IMPACT OF GIVING REPORT
UWC South East Asia
2022/2023
CONTENTS
Green Heart
Zero Waste Centre
Biomimicry
17
19
20
15
OUR PLANET
03
OUR PEOPLE
05 Scholar graduates
Class of 2023
09 Scholar highlights
11 Scholarship
enrichment
12 UWCSEA Staff
Scholarship Fund
13 Scholarship
Programme overview
01
MESSAGES
01 Message from
Nick Alchin,
Head of
College
02 Message from
Sinéad Collins,
Director of
Engagement
and External
Relations
21
OUR
PROGRAMMES
23 High School
Learning Centre
25 Innovation on
Dover and East
27 Artist-in-Residence
Programme
29 Dover and East
playground spaces
41
GIVING THANKS
44 Financial overview
45 UWCSEA Donor Roll
55 Kurt Hahn Society
Why we give
Alumni Giving
Community
fundraising initiatives
33
37
39
31
OUR COMMUNITY
Message from
NICK ALCHIN
Reading the stories in this publication is both uplifting and inspiring: we
all appreciate the opportunity to celebrate the impact that our generous
community has on student life and learning at the College. Through
these stories we celebrate not only giving, but also the givers—those in
our community whose willingness to act as agents of change has been
brought to life in adventures, challenges and innovations at the College.
During my first year in my role as Head of College I was grateful for the
opportunity to sit down with many of you to understand why you give,
and why donations to our students and our mission are important to you.
Some of you shared that you yourselves were beneficiaries of scholarships,
or that you come from a family where education is deeply valued. Some
of you said that you are working in sustainability or innovation as a
profession, and want to help our future leaders gain the skills and qualities
they need to be effective in these areas, which is so important in our ever
changing world. And some of you were simply happy with the education
your kids are getting and want to give back and offer that same chance to
others. Each of you has a story of your own to tell.
Whatever your motivation, we are deeply grateful for you, your
generosity, and the difference your gifts make. These stories are just
the beginning.
Nick Alchin
Head of College
UWC South East Asia
MESSAGES | 1
Message from
SINÉAD COLLINS
All the stories in these pages have one thing in common: their origins lie
in acts of philanthropy from our community. The interests and passions of
our parents, staff and alumni have united around the College values and
ambitions, and been made manifest in College life. With that community
support, the dreams of students have taken substance.
As I think back on the 2022/2023 school year in philanthropy, in
my mind’s eye I see parents out in force on Giving Day to support
scholarships, staff giving so that students can attend our sister UWCs
around the world, and alumni gathering in droves across the globe to
share experiences and give back to the place that created memories and
helped them on their path. I see colleagues and donors sitting together
to identify how to maximise their generosity, how to ensure they have
the greatest impact and how they can inspire others to give. All of this
together creates a community where we can truly say “At UWCSEA,
everybody’s giving”.
These stories celebrate the impact of giving which allows us to do
more: more scholarships, more innovation, more peace education,
more sustainability learning, more of those learning experiences for our
students that make the College so unique. Together, we are developing
the next generation of young people determined to give back and make
a difference.
In a world that seems short on good news lately, here are tales to warm
the heart.
Sinéad Collins
Director of Engagement and External Relations
UWC South East Asia
MESSAGES | 2
The UWCSEA Scholarship Programme offers young
students with high promise and potential access to a
transformative UWC education. Scholars share their
diverse perspectives and experiences, enhancing our
commitment to our Mission to make education a force
to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a
sustainable future. Together, we help scholars attain the
skills and qualities to become future leaders and agents
of change.
OUR PEOPLE
Uniting people, nations and cultures
OUR PEOPLE | 4
OUR PEOPLE | 6
The gift of a UWCSEA Scholarship is an incredible opportunity for deserving young students to set their futures up for
success. Each year, more than 100 UWCSEA scholars are selected through a rigorous process directed by a UWC National
Committee network of more than 3,000 volunteers in over 150 countries. The network seeks to identify students who stand
to benefit from and contribute most to the UWC experience. Here we feature four powerful reflections of UWCSEA scholars
from the graduating Class of 2023 as they prepare to embark on the next chapter of their learning and their lives.
