UWCSEA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME
Graduating Scholars 2025/2026
Isaac Brice Saba ’26
Aveli Heletuli ’26
Sara Ismayilova ’26
Rubdary Valentina Rojas Linarez ’26
Ronald Vee Jen Pang ’26
Meet some of our scholars
On behalf of the entire UWCSEA community, I want to
express my sincerest gratitude for your ongoing generosity
towards the UWCSEA Scholarship Programme. Because of
your commitment, exceptional students from across the
globe have the opportunity to experience a transformative
UWC education. Your support is empowering driven young
leaders who not only have the skills and qualities to thrive
personally and professionally, but are deeply committed to
making a positive impact on the world.
The graduating scholars of the Class of 2026 have undergone
tremendous growth as learners and global citizens. Just as
importantly, they have enriched life and learning on campus
immensely by sharing their unique perspectives and lived
experiences. They have stretched themselves academically
while engaging in activities that challenged themselves and
their peers. Whether championing the UWC mission through
Global Concerns, participating in the Initiative for Peace
or fostering connections and celebrating diversity through
CultuRama and UN Night, they have built a foundation of
empathy and understanding that will endure long after they
leave the College.
This year’s graduates have navigated the transition to a new
environment, adapting to life far from the familiar comforts
and traditions of their home countries. Witnessing them build
confidence and discover their authentic voices has been a true
privilege. We look forward to following their journeys and
celebrating the great things they will accomplish as alumni,
confident that they will continue to make their own unique
marks on the world.
As you read the stories of the six scholars featured in this
year’s report, I hope you feel inspired by their reflections.
They offer a powerful glimpse into the journeys of the 47 who
proudly make up the Scholar Class of 2026.
Thank you once again for your unwavering support, and for
joining us in wishing our newest graduates the very best in
their next chapter.
Sinéad Collins, Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer
“There is more to us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our
lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.”– Kurt Hahn
Nicolás Zamora Cordón ’26
Graduating Scholars 2025/2026 | 3
Beyond the Textbook: Finding Strength in Vulnerability and Connection
Sara Ismayilova ’26
Scholar from Azerbaijan
UWCSEA was the catalyst, turning my curiosity into a commitment to bridge scientific innovation
with equitable healthcare access back home.
On my first day in the lab, I realised that community is more valuable than any textbook. My family taught me that if you’re the
smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. Moving from a traditional academic system to one that demands critical
thinking was daunting. This meant catching up on complex concepts while adapting to a new language - a challenge I overcame by
finding the courage to be vulnerable. Admitting I was lost did not make me weak; it allowed me to find strength in collaboration,
transforming me from a shy student into a confident communicator who views science as a process of constant problem-solving.
My learning journey was sparked by my Biology Internal Assessment on yeast respiration and a BioTech competition on stem cells.
These experiences shifted my goal from a vague interest in medicine to a specific commitment to Biomedical research. UWCSEA was
the catalyst, showing me how to bridge scientific innovation with equitable healthcare access.
Beyond the lab, I embraced every opportunity to lead and grow. I organised a Lighthouse trip for my peers and felt the thrill of
performing at SEASAC Music, even singing my favourite Azerbaijani song at a grade-wide assembly. I found my voice as a leader
through the Sustainability Committee, organising beach clean-ups, and initiating a collaboration with the Gili Eco Trust Global Concern.
My cultural identity flourished here too; with support from my houseparents, I celebrated Novruz and shared my heritage with the
community. Whether I was navigating Dragon Scales during Regional Week, participating in the Science Fair, or being invited to the
Future Learning Design podcast and G10 Subject Fair, I felt my potential being recognised.
Service became my core. I founded UniTor.Az to bridge the university guidance gap for rural students in Azerbaijan. What started as a
social media platform for 20 students in Gedebey grew into a platform with 2,000+ followers and 20+ volunteers. This taught me that
sustainable change requires building trust and activating agency. One example was a student from the group I worked with, who found
passion in the Tourism major after realising that the combinations of their subjects (English Language and History) would allow them
to not only become an English Teacher, but a guide for the currently rising tourism in Azerbaijan. I now plan to scale this model in more
rural areas while integrating parental support. Whether mentoring a fellow scholar from Tanzania in the “Bersama” Choir or fundraising
for education in Cambodia, I saw how personal growth fuels global contribution.
My growth was nurtured by a massive support network. I am deeply grateful to the UAC (University Advising Centre) team and the High
School Office. In the boarding house, houseparents like Gaya, Regina, James, and Helena B provided a safe space for everything. My
teachers, including Mr. Chavez, Mr. Walton, Ms. Brooke, and Mr. Lodemel, pushed me towards the “Systems Transformation: Leadership
for Change” IB course and helped me fall in love with Biology and Chemistry.
