IN a move to further provide better education opportunities to the Filipino youth, the PJ Lhuillier Foundation announced its transformation and rebranding at the launch of its e-learning facility at the Ninoy Aquino Library and Learning Resource Center (NALLRC) of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) main campus in Santa Mesa, Manila.
PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies (PJLGC) President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Jean Henri Lhuillier said the change of name comes with the mandate to focus on education.
“In line with our corporate social responsibility efforts, we decided, with the blessing of my dad [Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Philippe Jones Lhuillier], to change the name of our PJ Lhuillier Foundation Inc. to Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. [CLFI]. This was a true effort to show that Cebuana Lhuillier means business in supporting education…in supporting those in need,” Lhuillier said.
At the launch of the facility, Lhuillier thanked PUP President Emmanuel de Guzman and expressed his gratitude to the university for being an “instrument to convey our advocacy that education is a right for everybody and is something that everyone should receive.”
“May this step be a launch pad for young minds to explore different fields of the academe, discover skills and venture out in the world of learning,” Lhuillier said.
The PUP-CLFI E-Learning Center, which is open to all PUP students, houses modern information-technology equipment with 21 units of desktop computers, all with UPS and Wi-Fi access, that will contain titles of over 400 select e-books all over the world.
The P2-million e-learning facility is equipped with complete sound system, concert speakers, wired microphones and microphone stands, control and equalizer. It is also furnished with two split-type air-conditioning units, an LCD projector with screen, emergency lights and four closed-circuit TV cameras.
Staffed by Cebuana Lhuillier personnel who will assist students in their research and studies, the e-learning center will provide a resource support for easy and conducive researching options for the CLFI scholars, PUP students and faculty.
All these, said Dr. Divina Pasumbal, PUP-NALLRC director, make the PUP-CLFI E-Learning Center on a par with those in La Salle, Ateneo and UP Diliman.
“At this juncture, I want to thank the president for opening PUP’s doors to private partnerships because we really have to accept the fact that the government agencies direly need this private partnership,” Pasumbal said.
In return, Lhuillier was elated that the partnership was forged.
“I am happy that the [PUP administration] agreed to this public-private partnership. We definitely saw the need for PUP and I believe PUP also saw the need from their end for private support. More than anything, it is really a question of who needed support the most and we felt, the foundation felt, that PUP was that university,” Lhuillier said.
For his part, Ambassador Lhuillier said he is happy with the direction the foundation is going.
“Watching the foundation grow and become what it is today is one of the most beautiful things that have happened not only for Cebuana Lhuillier but also for the family of PJ Lhuillier. We firmly believe that education is the best weapon to overcome poverty and help the country push its potential,” he said.
“The CLFI aims to help our youth and push them to pursue studies, have them be an instrument of change and become inspiration to others. Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. will never tire of helping and handing service, especially to those who need it the most,” the ambassador said.
In Photo: Executives of Cebuana Lhuillier attend the opening ceremonies of its foundation’s donation on August 16 of an e-learning center at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Santa Mesa, Manila. Unveiling the memorabilia marker are (from left) PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies (PJLGC) President and CEO Dr. Jean Henri D. Lhuillier; PJLGC Chairman Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier; and PUP President Dr. Emmanuel C. de Guzman. (Nonie Reyes)
Source: Business Mirror