Scholar graduates Class of 2023
“The diverse communities, cultures, and economic backgrounds I’ve
lived with for the past two years have prepared me well for the next
chapter of my life.”
UWCSEA allowed me to discover my full potential as a student, a young African
woman, and as a potential world-changer. I have also influenced my peers to
act with determination to succeed, by demonstrating my own perseverance. I
competed on the Varsity A basketball team and was proud to receive the Most
Valuable Player Award. At university I will major in Biomedical Engineering and
pre-med, with a goal of helping to revolutionise Burkina Faso’s outdated medical
system. There are no words that could translate my gratitude for the opportunity
to come to UWCSEA. The scholarship has opened doors to a brighter future for me.
Matagari Ouattara ’23, Scholar from Burkina Faso
“My two years at UWCSEA have been invaluable, and I am eager to share
all that I have learned when I return to my country.”
I want to help other young people to be part of this movement and unite the
world in ways that transcend cultural barriers. I will head to the United States
for university where I will study computing and film. I also plan to develop
mentoring and support groups for young people, which I hope to expand
throughout my home country. Thank you for investing in my education and my
future. I will be eternally grateful and will always remember this generosity.
Muchas gracias!
Boris Romero ’23, Scholar from Bolivia
OUR PEOPLE | 7
“I truly believe our diverse backgrounds and interests mean we
are more than just ‘scholars’ at UWCSEA, we are part of the
UWC Mission.”
The UWC system, National Committee and connections I have made
are irreplaceable, and I would love to provide these opportunities
for others in my home country. I hope to volunteer with my UWC
National Committee in Macedonia before heading to the USA
next year on a Davis Scholarship. I will study international politics,
linguistics, and education. My dream is to work in translation or
diplomacy for an international organisation like the United Nations.
I’m immensely grateful for the support I received to study at UWCSEA.
Sofija Gribovski ’23, Scholar from Macedonia
OUR PEOPLE | 8
“My experience at UWC has profoundly impacted my life,
broadened my horizon, enhanced my intercultural competence,
and inspired me to possibly pursue a career that contributes to
social justice, human rights, and sustainable development.”
Attending a school like UWCSEA had a significant impact on my
individual, personal and academic growth. The school’s focus on
internationalism, community service, and experiential learning
fostered a sense of global citizenship, empathy, and social
responsibility. This inspired me to become an active, engaged member
of my community and to work towards creating positive change in
the world.
Leon Anhalt ’23, Scholar from Germany
The UWCSEA Scholarship Programme empowers scholars to leverage their insights and proactive mindsets to foster a
ripple effect of learning and positive change within their communities and beyond. Below we share a deeper look at the
stories and reflections of two scholars who have been supported by the UWCSEA community and the ways in which a UWC
education is helping them to create a better world for themselves and those around them.
“I hadn’t realised how much
the UWC experience changed
my mindset until I returned to
Afghanistan this past summer,”
says Hamida. “After a year at
UWC Thailand, I could see how
profoundly unfair and divergent
life could be from one part of
the world to another.”
Meet Hamida ’24
Gifts from Giving Day 2022 helped support Hamida’s scholarship to
UWC Thailand.
When in Thailand, Hamida said that she never felt scared or unsafe. She
was able to walk confidently through the streets, laughed freely and
could be herself. Back in Afghanistan, she had to adhere to a multitude of
gender-based rules enforced by the Taliban, and the issue of girls not being
allowed to attend school weighed heavily on her.
At UWC Thailand, Hamida learned about human rights, the power of
education, and the importance of kindness. She shared, “this made it
incredibly difficult for me to accept the fact that millions of other girls
and women were denied the chance for happiness simply because of their
gender.” She felt that had she not had the chance to leave Afghanistan, she
may have resigned herself to the situation there.