I found friends everywhere, but one of the most meaningful connections was with the lady at the salad bar. Our daily chats evolved
from “Hello” to “How are exams going, my darling? Take some rest.” She became a source of comfort, reminding me that even the
smallest interactions create change by spreading positive energy.
Looking ahead, I am thrilled to be attending the University of Florida for a Biological Sciences course. I plan to pursue my deep interest
in the sciences and hope to work in the medical field in the future. Words cannot describe my gratitude for these experiences, from
company visits to Google and Novartis, joining the Youth Assembly, and interning at Changi General Hospital to shadow the Head of
the Renal Department. You saw potential in me when my future felt uncertain.
Through your support, I have come to believe in myself. Çox sağ olun!
4 | Graduating Scholars 2025/2026
Engineer with a Bias Toward Action
Isaac Brice Saba ’26
Scholar from Burkina Faso
I am a custodian of a rare opportunity, and my goal is to pay it forward so the
next generation doesn’t have to leave home to find a world-class education.
My experience at UWCSEA has impacted both how I think and how I act. Coming here, I expected
to meet people with similar perspectives, but what was more interesting was to interact with
those who had different perspectives from mine. Every new perspective enriched my mind in
ways I never anticipated. My involvement in diverse school activities helped me cultivate the well-
rounded character essential for thriving. My service with Boarding Buddies and spending time with
neurodivergent primary schoolers were particularly humbling. It taught me that compassion and
patience are valuable skills in today’s society.
The most stimulating aspect of my time here was my interactions with peers and teachers. Beyond
academics, I learned about people and their world. I remember all the conversations I had with the
boarding staff about their lives and careers. Through that, I also discovered how important, and
sometimes ignored, diversity is.
The greatest challenge, however, was internal. Growing up, I was taught that respect meant listening to
adults without questioning them. When I arrived, I was surprised to see students asking deep, personal
questions with such confidence. Initially, my fear of being ‘impolite’ made me avoid conversations with
people. I overcame this awkwardness by observing how people interact with each other and trying to
replicate their follow-up questions. Joining school performances like West Side Story and the Dance
Show helped me finally break through. Conversing with people who shared the same passion as I did,
made it easier to engage in conversations and create connections.
Academically, my favourite classes are Physics and Mathematics. Investigating the relationship
between the efficiency of a DC motor and the load mass in my Physics IA introduced me to the
structured process of scientific inquiry. I also noticed the importance of collaboration and teachers’
feedback in successful scientific research. I enjoy that we can distill complicated notions into a simple
formula. I take this opportunity to thank my teachers for their unique teaching methods, which made
me grasp notions quickly and effectively.
These lessons are the tools I will take to Hong Kong University to study Mechanical Engineering with
a focus on Aerospace Engineering. Although my academic journey had a weak start, I’m glad that I
proved to myself that hard work and a focus on the destination truly pay off.
I participated in as many activities as I could. Among them were UN Night, Dance Show, West Side
Story (WSS), Swimming lessons, Basketball, and a Nelson Mandela Boarding House Representative.
Serving as a Nelson Mandela House Representative, I organised events like the African Regional Week
celebrations, which taught me leadership skills. Similarly, my Green Camp Bali project allowed me
to combine outdoor adventure with environmental sustainability and cultural learning. As a Project
Liaison Coordinator, I engaged in mangrove planting and seaweed farming, which allowed me to
directly support local ecosystems.
As I look toward the future, I feel like a custodian of a rare opportunity. I am committed to paying this
gift forward by working with my National Committee to mentor students in rural areas of Burkina Faso
and eventually returning home to build up our STEM programmes. I want to show the next generation
they don’t have to leave home to find a world-class education. I also plan to keep nurturing my interest
in dance and take courses in education to bring my knowledge back to others in my community.
Words cannot describe how big a heart you all have, you who supported my scholarship. You believed
in us and brought us together to make the world better. You instilled in us the duty and the desire to
give back to our communities wherever we are, through compassion and kindness.
And for that, merci infiniment!
Graduating Scholars 2025/2026 | 5
Perspective Meets Opportunity: Paying It Forward Back Home
Aveli Heletuli ’26
Scholar from Scholar from Estonia
I now realise just how much agency we have over our lives, making this a lesson more valuable than
gold or diamonds.
The most important lesson I will take with me is a deeper
understanding of privilege. Coming from a small community
in Northern Europe, I viewed free education and healthcare as
basic rights. In my world, striving to stand out was uncommon; it
could even create social friction in a place where everyone is so
closely connected.
