KEF Holdings, a specialist in innovative offsite construction technology, headquartered in Singapore, plans to invest more than Rs 1,500 crore in India in social sectors, including education, over the next five years. The company is planning to invest in education sector that could transform public school education in Kerala. This initiative would be supported by Faizal and Shabana Foundation.
KEF group’s chairman Faizal E Kottikollon, stated, “In line with the government’s ‘Make in India’ vision, KEF Holdings is committed to supporting change by focusing on three basic needs – infrastructure, education and healthcare. KEF will change infrastructure development in the country by bringing in best practice, technologies and processes from across the world and integrating them to offer assured quality and a significant reduction in time and money.”
On the education front, Kottikollon wants to focus on public schools as he believes “that is where society can get the greatest bang for the buck.” Earlier, to help improve school education for the economically weaker sections of society, his foundation promptly took up redeveloping the Government Vocational Higher Secondary School for Girls at Nadakkavu, Calicut.
After obtaining all requisite clearances from the authorities, he rebuilt the school by constructing modern structures and facilities replete with laboratories, gymnasiums and an astro-turf playground. The construction process was completed without losing a single day’s schooling for girls. Teaching faculty was also given importance, as Kottikollon included IIM Calicut to bring in special courses for teachers. The school soon got listed as one of the top five schools in Kerala and with this Kottikollon hopes to make it one of the top 5 schools in the country.
The Faizal and Shabana Foundation also decided to transform 100 public schools in that state and for this, Kottikollon hopes to get the state to commit its funds, while his trust will put up Rs 500 crore on its own. “Each of these schools will have at least 2,500 students, thus giving us the ability to transform the lives of some 2,50,000 students.” He believes that a similar competitive spirit will spread to other states as well when they watch the transformation of Kerala’s public education.
KEF Holdings would also channel investments through its two business verticals, KEF Infra and KEF Health. KEF Infra will cater to India’s education, healthcare, commercial and residential sectors through offering design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly and project management. KEF Health will aim to reduce the cost of healthcare through industrialising infrastructure, creating evidence-based care-paths and promoting disruptive healthcare technology.
