The Dilijan National park in Tavush region is very well known not only for its indescribable beauty of nature but also for UWC Dilijan College.
UWC Dilijan is the 14th member of United World Colleges. Here, a group of young and creative students works hard to create a peaceful and sustainable future for the world.
Nowadays there are seventeen UWC schools and colleges which are represented in nearly 150 countries. The first college was UWC Atlantic College opened in 1962. The goal was to bring together experienced people in the political conflict of the Cold War and to help them to spread peace in the world.
The founders were sure by uniting these people they would unite nations, cultures by achieving peace and a sustainable future. They were educating people to promote, a sense of idealism,international and intercultural understanding, personal challenge, personal and mutual responsibility and respect.
Armenia became the part of UWC movement on 11 October 2014 and was the first in the area of Caucasus. UWC Dilijan is the first international boarding school in Armenia. The founders of the college are co-founders of RVVZ Family Foundation Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend.
The school offers IB diploma year 1 and 2 (the 11th and 12th grades of the high school) which is accepted by the most leading universities worldwide. IB (international baccalaureate) diploma is an assessed programme for students aged 16 to 19.
In 2014 96 students from 48 nations got admitted to UWC Dilijan. In 2017 213 students from 82 countries became the part of the UWC Dilijan family. The college has a faculty of 42 instructors from 16 countries and nearly 330 donors all over the world. Some of the first graduates of the college continued their education in well-known universities of the world. Other graduates took a gap year to do volunteering job worldwide.
CAS (creativity, activity, service) is an essential part of UWC colleges. This programme means that students work hard to contribute to their development as an individual and a team player. They do different volunteering job in Dilijan city to have a good personal, local and global impact.
In order to achieve sustainable excellence, there are seven core values in the university. These values are:
- academic excellence
- faculty dedication
- personal integrity
- cultural diversity
- social responsibility
- responsible architecture
- environmental stewardship
The campus of the college is designed in such a way to inspire students to learn and enjoy the process of learning. There are many areas where students can do group works, homework or help each other and share knowledge. Students can always use the latest technology of the college to learn more and develop themselves.
UWC Dilijan campus includes a medical center, performing arts center and also sports complex. In the sports complex, there is a gymnasium, swimming pool, fitness center.
The medical center is well-equipped to provide high-quality health care for students.
The college has many playing fields such as football pitch, tennis courts, squash courts, volleyball pitch. The library is equipped in such a way to create a comfortable atmosphere for students to focus on their classes. Students and staff can use thirteen best online databases and approximately 14000 titles in 41 languages in the Main Hall of the library.
In the UWC Dilijan, there is a rich Outdoor programme for the students. They can explore the beautiful nature of Armenia, go hiking, camping and test their abilities.
The college provides a multi-tiered pastoral system to be sure that the students are in a good psychological and emotional state. Toon parents (house parents), pastoral tutors and also peer listeners are always ready to talk with students. They help them to solve difficulties and to overcome the challenges of living in the cross-cultural community. Also, individual and group counseling, group meditations are used to improve the mental well-being of the students.
Every Monday after classes there is a college briefing meeting where the community of the college gathers together. During these meetings, they discuss essential information, news, and ideas together.
From Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. UWC Dilijan is open for everyone to visit and have a 40-minute lasting tour inside the campus. UWCD students led these tours. They share their experience and tell about the life of the students of the college. During this tour, you will have an opportunity to walk around in the campus area. You will visit the academic premises, labs, and classrooms where students study.
UWC Dilijan is “an educational hub for socially and internationally minded citizens of tomorrow.”
Published August 23, 2018
Article by Narine Kharatyan
