It has been little over three years since I was first introduced to Priyanthy & Dissa. In early 2008, I saw an article in a University of Cincinnati (UC) publication about the institution's pursuit of undergraduate students in China & India. Having been born and raised in Sri Lanka, I couldn't help but contact the international admissions office and its director, Jonathan Weller to encourage them not to overlook Sri Lanka - highlighting its well educated student body- and requested that he also travel to this tiny island in promoting UC. It was at that time that I was told about UC's efforts in Sri Lanka were already underway and the signing of an official representative named Scholarships for USA, with its cofounders Priyanthy & Dissa at the helm.

The University of Cincinnati is a public "research one" institution with more than 41,000 students and over 2,000 international students. Before the partnership between the international admissions office and scholarships for USA, UC had a relatively low number of students enrolled from Sri Lanka, particularly in its undergraduate programmes. However, with the exposure it has received, thanks in large part to the dedicated service of Priyanthy & Dissa and the deliberate decision by the institution to spend resources in Sri Lanka things are beginning to change with increased Sri Lankan student enrolment.

Priyanthy & Dissa have been very instrumental in sending high quality students to the university. The students they send are not only sound academically, but are also very much involved in student government groups and representing Sri Lanka proudly. They are becoming active student leaders in our campus, including recently creating the Sri Lankan Student Association and the International Leadership Collaboration, where a first year Sri Lankan undergraduate student is leading a group of American students to Sri Lanka for a service trip this summer. Two of the key partnerships that we have established in Sri Lanka with the likes of the Institute of Chemistry and the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology were possible only because of the tireless efforts of Dissa & Priyanthy and a commitment for collaborations by the institutions.

During the last ten months, I visited Sri Lank twice on UC promotion tours. During these trips Dissa & Priyanthy took the time to welcome me and take me around for numerous visits in highlighting UC and its excellent programmes. I was very impressed with the network of institutions that they have taken us to. I can be certain that if Dissa were to handle my scheduling responsibility it will be filled from the time I land in Colombo.

Priyanthy and Dissa are the utmost professionals. They are truly a Mother and Father team who are only interested in helping the youth of Sri Lanka prosper. They have not only done their very best in acquiring scholarships for their students, but also helped them with obtaining bank loans for deserving students who could not afford to pay their tuition.

I am glad to be part of an institution which takes pride in welcoming international students to one of the most beautiful campuses in the world. The entire campus community is excited to have students from Sri Lanka and actively help them get situated well in campus life.

The University of Cincinnati & Scholarships for USA is a great partnership. I am excited about our future together and hope to build on this relationship for the next several years. All the very best Priyanthy & Dissa, and thank you for all you do for Sri Lankan youth and for promoting my university in the very best way possible.

By Gowribalan "Ana" Vamadeva, Associate Professor of Mathematics. University of Cincinnati