The United World Colleges (UWCs)-Philippines is searching for top-caliber fourth-year high-school students interested in pursuing a two-year international baccalaureate course abroad. Applicants must be Filipino high school students graduating in the top 10 percent of their graduating class before August 2009. Selected candidates will be eligible to apply for a full or partial scholarship to UWCs in Wales (UK), Italy, Hong Kong or Costa Rica.
In the past, Filipino scholars have been sent to UWCs in Canada, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Italy, US, Wales and Venezuela. There are currently seven Filipino scholars in UWCs.
Interested students and their parents should visit www.ph.uwc.org to learn more about the program and scholarships and to download application forms. They may also contact Gillian Virata at info@ph.uwc.org or fax 635-0294 to request forms by e-mail or fax and for more information. The deadline for submission of application forms is March 6, 2009, 5 p.m.
The UWC, co-chaired by Nelson Mandela and Queen Noor, is the only global educational movement that brings together students aged 16 to 19 from all over the world at the pre-university level. Students are selected based on merit regardless of race, sex or creed and live together in an environment designed to foster international understanding, peace, and justice. The two-year International Baccalaureate program serves as the educational framework; but of equal importance are the community service programs that allow teenagers to work with one another. The selection process looks for candidates with open minds and the personal qualities that will enable them to live and study for two years in an intensive multicultural environment. UWC-Philippines is chaired by Cesar Virata and the selection committee includes other UWC alumni and parents.