“With my UWC scholarship and experiences, I now believe that change is
truly possible,” she says, “and injustices should not be so easily accepted.”
Hamida has come to believe that she can make a difference, and that
difference is achievable through education.
REFUGEE SCHOLAR FROM AFGHANISTAN, UWC THAILAND
OUR PEOPLE | 9
Scholar highlights
OUR PEOPLE | 10
“The UWCSEA experience
was an eye-opening journey
that shaped my understanding
of the world. It helped
nurture essential skills of
critical thinking and values of
compassion and integrity, all
while being part of a wonderful
tight-knit community.”
Meet Wangdrak Dorji ’20
Gifts from the 2017 Annual Fund supported Wangdrak’s scholarship
from 2018 to 2020.
Wangdrak was a Bhutanese Scholar from Thimphu. Wangdrak’s journey at
UWCSEA and beyond is a wonderful example of the enduring impact of
community giving, and how it can support the growth and development of
future changemakers.
While at UWCSEA, Wangdrak explored his academic and personal
creativity, joining the Science Society, DJ Club and Rubik’s Club, as well
as discovering his love for dancing by participating in both years of the
East CultuRama festival. He also led sessions for Initiative for Peace,
and applied his love of STEM (science, technology, engineering and
mathematics) to all his academic subjects.
Wangdrak is now completing his Computer Science degree at Brown
University. He has been working with the NASA DEVELOP Team, which
uses Earth Observations data to support the Google Earth Engine platform
to strengthen the graphical user interface. Specifically, Wangdrak’s work
has focused on ensuring accurate visual representations of rice distribution
trends across Bhutan, thereby helping to provide authentic cultural
insights into NASA’s work. In this way, Wangdrak is applying his UWCSEA
learnings and innovator’s mindset, while keeping connected with his home
community.
SCHOLAR ALUMNUS FROM BHUTAN, UWCSEA
Scholarship enrichment
The Scholarship Enrichment Programme is generously supported by
annual community giving and dedicated endowment support. The fund
offers scholars the opportunity to engage in curricular and co-curricular
activities above and beyond the learning opportunities that are part of
their UWCSEA scholarships.
Students choose a variety of activities from music lessons, languages, art
and dance, as well as attendance at conferences such as Model UN and
Initiative for Peace (IfP). In keeping with the College’s focus on health
and wellness, many scholars learn a new sport for the first time, from
swimming, gymnastics, tennis and beach volleyball, to martial arts, cycling
and hockey, and also attend SEASAC tournaments and competitions.
The new learnings and experiences have a positive impact on the scholars
who participate and will stay with them beyond their years at the College.
“The Enrichment Fund will give me the opportunity to go to the
Round Square Conference in Kenya. For someone interested in
politics, multiculturalism, and development, this opportunity is
crucial. It will enrich me as a person, and I would not be able to
attend the conference if it weren’t for this funding opportunity.”
Henrique ’24, Scholar from Brazil
“It is an amazing opportunity to be able to practise and test my
ability, I have never had this opportunity before. My goal is to
reach the swim team level in the future.”
Joel ’24, Scholar from Paraguay
“Thank you for paying for my Instrumental Teaching Programme
over the last year. I am enjoying the new experience of learning
a new instrument. I am so grateful for the enrichment fund. I
will be graduating soon and this is one of the many skills I’ll be
grateful for by the Scholarship Programme.”
Anyalisa Waneloba ’23, Scholar from Uganda
OUR PEOPLE | 11
OUR PEOPLE | 12
UWCSEA
Staff Scholarship Fund
For the last 20 years, dedicated UWCSEA staff have annually supported the
Staff Scholarship Fund through regular payroll contributions. Through this
initiative, up to four scholars annually are given access to a UWC education
at UWC Mahindra College in India and Waterford Kamhlaba UWC in
Southern Africa.
