MESSAGE FROM GUEST OF HONOUR ERIC LAVERTU, AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE TO SRI LANKA

On this memorable occasion of the ceremonial inauguration of EDEX 2020, Sri Lanka’s Premier and Largest Higher Education Expo and Careers Fair I want to pay tribute to the honourable members of EDEX for offering the youth of Sri Lanka this much awaited platform of career guidance for the 17th consecutive year.

Education is a fundamental right which helps train women and men, to improve their skills but also to share common values opening up the path of living together. A very famous French comedian named Coluche once said that “the doors of the future are open to those who know how to push them.” I hope that every student, every job seeker and every young entrepreneur who comes through the doors of EDEX over the next three days will seize the right opportunity that will allow him/her to build the career he or she is dreaming of.

With the aim of empowering Sri Lankan youth, by creating EDEX, the Royal College Union has responded since 2004 to the national need of connecting talented students to the national universities and leading educational institutes from many countries as well as presenting great employment opportunities for job seekers. I am delighted that France, under the blue, white and red flags of the French Pavilion, will be participating for the third year of this renowned gathering to promote our education system, offering Sri Lankan students the unique experience of benefiting from the French expertise in many fields while enjoying the French lifestyle in the heart of Europe. But, more importantly, studying in another country and living in a different culture will be the greatest personal experience that will change a young person’s life.

I would like to warmly thank EDEX for giving some of our top leading French institutes, the Alliance Française de Kotte and the only agency for French Higher Education Campus France, the opportunity to help Sri Lankan youth reach its goals.

France is looking forward to participating in many more EDEX Expos to come, staying focused on our common priority of giving Sri Lankan young leaders keys for a brighter future.

Finally I wish EDEX 2020 greater success.