By Khalifa Hemed
Published October 4, 2019
An international network of schools that focuses on education as a platform to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future invites applications for its world-recognized International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in 2020.
“Applications are open for students who want to become changemakers to spend their last two years of high school at one of the 18 UWCs around the world,” says United World Colleges (UWC), that has 18 boarding schools on four continents, including UWC East Africa in Tanzania and Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa in eSwatini. “More than two thirds of places for entry in 2020 are reserved for applicants in need of financial assistance, either on full or partial scholarships.”
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Saying students are selected on the basis of their ‘potential and motivation to make a difference in today’s world, independent of their socio-economic means’, UWC says in a statement issued in London (England) on October 3, 2019 that “Applicants who need financial assistance can apply to UWC through their UWC national committee of residency or citizenship … located in over 150 countries” while those “who do not need a scholarship can apply through the Global Selection Programme (GSP). The deadlines for applications through the UWC national committees are available on www.uwc.org/applicationdeadlines. Applications via the GSP will be accepted on a rolling basis.” Detailed information on the application process is available on the uwc.org/ website.
UWC says it operates on “the belief that education can help create a better world for everyone. Students come from a very diverse range of socio-economic, religious, national, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. They live together, study the rigorous IBDP and learn the skills to become tomorrow’s changemakers. UWC’s focus on community and action empowers students to believe that no issue is beyond solving, and no group is beyond help. While the youngest generations are often told that some things can’t be changed or that some problems can’t be resolved, UWC believes that saying ‘can’t’ won’t help.”
Since its establishment in 1962, UWC says, “more than 60,000 graduates have had the opportunity to receive an international education at UWC and pursue the world-recognized International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).”
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“How do we educate today’s youth to ensure they can develop the globally-minded, ethical, compassionate leadership skills we so desperately need to make constructive change happen? What happens when local students, survivors of conflict, and future queens study and live side-by-side for two years? How do we teach young people to be curious in their learning and become compassionate, committed and active members of their local community? That is what a UWC education addresses,” says Jens Watlermann, Executive Director, UWC International.
