United World College of the Adriatic

Coordinates: 45°46′24″N 13°36′19″E / 45.7733°N 13.6053°E / 45.7733; 13.6053

United World College of the Adriatic
Location
Duino,
Duino-Aurisina Comune,
TS,
 Friuli-Venezia Giulia Friuli-Venezia Giulia region,
Italy Italy
Information
Type International Baccalaureate
Motto UWC makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future
Established 1982
President Ambassador Gianfranco Facco Bonetti (August 2008-)
Headmaster Mike Price
Number of students c. 200
Campus type Residential, urban
Affiliation United World Colleges
Website www.uwcad.it

United World College of the Adriatic (UWC Adriatic or UWCAd [1][2]) is a part of the United World Colleges, a global educational movement that brings together students from all over the world with the aim to foster peace and international understanding. The school is attended by around 200 mixed-gender students aged between 16 and 19, mostly on full scholarship, from around 90 countries of the world, who study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, a two-year internationally recognized pre-university program.

The school is hosted in the village of Duino, between Trieste and Monfalcone, in North-Eastern Italy in the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, less than 5 km from the Slovenian border. It was founded in 1982, by the Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, with the support of the Italian Government (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), who are still the major financial supporters of the College.

Students and staff

The students of UWCAd are selected by UWC national selection committees in their home countries (in e.g. Germany,[3] Philippines,[4] India,[5] UK[6]) on the basis of academic achievement, leadership potential, extracurricular activities involvement and personal qualities. The students selected are awarded a full scholarship.[7] The Italian National Committee for United World Colleges acts under the patronage of the President of the Italian Republic[8] and is responsible for communication with the international organisation and for the selection of Italian pupils.[9]

In academic year 2011-12, the school will host 184 students,[10] of which approximately 15% are Italian, 15% come from Western Europe, 20% from Eastern Europe, 15% from the Americas, 15% from Africa and the Middle East and 20% from Asia and Oceania. Teachers are also hired on an international level. Apart from being responsible for classroom teaching they act as personal tutors for a group of students and contribute to the residential nature of the College and the running of activities and services.

Life at UWCAd

UWCAd, following the ideals of German educator Kurt Hahn, founder of the UWC movement, believes in a holistic approach to education which makes personal development of the student central. Courses at the College are taught in English. However, students are not selected on the basis of their ability to speak English (e.g. the Italian National Committee does not consider knowledge of English a prerequisite for application.[11])

In addition to the requirements of the IB, the College places importance on the Creativity Action Service (CAS) requirement, which means that each student is required to commit to one creative activity, one physical activity and one social service.

As a deviation to the general requirements of the IB, all students at the College are required to study Italian. The subject, "World Arts and Cultures", has been developed in the College by Prof. Henry Thomas, initially as a school based syllabus, and is now taught by IB schools in several countries.[12] The College also collaborates with the Scuola Trio di Trieste, which offers professional musical education. To foster excellence in music the College used to accept 5 students a year under a special music scholarship. The practice was recently discontinued in academic year 2009-10 in an attempt to standardize admission procedures .

The UWCAd additionally offers various physical activities program taking advantage out of the location of the College, close to the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, thus including activities such a cross-country and downhill skiing, hiking, kayaking, caving, and sailing. The creative activities program offers a wide variety of choices, ranging from drama to art, pottery, choir, and photography.

Students at UWCAd also take part in a variety of initiatives that go beyond the IB curriculum

[13]

College and facilities

The College does not have a closed campus, rather it is integrated in the village of Duino. Students live in residences that are spread over the village, the smallest houses 6 students, and the largest just over 50. The largest residence, the Foresteria is part of the complex of the Duino castle.

Other

Students at the College are eligible, after graduation, to participate in the Shelby Davis Scholarship program, which funds undergraduate study, based on need, for UWC students at over 90 universities in the United States, including most Ivy League universities.[14]

Notable alumni

References

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