Holcim Lanka continues cooperation with academic community, signs agreement with Ruhuna University

Monday, 10 June 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

As part of its mission to support the Engineering Faculties of Sri Lanka in advancing their knowledge in cement, concrete and sustainable construction practices, Holcim Lanka Limited (HLL) has reached an agreement with the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Ruhuna.

The agreement establishes forms of cooperation between Holcim, as one of the leading cement manufacturers in Sri Lanka and the Faculty of Engineering of the UOR in order to promote training and joint R&D and education initiatives for the social promotion of cement, concrete and new construction methods.

For HLL, the agreement is one more step in the development of innovation through the training of future professionals. As such, as the sponsor and the research collaborator, HLL will pay expenses incurred locally for material, labour, minor equipment, books related to cement, concrete, architecture and sustainable construction practices, essential safety equipment and display material which are related to cement, concrete and related materials for the engineering faculty lab, etc. as well as grant scholarships to the needy civil-engineering students within the faculty.

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. In addition, HLL and the University, together with HLL’s subsidiary, Geocycle will discuss and identify possible ways of providing waste disposal solutions for recyclable wastes generated within the University.

Whilst HLL further gets the opportunity to participate in annual University events such as exhibitions, the agreement also stipulates that HLL will facilitate the final year students to visit its Puttalam or Galle cement plants, whilst also accommodating University staff members and students to use the Holcim Innovation and Application Center (I&A Center) facilities for their research work.

This is the second such agreement that has been signed by Holcim Lanka with the universities of Sri Lanka, with the agreement with the University of Moratuwa preceding above.

Holcim is committed to being a good neighbour in the communities in which the company operates. To achieve this, the company constantly assess local needs, promotes community involvement and partners with local stakeholders to improve educational, social and cultural development in those communities.

HLL’s preference is often given to three focus areas: Education that increases future options, initiatives that support strong communities (i.e. helping communities to help themselves) and sustainable infrastructure and this agreement identifies priority needs in all these three areas, and what’s more, gain exposure to practices from around the world, considering the company’s global network.

Holcim Lanka is a part of the global Holcim Group and is the market leader in the cement industry with a strong focus on economic, social and environmental performance along the triple bottom line of sustainable development. Holcim is one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates (crushed stone, gravel and sand) as well as further activities such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt including services. The Group holds majority and minority interests in around 70 countries on all continents.