Sevenoaks School is delighted to name the Brian Ong Global Centre to honour our distinguished alumnus and major donor Brian Ong (OS 2002). Brian is a leading ed-tech entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Bonday International, whose business supports young people globally through mentoring and seed funding.
The naming of the centre follows a landmark gift from Brian to support the school’s ongoing endowment campaign, which was created to secure the future of academic excellence, access and innovation.
The Brian Ong Global Centre (formerly the Global Study Centre) was opened in 2018 and is a cornerstone of Sevenoaks School’s approach to education and global learning. It is home to the Sixth Form Centre, the Institute of Higher Education and Professional Insight, and the Institute of Teaching and Learning. The offices of the Director of the IB, Director of Science and Technology and the Examinations department are also located in the centre.
While at Sevenoaks, Brian lived in the International Centre, before going on to pursue undergraduate studies at Yale University and graduate studies at Stanford University. He was an active squash and tennis player and played the saxophone and violin in several musical groups at Sevenoaks. He also excelled academically, winning four academic prizes in Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth.
Brian is a Trustee of the Sevenoaks School Foundation, an advisory board member of the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, a member of the Leadership Council of the Yale School of Public Health and a vice chair of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, among other commitments. Brian’s work exemplifies the values of leadership, innovation and inclusivity. The Brian Ong Global Centre, to be known as the OGC, will support students to develop the knowledge, skills and perspectives necessary to thrive as global citizens.
Brian Ong said: ‘I had a world–class education at Sevenoaks and I am eternally grateful to my teachers for shaping me in my formative years. My time at Sevenoaks helped me develop broad perspectives that were critical to my later academic and career success in the US and Asia. I wholeheartedly support Jesse Elzinga’s vision for a globally minded school and his ambitious plans as the school approaches its 600th anniversary in 2032.’
Jesse Elzinga said: ‘We are deeply grateful to Brian for his extraordinary generosity and for embodying what it means to be a global citizen. The Brian Ong Global Centre not only celebrates our diverse community but ensures that our current students and future generations will be inspired to think beyond borders and make meaningful contributions to the world.’