At UWCSEA, I met students from every possible background,
from those for whom immense success is the baseline, as they
possess fantastic teachers, opportunities, and exposure from an
early age, to those who have to fight for the chance to access
higher education, and everyone in between and beyond. Seeing
how we all carry our unique privileges and disadvantages has
shown me how much our environment shapes us. It has changed
my perspective on who I am, and more importantly, who I
can become.
UWCSEA has truly widened my worldview. Coming from a small
countryside area where my family has lived for generations,
this place made me realise just how large the world is. It never
occurred to me before that one could choose universities or
where one ends up living. These things seemed set in stone. I
now realise just how much agency we have over our lives. This
is a rare understanding in the wider world, making this a lesson
more valuable than gold or diamonds.
At UWCSEA, I explored Mathematics and Physics to a degree
I could never have before. I developed the ability to solve
problems independently and apply knowledge to real world
issues. This has given me the confidence and the perspective
to pursue a future in these fields and to use the most advanced
tools accessible to solve problems.
The Initiative for Peace and the peacebuilders programme
exposed me to peace education, deeply changing my perspective
on peace and violence. This exposure has opened many doors in
education that I did not know existed. I have previously worked
as a youth representative, attempting to solve issues related
to children’s rights, and education has always emerged as the
central pillar that shapes our society. Initially, I never felt quite
right imagining myself in the field. Having now encountered
peace education, I feel a crucial piece has been put into place.
Finally, “Systems Transformation: Leadership for Change” taught
me how to innovate and solve problems in a human-centred
manner. Being part of this new course didn’t just teach me
valuable lessons about teamwork and creating change; it also
exposed me to the complexities of driving innovation. Because
it was a pilot, I had to be more proactive and adaptable in how
I approached my learning. This experience showed me just how
imperfect the initial stages of progress often are.
One of my closest friends has been my roommate from
Mozambique. Without UWC, I would never have met her. We
come from very different worlds, one defined by vibrant coastal
life and the other by quiet pine forests. Coming to terms with
how differently we view the world has taught me immensely
about human connection. Through our friendship, I learned how
unconscious prejudices shape us and how much we grow by
valuing our diverse life experiences.
After graduating, I’m heading home to Estonia. I’ve always
loved my country, and after two years of hearing others call
it a “fairytale,” I want to help keep it that way. By returning, I
hope the perspective I’ve gained can bring new opportunities
to my community, especially as we face an ageing population
and widening educational inequality. I’m already working on a
fundraising project with my National Committee to apply the
skills and purpose I found here to help future generations.
I am grateful for the life-changing experience UWCSEA has given
me. I am sure this phrase is overused, but this truly has meant
the world to me, and my course of life will forever be influenced
by the experiences I have had here.
As we say in Estonian: “Mida külvad, seda lõikad – what you sow
is what you reap.”
6 | Graduating Scholars 2025/2026
Chasing Impact Over Conventional Success
Ronald Vee Jen Pang ’26
Scholar from Malaysia
UWCSEA gave me a different understanding of how to live life, and skills like critical thinking,
mature communication, and intercultural leadership.
UWCSEA pushed me to heights I never imagined; offering ample
scope to hone my skills through a rigorous curriculum and
competitive activities. Exposure to diverse perspectives taught
me that I may not always be right, transforming how I view
the world. While showcasing the heights of human potential,
my two years here also grounded me, highlighting neglected
essentials like mental health and personal connections.
Consequently, my goals shifted from chasing a financially
lucrative career to seeking deep satisfaction by helping others in
tangible ways.
I learned to prioritise what motivates me over what society
deems desirable, defining my own success rather than sticking
to conventional methods. UWCSEA gave me a different
understanding of how to live life, and skills like critical thinking,
mature communication, and intercultural leadership.
Project Week in Kathmandu, Nepal, was especially stimulating as
part of my service trip. During our trip, I served as a mentor in the
Shree Mangal Dvip (SMD) School and the Child Workers in Nepal
(CWIN) Child Transit Centre. The innocence of the Himalayan
children and the warm welcome is something I will never forget.
I found great joy in being able to teach English to Nepali children.
Conducting chemistry experiments that sparked the curiosity of
primary school children was another memorable event during
the trip. Before Project Week, I had joined the Child Workers
in Nepal (CWIN) Global Concern to try something that I had
never done before. It turned out to be the best choice of my life,
as I found great satisfaction in doing community service work
and fundraising.
I found navigating socioeconomic disparity very hard. While
UWCSEA does a fantastic job of supporting us, I felt many
moments of discomfort unexpectedly; such as when classmates
spoke of things that were seen as luxurious to myself, as an
everyday, unremarkable occurrence to them. It took me a
while to get through this struggle, but now I think we are born
with different fates, and we ought to be grateful for how far
we’ve come.
