents who seeking jobs in Korea. The teachers were given a proper training before they faced a quali-fying test.There are many qualified and non quali-fied persons teaching the subject at present, but with the passing out of

these teachers the stu-dents will have no diffi-culty in pursuing their studies under trained teachers to better their knowledge.

This will ease the bur-den on the students as they can be assured of a good training and will help the country immensely. Korea sup-plies many job opportuni-ties for Sri Lankans with the knowledge of its lan-guage.

Though many conduct classes to teach Korean Language, they too face many hardships as no proper training was avail-

able to them. As such they could not teach in the proper manner and the result was the stu-dents fail in exams caus-ing disgust among them.The Korean Labor Department Human Resource Authority’s Director Kim and Kim Yonji needs a high com-mendation for the great service rendered in con-ducting this program suc-cessfully, while the Uni-versity staff too should be given a bouquet for the hard work done in arranging the program to benefit the country’s youth at large.The follow-

ing were successful at the end, received certificates at the ceremony and will move to the society as qualified trainers to teach the Korean language.

E.A. Sampath Ediri-weera, S.P. Viraj Ediri-weera, C.L.A. Jaya-wardana, R.L. Abeysing-he, K.H. Lanka Fernan-do, H.D.M.D. Gunathila-ka, Y.B. Mohammad Nafas, Ruwaiz Mohamed Khalid, R.A. Laksiri Raja-paksha, R.H. Thusara Munasingha, S. Gamach-chige, A.S.M. Kamil, Ms. I.D.G.Fernando, M.T.S. Gunawardena, M.R.M. Nilam

UK’s Plymouth Universi-ty, ranked amongst the top10 modern UK universi-ties in the world, announced its partnership with Sri Lanka’s National School of Business Management [NSBM] to a distinguished gathering of academics, diplomats, government dig-nitaries and educationists.

Present for the launch was Plymouth University’s President and Vice Chan-cellor, Wendy Purcell, while the Chief Guest was Ban-dula Gunawardena, Minis-ter of Education. Also pre-sent was Monitoring MP for Education / Skills Devel-opment and Youth Affairs, Mohanlal Grero.

“We have formed a unique and exciting part-nership with the National School of Business Manage-ment to deliver a tailor made suite of degrees that are relevant to the Sri Lanka of today as well as that of the future. We want our graduates to be Sri Lan-ka’s leaders of tomorrow”, said Professor Purcell, addressing the gathering. Professor Purcell who recently gave a keynote address on sustainability to an international UNESCO audience, said that the Plymouth University had been named as one of UK’s top performing ‘Green’ uni-versities.

The annual People and Planet University Green League ranked Plymouth University second out of 145 universities, while Plymouth retains the acco-lade of being the National UK League’s top overall performer since it began.

The University was also the proud recipient this year of the coveted Queen’s Anniversary Prize for High-er Education, the highest national honour that can be bestowed upon a university, whilst Plymouth has been awarded more ‘Centres of Excellence’ in teaching and learning than any other uni-versity in the UK.

The CEO, NSBM, Dr E.A. Weerasinghe, said that as an educational institute they were inspired to rede-

fine the role of higher edu-cation here in Sri Lanka. “ We currently have long term affiliations with world renowned universities such as University College Dub-lin- Ireland and Limkok-wing University Malaysia and this is our most recent partnership with the reput-ed Plymouth University will undoubtedly strength-en our capabilities in the field of higher education. Students could avail them-selves of the very best that our two esteemed institu-tions have to offer, includ-ing being in an environ-ment that is truly eco friendly, the University Green Town in Homagama”

Chief Guest Bandula Gunewardena, while reaf-firming his government’s

stance on furthering higher education in the country, said the NSBM had a dynamic and innovative agenda for the future. “The NSBM offers a novel approach to learning, with the perfect blend of tech-

nology and research to pre-pare our students to take their place in tomorrow’s increasingly competitive world. The government of Sri Lanka realizes only too well that the future lies in education and the entrance

of the Plymouth University, only serves to underline it’s commitment to the further-ance of higher education in the country”.

