In the new academic year, UWC Dilijan College opened its doors to 94 new students who will start their studies based on the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). In 2015, UWC Dilijan will complete the two IB Diploma cohorts and so finally constitute the full establishment of the college during the first phase of its development.

 

The college now has 190 students in total coming from 64 countries. 21 of them are from Armenia and Artsakh; 11 of them were admitted this year.

The teaching staff was expanded by 17 specialists invited to deliver new subjects and expand the size of some departments. 

Head of UWC Dilijan College John Puddefoot welcomedstudents and teachers. “One of the convictions that binds the visions of our Founders, the UWC movement, and the International Baccalaureate together, is that investment in education of the highest quality is what holds out hope for justice, peace and prosperity. It’s precisely why we are committing our time, efforts and funds both to class work and to out-of-class trainings. We hope the practice gained at UWC Dilijan College will transform us all inspiring to dedicate our lives to serving the society, our country and the entire world,” he said.

Chair of the Board of Governors of UWC Dilijan College VeronikaZonabend said that education and school are not contained in just the building. “The ‘title’ role belongs to the teachers as well as the children who come to study here. Head of UWC Dilijan College John Puddefoot has managed to bring together an interesting academic staff and owing to the unique selection system of UWC, we have bright, distinctive and talented children with an active lifestyle. An overly interesting but difficult work lies ahead of you – you should not only gain academic knowledge but also life experience in a multi-cultural environment, which will beyond doubt reshape your personality. I am happy this work is carried out not only at school but also across its walls since UWC Dilijan is an integral part of the city of Dilijan. Changes in the city’s life are already visible. Those changes occur owing to the interaction of the students and local young people. I hope these outcomes will be sustainable and long-term,” she said.

The main buildings and the campus have been given the final finishing touches and all the conditions needed to support world-class education have been created. In 2015, UWC Dilijan College received a number of reputable and international awards. The college became International Property Awards 2015 laureate in “Public Services Development” category (European region). It was also awardedIGRA Green Roof Leadership Award 2015 in “Trendsetting Architecture” category. In addition, it’s the only educational institution in the CIS certified by BREEAM sustainable building standards.

“The new buildings and facilities are looking magnificent, and I am struck by the quality and richness of the experience any student will enjoy here, as are all our visitors, most of whom end their tours by expressing the wish that they could be young again and able to study here. The college is situated in a country of outstanding natural beauty and overwhelming hospitality; it will stand comparison with any school in the world. I believe our students will not only gain amazing practice but will also enjoy studying and living here,” said John Puddefoot.

Editors’ notes

UWCDilijanCollege

The international boarding school UWC Dilijan College, a collaborative project of individuals and organizations, is implemented by the educational initiatives foundation Scholae Mundi and Initiatives for Development of Armenia (IDeA) Charitable Foundation. Official opening of the college took place on October 11, 2014. Among the school’s Founding Patrons are the Co-Founder of RVVZ Foundation, entrepreneur and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, who is Chairman of the Board of Founding Patrons of UWC Dilijan College, Co-Founder of RVVZ Foundation and Chair of the Board of Governors of UWC Dilijan College VeronikaZonabend, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board at Rusnano Management Company LLC Vladimir Avetissian and his wife Anna Avetissian, President of RD Group GagikAdibekyan, Managing Partner and CEO at Flagship Ventures NoubarAfeyan and his wife Anna Afeyan, and Director General at ISD Corporation Oleg Mkrtchan.

The idea to open an international school in Armenia emerged in 2006, while construction began in the spring of 2012. In 2013 Dilijan International School became a full member of UWC and received the name UWC Dilijan College, as well as gaining the official status of IB World School, securing accreditation to teach under the IB Diploma Programme (International Baccalaureate).

As of today, operating on the campus of UWC Dilijan College are the facilities of the first phase, with GBA of 37 thou sq.m, including the campus’s main academic and administration building with the most up-to-date teaching equipment, a sports complex and a medical center, a football pitch, volleyball, basketball and tennis courts, boarding houses, multifunctional center and other buildings. The second construction phase is scheduled to end in 2017. GBA of the education complex is to total 69 thou sq.m.

UWC Dilijan College is a large-scale philanthropic initiative. As of opening day, expenditure on the school’s construction, implemented solely through charitable donations, totaled $115m. The second construction phase has an estimated cost of $75m. Additional project outlays (land purchase, architectural-engineering jobs and infrastructural development) are estimated at around $30m for the entire period. The school’s operating budget over the next five years will equal on average $8m annually. The majority of operating expenditures will be covered through income generated from the endowment fund and resources of the scholarship fund.

TheUWCMovement

The United World Colleges movement was founded in 1962 in Great Britain. The UWC network currently has 15 schools and colleges located in five parts of the world, including UWC Dilijan College in Armenia. Student selection is competitive, taking place via national committees in 150 countries, empowered to select and nominate candidates for fully-funded or partially-funded places or unfunded places in UWC schools.

ScholaeMundi

Scholae Mundi Foundation promotes education of students at UWC Dilijan College and other educational establishments mainly by providing funds for capital development and scholarships. The mission of Scholae Mundi Foundation is to promote the most advanced educational practices for the public benefit, while catalyzing wider social change.

Initiatives for Development of Armenia (IDeA)

IDeA (Initiatives for Development of Armenia) Charitable Foundation was established by the entrepreneurs and philanthropists Ruben Vardanyan andVeronikaZonabend. The Foundation focuses on programs which achieve tangible socioeconomic development and assist Armenia in transition from the survival model to the prosperity model. IDeA is committed to promoting social entrepreneurship in Armenia through investments in long-term, non-profit projects, as well as ensuring their sustainability.

The Foundation implementы large-scale charitable initiatives in Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian diaspora which strive to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the Armenian people and revitalize the nation in an ever-changing world. Among the flagship projects of IDeA Foundation are UWC Dilijan, Tatev Revival, Reconstruction of St. George Cathedral in Tbilisi, Dilijan Development project and many others.

The concept of the Foundation originated from the project “Armenia-2020”, which was initiated and supported by Ruben Vardanyan and NoubarAfeyan in the early 2000s. Through scenario analysis, “Armenia-2020” aimed to identify development prospects for Armenia until 2020. Based on priorities of development in Armenia, the IDeA Foundation implements several intertwined infrastructure projects inside and outside the country.

 

 

 

 

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