Chennai: One-hundred-and-ten students from the Islamiah Boys and Girls School in Vaniyambadi graduated on August 3, 2017 from the English Access Micro-scholarship Program supported by the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai.

The graduation ceremony was held at  Vaniyambadi Muslim Educational Society in Vaniyambadi.

Mr. Eric Lund, Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General, presented graduation certificates to students. “The Access program is a key that opens multiple doors and will lead you to a future in higher education and employment,” he said. “It is an opportunity to engage with people and achieve your goals.”

Access, funded by the U.S. Department of State, is a two-year interactive program that provides a foundation of English language skills to talented 13 to 23 year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds through after-school classes and intensive summer camps.

The Vaniyambadi Muslim Educational Society (VMES) was established in 1901 and is a pioneer in the field of education in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. The founder’s vision was to promote social welfare through education. VMES has six Islamic institutions with three schools, two colleges and a training center serving 7,000 boys and girls.