Group of Sixties

www.zahirag60.com

Volume 5, Issue 2 - August 2010NEWSLETTER

Zahira College Colombo

The overall success rate in all media at the GCE OL for 2009 has increased to 60 per cent compared with 53 per cent in 2008. A total of 260 students sat the exam of which 201 students are from the Sinhala medium.

Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Scholarship FundThe scholarship fund introduced by the G60' in 2007 in memory of Marhoom Dr. A.M.A. Azeez has played an important role in the upliftment of the standard of education at the GCE examinations. It is noteworthy the students have benefited immensely and had shown marked improvement in their performance in recent times. These scholarships were granted to the needy and those who performed well at the GCE OL.

The Chairman of the Education Committee, Mr. Ibrahim Hamid awarding a scholarship to one of the students

This year, after a series of interviews 13 OL students were selected and awarded scholarships at a special assembly chaired by the Principal, Mr. T.K. Azoor. Upto now over 50 scholarships have been awarded. While there are many more deserving the constraining factor is the funds.

Swimming Pool Takes Shape After the inauguration of the pool project in January 2010 construction is firmly underway and Zahira's dream of having a long felt need is drawing closer to the brink of realization. However completion of the process will require a lot more work and even more money than they have already invested.The complete cost of the whole project, which includes a 25 meter pool as well as a pavilion and a car park is estimated to be Rs. 98 million.

An artist's vision of the completed Zahira Swimming Pool.

Sinhala

Tamil

English

Total

201

26

33

260

111

21

25

157

55.2

80.8

75.8

60.4

Medium No. ofStudents

Qualifiedfor AL

% Qualified

GCE OL Results Up

Contd page 2

Contd page 2

Progress has been buoyed by the unreserved support of Holcim (Lanka) Chairman, Manilal Fernando. Holcim (Lanka) who kept his pledge of supplying the cement requirement for the entire project. But even with this support costs for the pool are spiraling and the OBA along with the school appeals to all prospective donors in this Holy month of Ramazan to come forward and support them.

The new pool is the brainchild of the Project Chairman, Mr. Jisthy Fawmey, who after voicing his idea for a new pool during the past six years, is now the driving force.

A study has shown that in the first place the financial backing has discouraged the students from leaving Zahira to other schools. In this respect the G60 has achieved one of the objectives of the project. Secondly the students are also given some encouragement not to abandon their studies due to financial reasons. More funds are required to give more scholarships and it is this important factor that has enabled some of our old boys, well wishers and old boys overseas to swell our funds with their kind contributions.

Knowing the reward, one could receive by helping a poor, needy and a bright student in the field of education, the Almighty has assured “Sadakathul Jahiriya” for those whose hearts know the pains of those poor parents who wish to see their children do better than themselves.

As for the record over the years the Group of Sixties has arranged seminars by selected lectures, provided question and answer modules and assisted sportsman with special tuition classes to enable them to perform better in their examinations. An incentive to keep the environs of the College clean and the class rooms to maintain a healthy atmosphere, a novel idea of our President, to reward the students of the best class, with a end of the year trip has been a stupendous success. Cash prizes were also awarded to sectional heads. On this project a word of thanks goes to Director of Studies, Mr. Anverdeen for coordinating with our committee for its success.

Swimming Pool….. Contd from p1

Scholarship Fund Contd. from p1

Distance Education and the future of Muslim Graduates in Flexible Learning

The World Bank's Country assistance strategy (CAS) has already supported Sri Lanka in developing its higher education system in two significant ways (1) By Improving the Relevance of Undergraduate Education (IRUE) to make all degrees marketable and relevant to the private sector demands and (2) by improving the mode of delivery of selected degree

programmes (e.g. the much sought after B.IT of Moratuwa University) in Distance Education, the ultimate goal being to bring our children to the

threshold of the global knowledge economy.This project will also support initiatives in universities to improve the quality and employability of graduates which includes strengthening English language, IT and soft skills and introduce measures to promote ethnic harmony and national unity.

The Distance Education Modernization Project (DEMP) which concluded after six years in September 2009 helped to establish 50 NODES (National Online Distance Education System) centres initially spread in the Western, North Central, Central, Wyamba, Sabragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces. While the DEMP project was funded to the tune of $60 Million by ADB it had become dysfunctional due to the poor planning by the policy makers in not matching the partner institutions (private sector firms or training institutions) to the need of filling the minimum seats (25) in those centres to make them self sufficient and commercially sustainable.

Another significant reason for its less than optimum success is the under estimating of the time and resources needed to convert conventional learning

material (e.g. books) to online interactive mode (this is possible through learning management systems or

LMS).

The biggest question is have Principals of Muslim Schools been made aware of these facilities, available for working/part time students to continue their education at their own time and pace. This opportunity fits the pattern of most Muslim parents who cannot afford an international school education for their children or sending them to Universities overseas. Old Zahirians and parents may get in touch with the nearest NODES centre or log on to www.nodes.lk for details. The main Colombo Centre is located at the Open University, Nawala.

(The writer is a Consultant on Multilateral Donor Funded Projects).

Distance Education is defined as simply being able to pursue higher education (and or technical education) when you want it and where you want it.

By Rauff Reffai

Members Day

thThe Members Day was held on 13 June 2010 at the Foxhill Estate, Warakapola. This 7 acre estate on a hilly terrain with several cottages, a swimming pool, playground with a spectacular view of the greenery around was an ideal setting for a day of fun and frolic. With over 80 persons present at the event, the day started with cricket followed by soccer, swimming and other games for the family members. The members are grateful to the Chairman of the Fellowship Committee, Mr. Ashroff Ghany, Mrs Ghany and a few others for their untiring efforts in making this year's Members Day an enjoyable event.

Zahira Invitation Rugby SevensIsipatana bags plum

By Farook Lantra

Isipatana College staged a stupendous performance to clinch the Zahira College Group of 60' Rugby Sevens Trophy for the third consecutive year, when they beat St. Joseph's College, Colombo, by a massive 52 points (6 goals and 1 try) to 12 (1 goal and a try) at the Royal Sports Complex on August 1, in front of a capacity crowd. Royal College, Colombo, clinched the Plate trophy when they beat the experienced Royal College, Panadura, by 14 points (two goals) to nil, while the Bowl was won by Ananda College, Colombo, who beat Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, by 31 points (3 goals 2 tries) to 7 (1 goal).

The award for Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament was won by Mekalanka Pramoda of Isipatana College.

More than 130 participants from 13 leading schools in the island took part in the tournament, which was organised for the third year by the Zahira Group of 60'. The Chairman of the Organizing Committee was Mr. M. S. Mazeer.

The sponsors were Phoenix Industries Ltd., Allied Trading International Pvt Ltd. and Diamond Best Foods.

H.E. Kahtan Taha Khalaf, Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq in Sri Lanka was the chief guest. Mr. Fouzul Hameed, Chairman of Board of Governors, Hon. Minister A.H.M.Azwer, Mr. T. K. Azoor (Principal, Zahira College) and Mr. Riza Abdeen (President, Zahira Group of '60s) were also present at the occasion.

Obituary

Mr. Ashroff Hamdoon, Member G60', former ruggerite and brother of Ansar, Mashoor, Faiz and Nafaiz passed away on

The skipper of Isipathana College, Tharindu Siriwardena receives the cup champions trophy and a cash award of

Rs. 50,000 from the Chief Guest H.E. Kahtan Taha Khalaf, the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq

The skipper of Royal College, Colombo, M. Fazil receives the plate trophy from Minister A.H.M. Azwer. Also in the picture is

Mr. Riza Abdeen, President G60'