Akbar Brothers extends partnership with Colombo University

Leading tea exporter and conglomerate Akbar Brothers Group recently signed a MoU with the Alumni Association of the University of Colombo (UoC), extending its engagement with the UoC Partnership Programme for another year up to 2022, a news release from the Alumni Association said.

The University of Colombo Alumni Partnership Programme is an initiative of the Alumni Association of the University of Colombo which today represents all Alumni of the University of Colombo, to work closely with leading private and public sector organizations to provide opportunities for enhanced corporate sector involvement and support in the UoC’s activities. It said.

The Alumni Association was formed in 1982 at the initiative of the late Prof. Stanley Wijesundera who as Vice Chancellor at the time saw the need to gather the university’s alumni to be a strong stakeholder and support group for the university. The Vice Chancellor is the Ex-Officio Vice President of the Association.

It is expected that this Partnership Programme will provide further support to the Alumni Association to carry out its student development and welfare activities including mentoring, communication, soft skills and leadership programmes, career guidance, inspirational talks, member engagement and social activities that will be restructured to suit the post Covid-19 environment, the release said.

UoC Alumni President Rajeev Amarasuriya said he was extremely happy that for the second year running, and especially post Covid-19, Akbar Brothers which is today a leading corporate have decided to continue this partnership. He thanked the company’s management for the trust and confidence they have shown by continuing in this programme.

Imran Akbarally, Executive Director of Akbar Brothers Group speaking at the signing ceremony said that they were proud to renew the partnership with the Alumni Association of the University of Colombo as a Corporate Partner.

“This collaboration strengthens our strategic initiatives around quality in setting up the research and development process within our tea sector especially. Our Group has provided training opportunities and internship experience for the graduates of the University of Colombo which in turn furthers our motive of being a responsible corporate citizen in the development of our nation.”