2009 Chennai Press Releases
U.S. Consulate General- Chennai and Anjuman-E-Himayath-E-Islam Honor “Access” Students
Chennai, June 9: The U.S. Consulate General-Chennai and the Anjuman-e-Himayath-e-Islam, Chennai, is organizing the certificate awarding ceremony for successful completion of the “Access” English Language Study Program on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. The venue is: AHI Academy, Anjuman-e-Himayath-e-Islam, No. 16, B. N. Reddy Road, Off. Vijayaraghava Road, T. Nagar, Chennai - 600 017.
The U.S. State Department’s Office of English Language Programs has been conducting a two-year “Access” English Micro scholarship Program” for underprivileged students (14-18 year olds) around the world. Access is a two-year interactive English teaching program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. The aim of the two-year program is to provide the young students with the language skills they need to enter university and to begin careers in the international market place. The Access Program uses creative learning techniques and materials which also expose students to American culture and values, with an emphasis on democratic principles and civic engagement.
Since the Access Program was launched in India in 2004, it has reached more than 1500 students in New Delhi, Jammu, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai. There are 1000 students currently enrolled in Access Programs across India and 10,000 students studying in Access Programs around the globe. In coordination with the Regional English Language Office at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai has three successful on-going Access Programs in South India – Anjuman-e-Himayath-e-Islam Matriculation School (Chennai), Home for the Poor Boys (Chennai) and Women’s Muslim Association (Thiruvananthapuram).
Anjuman-e-Himayath-e-Islam Matriculation Higher Secondary School was the only school in South India selected for the launch of the “Access” program in 2004. The school is run by the Anjuman-e-Himayath-e-Islam, a charitable trust that strives to promote Islamic values. Established in 1890 by well-know Muslim community leaders with the objective of helping to rehabilitate poor and helpless Muslim orphans, Anjuman has gradually grown into a higher secondary school with nearly 1000 Muslim students – most from very poor backgrounds. Virtually all the students from age 3 to 19 live on campus. Anjuman conducts various activities for the children’s holistic development in the avenues of education, residential facilities and counseling. Students are encouraged to appear for competitive examinations and are awarded scholarships to pursue their higher education.
The first and second groups of 120 students who completed their Access courses have successfully entered into the degree / professional colleges. The third group of 65 students will receive their completion certificates on June 10, 2009 from Mr. Frederick J. Kaplan, Consul for Public Affairs. Anjuman has another 120 students undergoing Access Program currently.
Anjuman Matriculation Higher Secondary School has produced 100% result this year also with more than 80% getting First Class and above, both in the Higher Secondary and in Matriculation Examinations. The school toppers will be presented awards for their success by the President of Anjuman Mr. U .Md. Khaleelullah on this occasion. All the students who are the awardees in this function have undergone the Access Program. Three of them have been selected as recipients of the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program Scholarship to the United States for an academic year (August 2009 – April 2010). They will be organizing a cultural program to mark this day.