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THE United World Colleges – National Committee of
Palestine
What are the United World Colleges?
The United World College movement is a group of 11 international
schools with locations throughout the world, dedicated to promoting
international understanding through education. The President of the
UWC movement is Queen Noor of Jordan. Nelson Mandela heads the UWC
International Council.
There are currently ten United World Colleges.
Each College has its own distinctive character and reflects its
geographical location and local culture. However, all share a common
mission and a commitment to the ideals of the UWC movement.
The ten United World Colleges follow one of
three models: those offering a two-year pre-university education for
students aged 16-19 based on the International Baccalaureate (IB)
curriculum; those which offer this programme within a larger College
and provide students of younger ages with the opportunity to gain a
UWC experience; and Simón Bolívar UWC of Agriculture, which offers a
three-year tertiary agricultural education and training for students
aged 18-21.
What’s a typical UWC student body like?
Students from 16-19 years of age from diverse backgrounds – and as
many as 80 countries – come to live and study together, to learn
about each other in an environment that fosters peace, cooperation
and personal challenge.
The International Baccalaureate: what is it?
A two-year, pre-university course and a highly preferred entry
qualification to the best universities around the world. Students
take 6 subjects, one from each group. Three subjects are taken at
Higher Level and three at Standard Level, enabling students to
explore some subjects in depth and some more broadly over the
two-year period.
THE UWC SCHOLARSHIP: GENERALITIES
What is the UWC Scholarship?
A scholarship, recognized by the Ministry of Education and Higher
Education, for students to pursue the International Baccalaureate (IB)
Diploma at United World Colleges (UWCs) overseas.
How many scholarships are awarded?
This year 10 scholarships will be awarded.
Where do scholars get to go?
The scholarships are tenable at the UWCs in Canada, Wales, Norway,
U.S.A, India, Hong Kong, Costa Rica and Italy. While selected
scholars will be able to state a preference, the final decision
rests with the Selection Committee.
Is there a bond to serve?
There is no bond attached to the UWC scholarship.
What does the UWC Scholarship cover?
Covers everything related to study, for example, textbooks,
accommodation, food, personal expenses and airfare.
THE UWC SCHOLARSHIP: APPLYING & SELECTION
How do I apply? What is the application
process?
Returning back to selection process in Palestine, First of all an
initial Arabic application is filled by applicants after
distributing the applications to all districts of Education in West
Bank and Gaza Strip.
Second, the National Committee of Palestine
selected a committee to score the returned back applications by five
selected individuals from NC and Ministry of Education and Higher
Education. We distribute scores on clarity , coherence, content, and
use of words of the application essay
The final application score is the average of
the five scores, Ascending the average of scores is the next step
and selecting the 20 high averages in West Bank and Gaza Strip for
interview in addition English essay exam is done by selected
applicants in the Ministry of Education and Higher Education
Premises.
The selected applicants sit for interviews and
essay exam during this interview we ask them about Politics,
Economics, Culture, and History of Palestine. Also global events are
part of the questions which the applicants respond.
We concentrate on many topics during these
interviews such as knowledge of modern Palestinian history,
knowledge of Palestinian society and culture, knowledge of
Palestinian Economy, General knowledge of World Culture, economy,
and politics.
Also Personal Qualities like confidence,
charisma, and organizational abilities and articulation are
important on the selection process.
Extracurricular activities and community
services are important to applicants especially number of activities
and wide variety of community services also number of years of
applicants’ involvement.
All the previous items gathered give us a
whole idea about who deserves to be the Palestinian nominee and our
ambassador to UWC .
The selection process is opened for both
public and private schools from all regions of Palestine
concentrating on students who are coming from privileged back
ground.
Before selected nominees join their colleges
we make a workshop for them titled by
re departure, during this workshop which is
attended by both graduates, first year and new selected students a
brain storming of experience is the goal for the those who will join
their colleges for the first time. The former students explain
challenges they faced also during the workshop they made a
demonstration to help new students to select subjects for the first
year. Amid east in Palestine shared us this workshop by making
orientation to students who will attend the UWC-USA.
Who is eligible for the UWC Scholarship?
The students selected would have just
completed their 11th Level. The scholarships are not based only on
academic performance but also on non academic activities. All
interested students who hold Palestinian Passport, and got 90% or
more on the 10th and the first semester of 11th grade are invited to
apply.
When do I start?
If successful, you will start your classes at one of the colleges in
August or September 2006.
POST-UWC PROSPECTS
When does my UWC education end?
Those selected this year will complete their course of study in May
2008.
MORE INFO?
How can I find out more about the scholarship?
You can visit www.uwc.org.
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