ISM APAC holds CSR initiative ‘Sipsatharata Arunellak’ 2019 in grand scale

Engaged in an ever-evolving knowledge-based industry, ISM APAC very recently concluded its annual corporate social responsibility program ‘Sipsatharata Arunellak’ on grand-scale, as part of its ambitious plans to uplift education by developing underprivileged schools across Sri Lanka.

The leading global software developer, marking its fifth year anniversary in the country, built three classroom-buildings and an IT and science laboratory for the Maha Andarawewa Junior School in Nawagattegama, as well as renovating other infrastructure to provide a learning-conducive environment.

ISM APAC also conducted a knowledge transfer session among the students on the basics of using computers, providing scholarships to the best performing students, and then went onto plant around 100 plants at the school as a way to give back to Mother Nature. 

It further donated ten computers and a multifunction printer, furniture for students and teachers, sporting items, musical instruments and study packs for around 116 students. Most of the students had not seen a computer before now, just as in many other schools where improvement projects had been done in the past. Through this CSR initiative, the company was able to positively change the mindset of the people in the village through guidance and highlighting the importance of education, which was well reflected in their comments.

The company also provided computers, a printer, sporting items, agricultural utensils and musical instruments to yet another deserving school in Galgamuwa, Vikadeniyagama Junior School.

The total investment for this year’s program was 54,000 euros, making it the most significant event so far in this annual signature initiative. The Sipsatharata Arunellak project, which means ‘helping hands for education’, began in 2015 with a vision of supporting and improving thousands of schools in the country that lack even the most basic facilities. 

‘‘Quality education will be achieved not only by providing infrastructure facilities but it is also important to change the mindsets of people towards positivity,’ commented Head of the CSR Committee 2019 Uditha Wijesundara. 

It went on to build a water purification system for Kahatagollewa Vidyalaya at Kabithigollewa to combat chronic kidney disease, a building with standard sanitisation to the Kanthale-based Peramaduwa Vidyalaya, donate equipment to upgrade Kumbukgahawewa Primary School and a school building to Weragala Vidyalaya in Habarana last year, which had not had one till then.

In line with its passion to give back knowledge to its industry and society, ISM APAC also actively hosts and participates in knowledge transfer sessions, organises inter and intra-hackathons with universities and supports and sponsors industry-related events, including career days and workshops and recruitment of interns from universities, among various other initiatives. 

The Dutch-based group, with its partnerships and experienced teams collectively consisting of over 500 employees, is a major contributor to the e-commerce industry globally, with offices in Sri Lanka, Australia, Austria, Colombia, Germany, Ukraine, UK, and the United States. ISM APAC was also recently awarded the Great Place to Work certification this year and named one of Best Workplaces in Sri Lanka back in 2017 by the Great Place To Work Institute.