Yerevan/Mediamax/. The Board of Directors of the United World Colleges (UWC International) confirmed that Dilijan International School (DIS) has been granted a final approval to become a UWC school under the name of UWC Dilijan.

The admission process will start on November 1 via UWC National Committees in 140 countries.

“Dilijan International School of Armenia is pleased to announce that it became UWC Dilijan. Everyone who has worked to achieve this milestone in the development of the school is delighted by this outcome, and especially to be joining an organization which sees education in more than academic terms, and places service and ethical leadership at the heart of its values. Students wishing to join the school in September, 2014 can now apply through the UWC national committee process, details of which are available on www.uwc.org. UWC Dilijan intends to admit over 90 students from over 45 countries in September, 2014", said John Puddefoot, the Head of DIS.

John Puddefoot, the Founding Head of the Aga Khan Academy in Hyderabad, India and former Deputy Head of Eton College, UK, will take up his role in early 2014.

“We are really excited about the addition of UWC Dilijan to the UWC movement. It has been fascinating to get to know the project, as well as the team behind it, as the proposal has passed through UWC’s approvals process. Armenia’s location at the interface of east and west and its history make it an ideal location for a UWC college, and the role the future college will play in the regeneration of Dilijan will also give it a really distinctive character and place in UWC”, said Keith Clark, Executive Director, UWC International Office.

“Selection for UWC admissions is held on a solely competitive basis and the priority is given to talented and socially active young people no matter where they are from. This selection system gives candidates equal opportunities irrespective of their race, religion, language and financial status and allows bringing together people who think outside the box,  original, creative and bright individuals of various cultural belongings”, said Veronika Zonabend, co-founder of the project and Head of DIS Board of Trustees.

European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Androulla Vassiliou recently wished the best of success to DIS noting that “one of the missions of the UWC is to support international and intercultural understanding, which are at the core of EU education policy”.

Dilijan International School is a large-scale philanthropic initiative which will put Armenia on the world educational map. DIS will open its doors in September 2014. By 2023 the school will host 650 students from at least 60 countries. 90% of gifted students will receive full  scholarships granted by the DIS benefactors.