Education without boundaries

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">The educationist Kurt Hahn originated the idea of The United World Colleges (UWCs) in the 1950s and the first United World College - Atlantic College opened in Wales in 1962. Now, there are 10 United World Colleges in Canada, Hong Kong, Italy, India, Norway, Singapore, Swaziland, the UK, the US and Venezuela.Through international education, experience and community service, UWCs aim to enable young people to become responsible citizens, politically and environmentally aware and committed to the ideals of peace and justice, understanding and cooperation and implement these ideals through action and personal example. Even though the UWCs share this common mission, each has its own distinctive character reflecting its geographical location and local culture.<br /><br />The 10 UWCs follow one of three models: a two-year, pre-university education for students aged 16-19, based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum; to offer this programme within a larger college and provide younger students with the opportunity to gain a UWC experience and the third is the Simon Bolivar UWC of Agriculture, Venezuela, which offers a three-year tertiary agricultural education and training for students aged 18-21.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Entry requirements</span><br /><br />Entry to UWCs is through a competitive selection. Applications for September entry to the UWCs in Canada, Hong Kong, Italy, Mahindra United World College of India (MUWCI), Village Khubavali, Paud, Taluka Mulshi, District Pune 412108, www.muwci.net, Norway, Singapore, Swaziland, the UK, the US and Venezuela are invited, for a two-year International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, from persons of Indian origin, aged 15 years to 17 years, at the time of application, studying in either Class X or Class XI. For students of Indian nationality, entry is made through the UWC committee based in Mumbai and not directly to the college. You must apply to The United World College Committee (India) at Mahindra Towers, Ground Floor, Worli, Mumbai-400018 (022-24974625) (www.uwccommindia.net). The notification for September entry usually appears a year in advance. The application forms are available from October/ November to January. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Selection</span><br /><br />The selection to UWCs is on the basis of merit. All selection processes include written applications and personal interviews. Other elements may include a piece of written work, an examination, group discussions, teamwork exercises, an excursion or camp and community service projects. The selection committee looks for open-minded candidates, who can live and study for two years in an intensive multi-cultural environment. The students can be selected for scholarship support regardless of their financial means. The number of places available to a national committee in any year depends on the allocation by each college and the scholarship funds available.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">IB and UWC in India</span><br /><br />The IB Diploma has been recognised as the equivalent of the 10+2 system of education by the Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi. In the IB course, all students study a range of six subjects, three at the higher and three at the subsidiary level. All candidates must study two languages - their best language or mother tongue and a second or a foreign language. In addition, they study mathematics, one science and one humanities subject. For their sixth subject, the students have a free choice including art or design, music, film studies, among others. In addition, all students take a course in the ‘theory of knowledge'' designed to lead the student to reflect on the nature of the disciplines studied; they write an extended essay, which is a research project and are involved in co-curricular activities. <br /><br />The IB and UWC life is considered excellent preparation for university life abroad, both academically and socially. However, the IB is not a substitute for any standardised university entrance test. The UWC students seeking admission to the US universities will require the SAT-1. Some of the universities may require the SAT-2 test in individual subjects. The IB subject preparation is usually good enough preparation for many of the SAT-2 subject tests. Most universities in the US, Canada and Europe require TOEFL scores. Like all UWCs, the MUWCI graduates now have special, designated scholarships at several excellent colleges and universities, in a few countries. <br /><br />Typically, the MUWCI students are able to get financial aid awards that cover about 60 per cent to 95 per cent of the total costs of attending the universities in question. The IB results are declared in early July, but most Indian university admissions are over by end-June, so getting admission to an Indian university after the IB is not easy. www.uwc.org</div> </div>