Celebrating community-based learning in Sri Lanka

Connecting with the workplace in Sri Lanka
Visit to garment manufacturing company ZM Verteko Ltd., Mon 23 May 2011

A three day visit to Sri Lanka for the annual South Asian Academy for Good Governance and GULL award ceremony began with a visit and presentation to the workforce at ZM Verteko, a large garment manufacturing company located in the suburbs of Colombo.

(Above left) ZM Verteko employees listen to GULL’s President, Richard Teare as he outlines the possibilities for work-based learning.

(Above right) MZ Verteko’s main workshop.

 

South Asian Academy for Good Governance - GULL
Annual Award Ceremony, Tue 24 May, Yowun Nikethanaya, Anuradhapura

The Annual SAAGG-GULL award ceremony - held in conjunction with the community development organization Samadeepa Samaja Kendraya and the Peoples’ Assembly of Sri Lanka - was attended by more than 750 people representing the business community, public service and civil society. Delegates from Northern, North Central, Central, Western and Sabaragamuwa attended the event, together with the Sri Lankan Government Minister for National Languages and Social Integration.

(Above) Some 750 participants assemble for the start of the graduation event. The annual award ceremony - Celebrating SAAGG-GULL’s community-based learning initiative for all Sri Lankans.

 

 

Endorsing SAAGG-GULL’s action learning approach
Dr Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Minister, National Languages & Social Integration

‘I believe that lifelong learning can make a tremendous contribution to our society. Action learning works beyond the limitations and restrictions of the formal education system. Any person - rich or poor - male or female - young or old, whether Sinhalese, Tamil or Muslim - well educated or not, can begin an action learning pathway to improve their life circumstances via the SAAGG-GULL system and attain an internationally recognized qualification: professional bachelor, master or doctor degree.’

(Below – left to right) Dr Richard Teare, President, GULL, Dr Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Minister for National Languages & Social Integration and Dr Chandra Bandara, Executive Director, South Asian Academy for Good Governance.

(Above right) Dr Vasudeva Nanayakkara MP, Sri Lankan Minister for National Languages & Social Integration.

 

Messages of support for the 2nd Annual Award Ceremony
Minister of Higher Education & Chief Minister, North Central Provincial Council

Message of support from the Hon. S. B. Dissanayake, Minister of Higher Education: ‘The progress achieved by SAAGG in identifying alternative approaches and mechanisms to impart knowledge with the help of dedicated and hard working people is commendable and I am sure it provides many benefits to Sri Lankan society. It is also timely that the Global University for Lifelong Learning has affiliated with and is supporting SAAGG to further strengthen its activities. I should like to extend my special thanks to Dr Richard Teare, Co-Founder & President of GULL for supporting this important initiative.’

(Left) Hon. Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Chief Minister, North Central Provincial Council

(Right) Hon. S. B. Dissanayake, Minister of Higher Education

Message of support from the Hon. Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Chief Minister, North Central Provincial Council: ‘Samadeepa Samaja Kendraya and SAAGG are engaged in a great social mission and I extend my best wishes for the success of the second annual ward ceremony planned for 24 May 2011 in conjunction with GULL.’

 

Congratulations to SAAGG-GULL award recipients!
Annual Award Ceremony, Tue 24 May, Yowun Nikethanaya, Anuradhapura

The event opened with prayers led by representatives of all the religious groups – Buddhist, Muslim and Christian leaders prayed together for peace, tolerance, understanding, reconciliation and for SAAGG-GULL’s community-based learning.

(Above left) GULL professional doctor recipients Dr Anuruddha Basnayake, Community Leader and Dr Sunil Silva, General Secretary, National Co-op Council are congratulated on their awards.

(Above right) GULL professional doctor recipient Dr Nirmalan Das is congratulated by his wife.

 

Exploring work-based professional development
Federation of Thrift & Credit Co-op Societies in Sri Lanka, Wed 25 May

SAAGG-GULL is developing an inclusive, community-based action learning network in Sri Lanka. On the final day of the visit, Dr L B Dasanayake, General Manager of the Federation of Thrift & Credit Co-op Societies in Sri Lanka asked Richard Teare to explain the GULL system to his national management team, many of whom have risen to managerial roles without the opportunity to engage in formalized professional development. As the work advances in Sri Lanka, the Federation of Thrift & Credit Co- op Societies are keen to embrace action learning in support of grassroots development.

(Right) Presentation to the national management team, Federation of Thrift & Credit Co-op Societies in Sri Lanka, organized by GULL professional doctor recipient, Dr L B Dasanayake, General Manager (Third left)