CSR briefs

 

Alumnus promotes learning

SPS Global Corporation, a company established by an alumnus of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), has announced a scholarship of US$8,000 (Bt249,280) for a student to pursue a Master’s programme at AIT’s School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD). 

The formal agreement to award the scholarship was signed on 28 June 2013 by managing director of SPS Global Corporation, Dr Soontorn Pironsartkoon, and the Interim AIT President Prof Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai. Besides the scholarship, the company is exploring internship opportunities for students of AIT’s School of Engineering and Technology (SET) and SERD.

The memorandum of understanding also aimed at promoting research collaboration between AIT and SPS Global. The two will also partner in organising promotional activities during the enrolment of international students.

 

Bacardi volunteer project

Bacardi recently held a month-long series of employee volunteer projects in communities around the world. The wide array of projects was aimed at promoting healthy and environmentally sustainable communities.

“Bacardi is committed to giving back to the communities that have helped us grow for more than 150 years,” said Ed Shirley, president and CEO of Bacardi. “Social responsibility was a foundation of Bacardi even before we were established, when our founder volunteered to lead humanitarian aid efforts after an earthquake devastated his hometown of Santiago de Cuba in 1852.”

Through its “Spirit for Life, Caring Together” corporate responsibility (CR) programme, Bacardi, Bacardi employees donated blood, restored beach and coastal areas, raised money for food banks, renovated gardens for the elderly and poor, donated clothes and cleaned up parks and community centres. They also cared for homeless animals, planted trees and helped protect wildlife.

The overarching theme of the CR month focused on environmental sustainability. This theme reinforced the company’s commitment to cut its use of natural resources and maximise reduction of its carbon footprint, waste and water usage. Over the past six years, Bacardi has reduced its water consumption globally by 50 percent and cut energy use by 33 percent.

In this second year, more than two-thirds of Bacardi employees worldwide participated in the initiative representing 41 offices and facilities in 35 countries. Employees volunteered nearly 9,500 hours as they engaged in 98 different activities.