“Plymouth university enjoys excellent links with global industries and hence have a high rate of student employability, with employ-ability skills and place-ments opportunities embedded throughout every course we offer. We are renowned for being one of the UK’s most enterpris-ing universities and in fact have delivered a programme of enterprise and employa-bility with two of Sri Lan-ka’s leading universities, namely the Sri Lanka Flux business Competition, which involves graduates and the Sri Lankan Busi-ness Mentors”.

As one of the UK’s largest universities, Plymouth has over 30,000 students and a 3000 member teaching fac-ulty. “Both our institutions share a passion for educa-tional excellence and deliv-ering a first class student experience that puts sus-tainability at the heart of everything we do. We have a shared commitment to driving forward innovation and entrepreneurship, thereby creating Sri Lanka’s leaders of tomorrow”, said Professor Purcell and Dr. Weerasinghe.

The amazing Thailand Roadshow, a glamorous B2B rendezvous, was held at Cin-namon Lakeside Hotel recently. Scores of business, aviation, hotel and media repre-sentatives from Sri Lanka and Thailand with several dignitaries participated. A cul-tural show was followed by colorful presentations, raffle draws and speeches . Mean-while Thai Airways has introduced a 'light premium service' in response to the demand for lower fares while retaining it’s hall mark service comfort to Asian destina-tions from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. The route network will cover Asian destinations within 2-3 hours flight time from Thailand with ASEAN, China and India ranked as priority destinations. It is envisaged by the end of 2012, the ‘Thai Smile’ will serve up to 10 destinations in five countries exceeding 60 departures every week. In its endeavour for modernization, 11 new Air Bus A 320 jets had been added to the fleet while the airline had also acquired the world's largest airliner, A380 air-craft. The airline also hopes to obtain five more soon. Here some highlights of the event. Pictures by Nissanka Wijerathne

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Amazing Thailand Roadshow glitters Colombo

TAT, Assistant Director Suladda Sarutilavan presenting the key note address

Dignitaries and guests AudienceRaffle draw winners being awarded

Cultural show

Bangkok has for the third time in as many years been named World's Best City 2012 by the globally renowned travel magazine Travel & Leisure.

Based on the Travel & Leisure's annual survey conducted on its readers' opinions regarding the best travel destinations in the world, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra announced that the Thai capital of Bangkok, was ranked first on the list and was granted the World's Best Award 2012. This is the third year in a row that Bangkok has received the prestigious award.

Travel and Leisure is one of the most famous travel magazines in the US, boast-ing at least 30,000 reader-ships from around the world. Factors taken into account by respondents in the survey included loca-tion, scenery, art and cul-ture, food, shopping, hospi-tality and cost-worthiness.

The Governor traveled to New York to receive the award on behalf of Bangkok

on July 19. According to him, the award is the pride of Bangkokians. He added that, besides beautiful scen-ery, the capital has its unique features, such as lifestyle, culture, tradition and various choices of food.

Sukhumbhand said the award shows that Thais have been good hosts to foreigners, adding that Thai hospitality, honesty, and friendly gestures with the tourists also help claim the award for the third consecu-tive year.

He asked all Thais to help preserve the city as a lively place and extend a warm welcome to tourists so that Bangkok will continue to receive the World's Best City award for years to come.For other awards, New York City holds on to its title for the 12th year in a row as the Best City in the U.S. and Canada, ranks No. 7 among top cities overall. Boracay in the Phil-ippines is voted World's Best Island. Singapore Air-lines is the World's best international airlines.

Some of the invitees and TAT officials

Unique educational opportunity for local students

UK’s Plymouth University in exciting partnership with NSBM

Professor Simon Payne, Head of School of Law and Acting Dean of Academic Partnerships University of Plymouth, Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice Chancellor University of Plymouth, Dr e. A. Weerasinghe, Ceo NSBM and D. M. A. Kulasooriye, Dean School of Business NSBM at the event.

Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of education with Monitoring MP for education / Skills Development and youth Affairs, Mohanlal Grero and other invitees at the event. Pictures by Nissanka Wijerathne

university trained Korean Language teachers pass out

The students with lecturer Kim young Ju.

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