STEMUP Educational Foundation is proud to announce that its groundbreaking Volunteer Management System (VMS) has been honored with the Gold Award in the Indigenous & Community Services category at the 25th National ICT Awards (NBQSA). The awards ceremony, a momentous occasion in Sri Lanka’s tech industry, took place on October 25th at the Monarch Imperial.
The STEMUP Educational Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing Scientific, Technological, Engineering, and Mathematical (STEM) education among Sri Lankan students, introduced its fully automated Volunteer Management System in 2021. This exceptional system, accessed via stemup.lk, has revolutionized the way volunteers engage with the foundation’s mission and initiatives.
With a volunteer base of over 1,600 individuals hailing from professional organizations and universities, STEMUP has effectively harnessed their expertise to promote STEM education among schoolchildren aged 11-13, 14-18, and university students.
The Volunteer Management System (VMS) offers a seamless online registration process, allowing volunteers to input their essential background information. What sets this system apart is its remarkable flexibility, enabling volunteers to select their technical skills, ranging from ICT-based abilities like Programming, Web Development, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, and UI/UX, to non-ICT skills such as HR Management, Entrepreneurship, Security, Finance & Accounting, Management, Teaching, and Mentoring. Additionally, volunteers can choose their preferred language of communication and opt for any STEMUP program from a diverse list including Micro:bit SLUG, CoderDojo Sri Lanka, AI for Kids, Electronics for Kids, Hour of Code, GameDev Kids, STEM Ambassadors, Cyber Security for Kids, and CareerLink Mentor.
Each registered volunteer is provided with a public profile that can be shared through a unique URL and a private profile for internal purposes. Over time, based on their contributions, volunteers are recognized with a series of badges, including Bronze, Silver, and Gold, which they can proudly display on their public profile. The VMS Admin meticulously verifies and approves all volunteer registrations and assigns projects to volunteers based on specific criteria. The VMS’s user-friendly interface and enhanced visibility of available volunteer opportunities significantly streamline the volunteer experience.
Moreover, the VMS boasts a CareerLink feature, allowing volunteers to effortlessly discover job opportunities and internships at some of Sri Lanka’s leading organizations. This groundbreaking feature permits organizations to register and connect with STEMUP’s exceptional volunteer team to advertise their job openings and internship opportunities. As a result of their volunteer service, STEMUP volunteers are recognized as well-rounded individuals with attributes such as a positive attitude, professionalism, dependability, innovative ideas, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and a passion for learning.
Through the Volunteer Management System, volunteers are also presented with the opportunity to join a Mentorship Program, where they can mentor others in areas such as building startups or finding suitable employment, further enriching their personal and professional development.
This well-deserved Gold Award is a testament to STEMUP Educational Foundation’s tireless commitment to promoting STEM education and the incredible impact of its innovative Volunteer Management System. The foundation’s visionary approach to leveraging technology for community service is truly commendable.
“STEMUP’s journey has always been about inspiring a new generation of problem solvers and innovators. We believe that technology can be a catalyst for positive change, and our Volunteer Management System is a testament to the power of collaboration and community. This Gold Award is not just a recognition of our efforts but a celebration of our dedicated volunteers and the limitless potential of Sri Lankan youth in the world of STEM,” said Prabhath Mannapperuma, Founder and Director of STEMUP Educational Foundation.
For more information about STEMUP Educational Foundation and its Volunteer Management System, please visit stemup.lk.
