BANGALORE: Embassy Group has partnered with ANZ with the goal to develop and nurture government schools in and around Bangalore.
The initiative has brought Embassy and ANZ together to construct a new building for the Government Higher Primary Kannada Medium School in Hegdenagar. The project is planned for completion in 2019. Currently, the school houses more than 600 students that benefit from educational and extra-curricular initiatives from Embassy Group and their NGO partner in education, Colours of Life.
The total cost of the project is Rs 2.36 crores with Embassy Group also providing project management and infrastructural services free of cost, to oversee end-to-end design and development activities.
The first phase of the project will see an infusion of Rs 1.7 crores and the remaining amount will be a part of the second phase of construction. The new build will include a total of 21 rooms including classrooms, staff rooms, a library, science lab, a kitchen, a toilet block and a covered play area that will also serve as a dining and assembly area. The school will also be made disabled friendly with ramps and accessible handwash areas.
Embassy has previously worked in collaboration with Swiss Re and Bangalore North Round Table Trust to fund and manage the new build and extension to the Government Higher Primary Girls School, Devanahalli. This was the 15th such engagement with a park occupier through their Corporate Connect Program.
Talking about the collaboration with ANZ, Jitu Virwani, Chairman and Managing Director, Embassy Group said “We strongly believe that the future of India depends upon the quality of education imparted to our children. As such, we at Embassy Group have committed ourselves to build a sustainable eco-system and actively contribute to the social and economic development of the communities where we operate. We are glad to partner with ANZ in this project with the similar endeavor of working towards the betterment of the society and look forward to providing all the support to take this relationship further.”
Venkataraman SV, Managing Director ANZ Bengaluru Service Centre, said: “ANZ’s social commitment is focused on creating a sustainable impact in the geographies that we operate in. In a country like India, we believe education is at the core of this commitment and an important enabler to achieve our social goals. We are excited to support this initiative along with Embassy and Colours of Life which will help us bring our Purpose to life – to shape a world where people and communities thrive.”
Mike Holland, CEO, Embassy Office Parks said, “This partnership is part of Embassy Group’s Corporate Connect Programme which initiates, facilitates and supports community outreach programs by many of the 190 corporate occupiers of Embassy office parks in Bangalore. Corporate Occupiers welcome the opportunity to partner and support the economically weaker sections of the society especially under-served government schools and school children. Apart from collaborating on the CSR mandates of the Corporates, this initiative also provides opportunities for employee engagement which are enthusiastically received by the employees. These projects are a way of giving back and connecting to the communities where we operate.”
Embassy Group has committed itself to equip students with the skills for self-development and future employability. As a part of this initiative Embassy has adopted and is currently supporting 17 schools and a children’s home, with over 7000 children benefitting from educational and infrastructural initiatives. It endeavors to empower each of its schools with essential necessities including safe infrastructure, clean facilities, basic amenities including uniforms, notebooks, stationary and backpacks, access to quality educational programs, additional staff, and opportunities to engage in interactive events that help nurture these young minds. Educational programs are implemented through Colours of Life, a non-profit organization striving to uplift under privileged children by helping government schools to transform themselves into institutes of excellence.
