Northwood Global College opens its doors
View(s):NORTHWOOD Global College, located at 103 Cotta Road, Borella, Colombo 8, marked its inception on January 19th, 2013. The chief guests for this special occasion were renowned veteran artist Kala Keerthi Sybil Wettasinghe and Sikamani R.I.T. ALLES, founder of D.S. Senanayake College and Chairmen and founder of Gateway College.
Kala Keerthi Sybil Wettasinghe unveiling the plaque of Northwood Global College while Ms. Kumari Wickramasinghe, Head of School/Academics of Northwood Global College, Mr. Ramana Prasad, Managing Trustee of BVM Global, Mr. Madu Ratnayake, Vice President/ GM of Virtusa and Mr. Kushan Kodituwakku, Managing Director of Orange Electric looks on.
This day also marked the foundation laying of the purpose built school located at Mahawatte Road, Battaramulla. This occasion was graced by The Mayor of Kaduwela, His Worship Mr. Buddadhasa. Mr. and Mrs. Ramana Prasad from BVM Global, the board of governors of the school and their families, and special corporates invitees also participated in the events.
This school is sponsored by many corporate players while the main promoters of the school include Orange Electric and Hameedia and also BVM Global. The board of governors of the school include many different corporate heads such as Mr. Kushan Kodituwakku, Managing Director of Orange Electric, Mr. Madu Ratnayake, Vice President/ GM of Virtusa, Mr. Riyaz Sangani, Managing Director of Vidullanka PLC, Mr. Hussain Sadique, Deputy Managing Director, Hameedia, Mr. Ramana Prasad, Managing Trustee of BVM Global and Mr. Fouzul Hameed, Managing Director of Hameedia. They are also supported by Mr. J. H. Marikar, former General Manager, Group Human Resource Management & Development of Hayleys PLC and now the Director of School Affairs of Northwood Global College and Ms. Kumari Wickramasinghe, Head of School/Academics of Northwood Global College.
The schools’ motto is to ‘inspire values’ and it already many students enrolled. Going with the concept of cultihas vating an education that focuses not only on knowledge but also on traditional Sri Lankan values, the school employs the standard white uniform used in national/government schools island wide.
Classes comprise pre-school to grade 6 for this year and will move up to grade 7 and upwards gradually starting from 2014. Equipped with classrooms that can seat up to about 30 students, the school curriculum incorporates both British and Local curriculums with a
(L-R): Mr. Kushan Kodituwakku, Managing Director of Orange Electric, Mr. Ramana Prasad, Managing Trustee of BVM Global, Kala Keerthi Sybil Wettasinghe, Mrs. Prasad, Trustee of BVM Global, Mrs. Rohini Alles, Managing Director of Gateway Group, Ms. Kumari Wickramasinghe, Head of School/Academics of Northwood Global College and Mrs. Wanniyarachchi of CGS at the event.
special period dedicated towards robotics from Grade 5 and above. Furthermore, the school has an auditorium, a garden and a clay hut that is built to encourage concepts of team work, taking care of others and other core values of humanity.
“We, the board of directors believe that every child has the right to quality education,” said Mr. Kushan Kodituwakku, Managing Director of Orange Electric. “Our school is for students from all walks of life and we are only concerned about giving a quality education utilizing the best new methods available in teaching.”
Probably the first school that is backed by the corporate, NORTHWOOD Global College is unique when compared to other schools due to several reasons. They are being guided by people that integrate many different ideas and concepts from the corporate sector and combining old values with modern concepts.
“This will be a home away from home,” said Mr. Riyaz Sangani, Managing Director of Vidullanka PLC. “We have brought many leading figures from the corporate sector to give inspiring leadership and we are focusing on promoting a new concept when it comes to education.”
The school promotes inquiry based learning, making way for developing analytical thinking as well as practical skills among the students from a very young age. While text books are used in the class room, the teachers encourage interactive learning focusing on creating an individual who is confident, independent and at the same time humble.
“We will focus on values and habits that are important in cultivating a good citizen,” said Mr. Madu Ratnayake, Snr Vice President/ GM of Virtusa. “Also NORTHWOOD Global College is not only about teaching, but will also promote and incorporate important life skills into the school curriculum.”
Sikamani R.I.T. ALLES, founder of D.S. Senanayake College and Chairmen and founder of Gateway College addressing the gathering.
The school will teach students in English and Sinhala/Tamil medium, focusing on creating a bilingual individual while through it’s vast and diverse curriculum it will help students to discover more job opportunities especially in the corporate sector and parents can communicate with the school through email as well.
“The school will practise global education management systems,” said Mr. Ramana Prasad, Managing Trustee of BVM Global. “Furthermore, this will be taken as an opportunity to redefine the education in Sri Lanka as we have done much research about bringing the necessary changes that are needed.”
Striving to be different from a traditional school, NORTHWOOD Global College has notable plans in store for the future, such as opening a pre school, implementing exchange programmes for both students and teachers and also giving the students the ability to experience a corporate working environment from a very early setting. Thus armed with such new facilities and backing it will be able to carry out and grow into a premier school within the next few years.
NORTHWOOD Global College has laid the foundation for the education of Sri Lanka to be redefined. For more details please visit 103 Cotta Road Borella, Colombo 8 or call 0777 122221.
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