Nahil Wijesuriya funds 250 mn to Ananda’s STEAM centers

Philanthropist Mr. Nahil Wijesuriya, with a remarkable contribution of Rs. 250 million, has joined hands with the Anandians to pioneer STEAM learning programs in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s Ananda College has opened the country’s first public sector STEAM Education Center with a Rs. 250 million donation from philanthropist Nahil Wijesuriya. The landmark initiative nurtures innovation and critical thinking through hands-on learning, setting a benchmark for education reform nationwide.  
Philanthropist Nahil Wijesuriya has made a landmark contribution of Rs. 250 million recently to Ananda College’s Centre of Excellence (COE), catalyzing the establishment of Sri Lanka’s first STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Education Center within the public school sector.   
This generous investment by Mr Wijesuriya, warmly supported by his family, will help bring to life the Rs. 410 million Centre of Excellence at Ananda College, featuring ten state-of-the-art STEAM learning centers designed to inspire generations of learners.  
By integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), this innovative approach embraces creativity and artistic expression alongside science and technology.   
It nurtures critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills through activity-based learning, while enabling students to explore both local and global opportunities and prepare for contemporary and future challenges.  
The project has received wide recognition and support from distinguished educationists, professionals, entrepreneurs, and artisans, who have generously shared their expertise in ways that both align with and complement the ongoing discourse on educational reforms in Sri Lanka.  
For over two years, both local and overseas alumni of Ananda College have contributed their expertise and funding to make this vision a reality.   
The Centre of Excellence and its initiatives are designed to extend beyond Ananda College, serving as a national hub of learning for students and institutions across the country.  
This initiative is spearheaded by the Old Anandians’ Professional Forum (OAPF), affiliated with the Ananda College Old Boys’ Association (ACOBA), with the project and program concepts developed by esteemed Anandians.  
When the college launched Sri Lanka’s first STEAM Education Center in the public school sector, it marked an educational milestone. The Centre of Excellence (COE) is located in the historically significant Pasmahala building and promotes innovative, activity-based learning that emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, leadership, and entrepreneurship among students.   
The COE moves away from traditional teaching and embraces hands-on STEAM pedagogy.   
It encourages students to engage with subjects through inquiry, dialogue, and problem-solving. This prepares them for real-world challenges and future careers.   
Ten specialized hubs at the Centre focus on robotics, programmable drones, the Internet of Things, algorithms, and other advanced technologies. The curriculum, created by nearly 100 academic and industry experts, equips students with in-demand skills to build confidence locally and globally.   
The Pasmahala building, originally built in the early 1970s but deteriorated significantly, underwent major renovations. The Old Anandians Professional Forum led restoration work, modernizing infrastructure while preserving the building’s heritage.   
Philanthropist Nahil Wijesuriya donated Rs. 250 million towards the Rs. 410 million project. The COE stresses transparency, working with international auditors and maintaining open community support channels, including crowdfunding.   
Beyond serving Ananda College, the COE aims to be a national model for innovation-driven education in Sri Lanka. The project has the backing of the Ministry of Education and is expected to inspire inquiry-based learning across the country. It hopes to nurture future leaders passionate about science, technology, and the arts.   
The Centre’s approach represents a major shift, empowering students with the skills and mindsets needed to meet 21st-century demands. This initiative stands as a beacon of progressive education in the Sri Lankan public school landscape.