21st Century Learning Project and STEM Program at St Benedict’s College

We are excited to share further information on the 21st Century Learning Project and STEM Program discussed at the Annual General Meeting in March this year.

The St Benedict’s College Strategic and Education committees and Rev Bro Director have decided to emphasise Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning in the College curriculum. This would enable the College to create graduates with a set of skills to allow them to be successful 21st-century citizens. The Leadership team in Colombo have devised a plan to create a dedicated state-of-the-art STEM centre and the OBU Victoria has decided to support this STEM project. 

Meeting in Colombo

We were fortunate that the President of the Old Boys Union, Victoria - Denver Fernando was invited on the 28th of March 2023 to meet with all the key decision makers involved in the 21st Century learning project and STEM program. The following team in Colombo were happy to meet Denver in person and updated him on the progress and next steps to be shared with the OBU membership in Victoria.

• Rev. Bro. Dr Pubudu Rajapaksha - Director/Principal - St Benedict’s College

• Rohan de Silva - Vice Patron - OBU and Chairman - McLarens Group

• Denver Fernando - President - OBU Victoria and CEO - HealthRecon Connect LLC

• Ruan Samarasinghe - President - SBC Welfare Society and Managing Director - Jetwing Hotels

• Devaan Cooray - Secretary - SBC Development Fund and Senior Director - Ceylinco Life Insurance

• Lalith Madappuli - Vice President OBU and  Chairman- Lanka Hiqu Ltd

• Peter D'Almeida - Head of Strategic Planning - IT Professional and a multifaceted personality

• Romesh Croos Moraes - Rtd.Vice Chairman - Finlays Tea and Country Chairman of World Vision

• Sunil Ranjith Dediwalage - Award-winning Educationist, Spearheading 21st-century Century Learning at SBC including the STEM Centre

• Felix Dias - Old Ben

Key takeaways from this update:

• Peter D’Almeida presented the progress of the “21st Century Learning at SBC” program. Significant progress has been made to date

• Mr Dediwalage presented the proposed plan for the STEM Centre

• The STEM centre would be part of the overall 21st-century learning initiative

• Further recognition of STEM Learning by the Finance Minister of Sri Lanka (See article in Daily Mirror)

• Full recognition of the STEM program from Rev. Bro Director and the Benedictine OBU in Colombo

• Rev. Bro Director committed to providing the three chambers required for the STEM Centre from the newly renovated Clock Tower building.

• Formal endorsement by Rev Bro Director

Melbourne Update

Following the meeting in Colombo, OBU Victoria committee members were able to meet with Sunil Ranjith Dediwalage in Melbourne on Sunday, 23rd April 2023 to further understand this initiative and what it means to the new graduates of St Benedict’s College.

We already have confirmation for sponsorship of four robots and four iPads courtesy of old Ben and committee member Dr Sachitra Patabadige.

Next steps

• Evaluate and finalise the next steps and level of commitment from the OBU Victoria committee

• Communicate formal commitment from OBU Victoria in support of the STEM project 

• Assign a Project Lead from the OBU Victoria committee to oversee and manage the project in coordination with the Task team in Colombo

• Finalise project plan/sponsorship program 

• Finalise marketing and communication plan

Your queries and support for this progressive initiative are highly appreciated.

Please forward any queries to bensobuvic@gmail.com