American Alumni Association to celebrate Silver Jubilee on 9 August
Wednesday, 31 July 2013 00:09
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The American Alumni Association (AAA) was established in July 1988 by its founder President Janaka Edirisinghe, and will be celebrating its Silver Jubilee on 09 August 2013.
The organisation or AAA as it is commonly known, is a social network of Sri Lankan Alumni returning from American Universities / Colleges and aims to address problems such as re-entry into Sri Lanka and employment. Given the common educational heritage, the organisation is also a forum connecting like-minded and culturally similar people together.
The organisation, which extends to all American colleges and universities, also promote American education by way of participating in educational fairs and assisting students in finding the right university. AAA also conducts orientation programs conducted to assist students successfully begin their higher education in the US. The AAA has also developed a tracking system that determines availability of Sri Lankan students in the USA, and in turn serves as catalyst towards bringing back these US graduates to high placements in Sri Lanka.
As a continuation of these efforts, the AAA organised the “Amazing America Education Fair” where representatives of 25 American Universities/Collegesand over 1000 students participated. The AAA has also supported several outstation schools to develop not only their infrastructure but also their curriculum such that the English Language is promoted. Focus on education has also extended to the community service activities, where AAA supports several schools for the differently-abled children.
Socially, AAA recognises and celebrates American holidays and events such as ‘thanksgiving’, ‘Halloween’ and ‘super bowl’. A feeling of family and camaraderie is also fostered through seminars, workshops, weekend getaways, cocktails and residential dinner parties where fellowship is extended as part of our commitment.
The Silver Jubilee event, which celebrates 25 years of AAA’s activities and members, will be held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in the Atrium Hall at 6:30pm on 09 August 2013. The Chief Guest of the event will be Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris. The Chief Guest will be accompanied by the two patrons of the AAA, the American Ambassador Michele J. Sison and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga.
Some of the member’s receiving awards at the Silver Jubilee Event are: Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Planning Dr. P.B. Jayasundara, scholar, author and former Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission Dr. Radika Coomarasamy, former Sri Lankan Olympic and SAARC Games swimmer Julian Bolling, Odel Founder Otara Gunawardena and John Keells Holdings Deputy Chairman Ajit Gunawardena.
