United World Colleges (UWC), a leading global educational movement, is now launching its East African branch in Tanzania, opening an opportunity for talented students from the region to access a rare but highly coveted system of schooling.
UWC's mission is to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.
It comprises a network of 18 international schools on four continents, short courses and a system of volunteer-run national committees in at least 155 countries.
The beauty about UWC, and which is likely to make it popular in the region, is that it offers scholarships to exemplary bright and needy students who cannot afford to pay fees.
When applying to join, one’s ability to pay school fees is not a consideration, the school says. Students make the cut based on merit alone. Then those from humble backgrounds are given scholarships, on a 'need and merit' basis. More than 80% of current students receive financial support.
The plan to open in East Africa was perhaps pushed by Dr Musimbi Kanyoro, a Kenyan now chairing the UWC international board. She was elected to the role by the UWC International Council, the UWC movement’s highest governance body, including representatives of all UWC constituencies.
“When I look at UWC schools and colleges, I don’t simply focus on the good of the UWC schools and colleges, but I rather look at them and think what is missing in other places,” Dr Kanyoro said when she was appointed.
She added: “So for every success of a UWC school, I would like to think about those other students that do not have the same kind of opportunity. And then find the voice and the words to advocate for a larger scale of opportunity for those people that are not part of a UWC school.”
The school’s national committee system, a network of more than 3,000 dedicated volunteers who promote the UWC movement, is the one that finds, interviews and selects talented students to join.
Before opening the East African branch, UWC was only represented in Africa through its Swaziland school, called Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa.
Founded in 1962, UWC now has more than 60,000 alumni, with notable ones being Botswana President Ian Khama and ministers in many countries, among others.