IN an impromptu effort to raise funds to contribute to the construction of the STEM Centre at The Mico University College, president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Metry Seaga put up the winning bid of US$1,000.

It was the auction of the author’s copy of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Century: It Takes A Village To Raise A 21st Century Graduate – Jamaica Edition, published by Marlon Lindsay, CEO of 21st Century ED.

The book outlines recommendations for providing an integrated STEM education. Proceeds from the sale of the book will be used to develop the STEM Centre to train teachers in the delivery of a STEM curriculum.

Seaga said he closed the bid to show the solidarity of the private sector community with the proposed new approach to education, to be led by Mico, as he believes Kingston will become the new STEM city.

The auction, introduced by Lindsay, took place at the official opening of the two-day Mico STEM Century International Conference held at AC Hotel Kingston last Tuesday, July 4.

Lindsay — co-sponsor of the conference — announced that the construction of a new Mico STEM Centre would cost US$50 million, of which US$1 million had already been committed by Dr Glen Christian, chairman of Carimed Group and the STEM for Growth Foundation of The Mico University College.

Lindsay appealed to members of the audience and those in cyberspace to make the project a reality through their contributions, saying history would record that they were “in the room” when the decision was taken that Jamaica would transform its education system through STEM.

Speaking at the event, Seaga said that as Jamaica strives to become a logistics-centred economy and the place of choice to do business, the island will have to embrace STEM and its role in enabling its people to perform higher up in the value chain and in every one of the industries.

In making reference to the economic prosperity and wealth creation of countries with high levels of STEM graduates — such as the United Arab Emirates, Germany and Estonia — the PSOJ president said those advancements represent what well-thinking Jamaicans would like to attain for Jamaica…and even better.

“Today with an unemployment rate of 6.6 per cent, growth has eluded us and we remain plagued by a declining productivity rate. So, we must raise the standard of our workforce and equip them with the competencies that stimulate innovation and critical thinking,” he continued.

The PSOJ president admitted that challenges such as limited resources, gender disparities, and lack of access to technology could hinder the potential of STEM education on the island.

But he proposed that to overcome those obstacles, “we must embed STEM in our DNC and our policies throughout the entire educational ecosystem by investing in technological infrastructure and providing STEM training for educators”.

Seaga noted that the PSOJ is working alongside partners such as the Government and academia to implement practical measures to create an inclusive environment for STEM education.