The UWCSEA Staff Scholarship fund is one of the many ways to support
scholarships, and one of the ways staff demonstrate connection to our global
community, the UWC movement, and our Mission. Meet Simon Bignell,
High School Head of Grade, Dover Campus and Andrea McDonald, Middle
School Teacher, East Campus. Simon and Andrea are long-serving UWCSEA
teaching staff and supporters of the Scholarship Fund, and members of the
1971 Giving Society. Here they share their reflections on why they give:
Part of what makes UWC special is its Mission to unite different
cultures. In our roles as teachers and boarding parents we have
been fortunate to get to know many scholarship students. For
more than 15 years between us, we have come to know their
stories, to help guide them, and to celebrate their many successes.
The scholars contribute to so many facets to our campuses;
enriching our diverse culture, engaging in service and activities,
and just being incredible humans. They have inspired us to do our
part, as staff members, to support the Scholarship Programme.
We have both been very fortunate to live and teach in many
places around the world. The UWCSEA Scholarship Programme
helps bring the world a bit closer in a small space. We believe
that through learning about and embracing other cultures, we
can achieve a more understanding, peaceful society—so that’s
why the Scholarship Programme is so integral to the Mission
and to all of our lives.
Scholarship Programme overview
53
continuing
scholars
47
new
scholars
57
Dover
43
East
New gifts and pledges
UWC Maastricht (Grade 12)
scholars at
other UWC’s
2 UWC Dilijan (Grade 12)
UWC Adriatic: UWCSEA Refugee
Scholarship Initiative (Grade 12)
Waterford Kamhlaba UWC: UWCSEA
Staff Scholarship Fund (Grade 11 and 12)
UWC Mahindra: UWCSEA Staff
Scholarship Fund (Grade 11 and 12)
1 UWC Thailand (Grade 11)
Current enrolment
100
scholars
at UWCSEA
Grade 10
Grade 9
Grade 11
47
Grade 12
46
2 Grade 8
Grade breakdown
109
scholars receiving a UWC
education thanks to support
from the UWCSEA community
46
Scholars graduating
in 2023 from
UWCSEA
OUR PEOPLE | 13
Countries per region
21 Europe | 16 Africa | 7 Asia | 8 South America | 9 North and Central America
• Argentina • Austria • Bahamas • Belarus • Benin • Bolivia • Botswana • Brazil • Bulgaria • Burkina Faso • Cambodia • Chile • Colombia • Costa Rica
• Cote D’Ivoire • Denmark • Dominican Republic • Ecuador • El Salvador • Estonia • Eswatini • Georgia • Germany • Greece • Guatemala • Haiti
• Honduras • Hungary • Indonesia • Ireland • Italy • Jamaica • Kenya • Lithuania • Macedonia • Madagascar • Malawi • Malaysia • Mexico • Myanmar
• Namibia • Paraguay • Philippines • Poland • Portugal • Senegal • Serbia • Sierra Leone • Slovenia • South Africa • Spain • Tanzania • Thailand • Togo
• Trinidad and Tobago • Turkey • Uganda • Ukraine • Uruguay • Vietnam • Zambia
17
Asia
27
Africa
13
North and Central
America
15
South America
28
Europe
61 countries across the world are represented by UWCSEA scholars
OUR PEOPLE | 14
OUR PLANET | 16
Sustainability is a cornerstone of the UWC Mission.
Community support allows us to develop outdoor
education spaces, deepen immersive learning experiences
and activate programmes that help students understand
and respond to the most pressing challenges facing
the planet.
OUR PLANET
Cultivating a sustainability ethos
The Green Heart is a multi-purpose outdoor learning space that now
permanently houses Dover’s Rainforest Restoration nursery. Home to
more than 200 indigenous and endangered plant species, the move to the
Green Heart has spurred new activity and community engagement.
