The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced a partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF) to further enhance the Bank’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education projects andthe delivery of STEM education toselected underperforming schools in Sri Lanka.
This initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Educationcomes a year after the Bank supported theestablishment of100 STEM smart classrooms island-wide to deliver digitised educational content. Under the MoU signed with NSF, the Bank’s CSR Trustwill provide a list of schools to implement STEM projects and deliver logistical support to launch the STEM programme and carry out impact assessments.
Recognising the rapid advancements in technology globally and the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the STEM fields, the Bank said its CSR Trust chose to implement this project to prioritise STEM education in the local education system.
For its part, the NSF will recommend schools deserving of STEM education support, assist the Bank in selecting and evaluating education projects which would yield impact at national level, assist the Bank to design the training programme, and perform impact assessments after the implementation of the STEM programme.
Both parties will identify and implement interventions to address specific requirements of selected schools chosen for the programme, among their other responsibilities listed in the agreement.
Commercial Bank Chief Financial Officer Nandika Buddhipala said: “The Bank decided to expand its efforts in the field of STEM education because this will help prepare students for the jobs of the future.
Many of the fastest-growing and highest-paying jobs in the modern economy are in STEM fieldssuch as computer science, engineering, and data analysis. By providing students with a strong foundation in these subjects, we can ensure that the next generation of Sri Lanka is well-equipped to succeed in careers that are in demand.”
STEM education helps foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By teaching students how to analyse data, design experiments, and solve complex problems, STEM education helps to equip them with the skills necessary to succeed in any field.
In addition to preparing students for future careers and fostering critical thinking skills, the STEM education programme can also help promote innovation and drive economic growth in the country, the Bank said.
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