Holcim (Lanka) Ltd to fund Moratuwa University’s cement and concrete research
View(s):Holcim Lanka Ltd (HLL) has signed up with the University of Moratuwa to support the Faculty of Engineering in the advancement of knowledge in cement, concrete and sustainable construction practices.
The agreement was signed by HLL’s CEO Stefan Huber and Prof. A.K.W. Jayawardane – Vice Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa at the Holcim Lanka head office, recently.
The new agreement will enable cooperation between Holcim and the Department of Civil Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering to promote joint Research and Development (R&D), training and education in the field of cement and concrete. “As such, HLL, as the sponsor and the research collaborator, shall pay expenses incurred locally for material, labor, minor equipment, books related to cement, concrete, and sustainable construction practices, essential safety equipment and display material which are related to cement and concrete for the Building Materials lab, as well as grant scholarships to the needy civil-engineering students within the faculty,” according to a company statement.
As the researcher and beneficiary, the faculty in turn will make all efforts to publish such research findings in reputed local and/or international journals. Whilst HLL further gets the opportunity to participate in annual university events such as exhibitions, the agreement also stipulates that HLL will facilitate annual research symposium of the Department of Civil Engineering and the final year students will also get the chance to visit its Puttalam or Galle cement plants. Furthermore, HLL will also facilitate university staff members and students to use the Holcim Innovation and Application Center (I&A Centre) facilities for their research work.
For HLL, the agreement is one more step in the development of innovation through the training of future professionals. “We are committed to being a good neighbour in the communities in which the company operates. To achieve this we assess local needs, promote community involvement and partner with local stakeholders to improve educational, social and cultural development in those communities,” noted Mr. Huber.
Moratuwa Vice Chancellor Prof. Jayawardane said that they have worked closely with Holcim Lanka, even in previous occasions, on projects which have been initiated to uplift the industry and the skills within it. “What is unique about this partnership is that it is not solely based on merely funding for the faculty or research programmes. It covers aspects such as training, practical exposure, scholarships for students, joint publications and much much more. We are very happy to be associated with a globally renowned company such as Holcim in a bid to jointly uplift the engineering and construction sphere of Sri Lanka.”
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