The Facilities team created a rainwater capture system in the space to
ensure sustainable and controlled watering for the nursery. Rainforest
Restoration students worked with NParks and the National University of
Singapore to apply professional learning in reforestation techniques, such
as nursery management and species tracking. The UWCSEA Rainforest
nursery has also been further integrated with NParks, allowing access to
invaluable information on the most effective techniques to successfully
cultivate seedlings and saplings for sensitive biodiversity zones.
The Green Heart was always intended for education and community
outreach. The integration of the Rainforest Restoration programme with
this important outdoor learning space is enriching hands on learning
while contributing to biodiversity efforts on campus, and beyond.
Green Heart
OUR PLANET | 18
“As we roll out the new Grade
9 and 10 courses, there is more
scope for ambitious teaching
and learning. The nursery at
the Green Heart provides
both a location and cause that
educators can use to create
real-world learning experiences
for students facing relevant
problems in our community.”
Judson Tomlin, Teacher of Biology
and Rainforest Restoration
Project, UWCSEA Dover
OUR PLANET | 19
Zero Waste Centre
Support from the UWCSEA community helped the East Sustainability
Team explore an innovative, inclusive, and creative approach to tackle the
challenge of reconceptualising the Zero Waste Centre. Originally designed
as an environmental classroom for community recycling and reuse, the
centre had unfortunately become too much of a collection spot for
unwanted items.
Project X, a team of Singapore-based design thinking facilitators, were
brought in to lead a multi-day creative design and research workshop,
where students, parents, educators, facilities and sustainability staff
came together to shape a new vision and strategic plan for the centre.
Committed to finding better solutions as environmental stewards of
the campus’ waste management practices, students especially were
challenged to apply their classroom research skills, to translate user
experiences into impactful design solutions.
“When it comes to sustainability and zero waste at East Campus,
it was made clear from the start that the solution would require
a hands-on approach.”
Trisha, Grade 10 student, East Campus
“Design thinking was useful because it helped shift the focus
from purely technical or scientific solutions to solutions that are
more human-centred and user-friendly. I loved the connections
I made with other teachers, peers, parents, and staff in our
collective effort to make our dreams for the Zero Waste Centre
come true.”
Graciella, Grade 10 student, East Campus
Biomimicry
OUR PLANET | 20
Community support has driven new programming at the intersection
of sustainability and innovation. For example, this year, 270 Grade 7
students were given the opportunity to participate in UWCSEA Mimic
Makers, a four-day interdisciplinary workshop on Dover Campus.
Led by experts from the Biomimicry Institute and B+H Architects,
students were guided on how to employ nature-inspired solutions to
real-world problems. Collaborating in teams, students crafted biomimetic
design solutions, such as anti-slip paving tiles inspired by frogs, and
an innovative water filtration system inspired by Atlantic menhaden
and oysters.
Immersive experiences like these impart a profound lesson about how the
world around us can actually help us to protect it.
“Mimic Makers combines urgency with agency in the hope of
actioning change through a design-oriented collaboration with
science and nature.”
Grade 7 Mimic Makers participant, Dover Campus
“I learned that nature has various elements that can be mimicked
in order to improve our world for greater sustainability.”
Grade 7 Mimic Makers participant, Dover Campus
The five winning teams entered their designs into Singapore’s prestigious
Biomimicry Institute’s Youth Design Challenge. Biomimicry continues
as an innovative educational programme, empowering students with
creative, systems thinking skills while nurturing their commitment to
environmental stewardship.
OUR PROGRAMMES | 22
Community generosity has a tremendous impact on
our ability to weave innovation into our teaching and
learning programmes at UWCSEA in a variety of ways.
Through immersive student-led projects, music and
the arts, innovative play and learning spaces and more,
our students are challenged to stretch and grow, and
develop innovator mindsets that will equip them well for
the future.
OUR
PROGRAMMES
Immersing students in innovation
and creativity