I participated in the Big Heart Student Care Centre at Qifa
Primary School. I still remember the Wednesday afternoons
we got on a bus to Clementi, where a batch of 30 kids were
waiting to start sports and games sessions. Academics were the
main priority, so the impact we had on them was visible, since
they rarely had the opportunity to run around and be kids. It
was especially heartwarming when some of the children still
recognised me after months, calling me “Ronald McDonald”
loudly from across the basketball court.
I am confident I significantly impacted the Global Concerns (GC)
programme. Prior to my participation, tickets for events like
the Talent Show, Jazz for Nepal, and UN Night were manually
serialised. I developed an automated method using Photoshop
and Google Sheets, saving many GCs hours of valuable time
that could be otherwise spent on event planning and execution.
I was the financial manager and event emcee for the annual Jazz
for Nepal fundraising concert held during the end term, peak of
Grade 12.
Inspired by UWCSEA’s University Advising Centre, I hosted
a pilot session in my hometown of Ipoh to raise awareness
about studying abroad. Before UWC, I had no concept of social
work, but this exposure sparked my lifelong vision to improve
educational access. I am proud to be attending Bowdoin College,
a liberal arts school dedicated to the common good, which
perfectly aligns with my passion for public service. My dream
is to establish a programme bringing Bowdoin students on
teaching fellowships to Malaysian public schools, collaborating
with the Ministry of Education to inspire future students.
These two years have been transformative, revolutionary, and
genuinely saved my future.
感谢您，Terima Kasih!
Graduating Scholars 2025/2026 | 7
Determined to change lives through healthcare access
Rubdary Valentina Rojas Linarez ’26
Scholar from Venezuela
Through my classes and interactions with people from different
backgrounds, I learned to think critically about global problems and how
knowledge can be used to create real change.
My name is Rubdary Rojas, and I am a graduating scholar from Venezuela. I was born and raised
in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, and I was selected to study abroad through my National Committee.
When I started my journey at UWCSEA, I was not sure about what I wanted to do in the future or
what I wanted to take from this experience. What I did know was that I wanted to meet people from
different backgrounds and learn from them. Talking with other students helped me find direction
and understand myself better.
I came to UWCSEA because of my curiosity, and now I want to pursue Biomedical Engineering to
help improve access to healthcare for underserved communities. I discovered this interest through
my Chemistry classes. Even though my educational background was not strong, my teachers helped
me see how science connects directly to our daily lives. Beyond academics, learning alongside
students from diverse cultures taught me the value of empathy and care.
I studied Mathematics Analysis and Approaches (HL), Chemistry (HL), Computer Science (HL),
English B (HL), Psychology (SL), and Spanish A: Literature (SL); and my predicted grades are 44/45.
The difficulty was not only the language I had to study in, but also the content itself. Many times, I
found myself not understanding topics because I was expected to know material from grades 9 or
10 that my previous school had not covered.
Beyond the classroom, I participated in different extracurricular activities such as volleyball,
softball, cheerleading and fitness. Through these activities, I learned the importance of teamwork,
collaboration, and resilience. I joined the TALK programme to build my communication skills,
challenged myself physically through CultuRama dance, and tried the drums as a new way to
express myself. For service, I participated in LEGO Robotics, where I helped children develop
logical and mathematical thinking by teaching them basic robotics and programming. This
experience taught me patience, responsibility, and the importance of making learning enjoyable
for younger students.
One of my most meaningful moments was presenting a perspective with another Venezuelan
student on the complex situation in Venezuela to the school community. I realised that people
can sometimes hold extreme opinions. However, seeing my peers listen with curiosity and respect
helped them see Venezuela not as an abstract example of corruption and inflation, but as a country
made up of real people and lived experiences.
I am excited to begin my next chapter at NYU Abu Dhabi, where I plan to study Biomedical
Engineering. My ultimate goal is to live the UWC mission through action by designing practical,
affordable medical tools for low-resource environments like the ones I grew up with in Venezuela.
I will continue to live the UWC mission by staying open to different cultures and perspectives. My
time at UWCSEA showed me that meaningful change starts with listening, communication, and
understanding people beyond stereotypes. By engaging with diverse communities, I want to keep
questioning my own assumptions and learning from others, just as I did at UWCSEA.
I also want to live the mission through action, especially through STEM and service. My goal is
to use my education to support access to education, healthcare, and economic development in
underserved communities. Coming from Venezuela, I have seen how a lack of resources affects
people’s lives, and this motivates me to create practical and affordable solutions.
Gracias!
8 | Graduating Scholars 2025/2026
From Guatemala to UWCSEA, My Voice Matters
Nicolás Zamora Cordón ’26
Scholar from Guatemala
For me, the UWC movement means to make the world a better place, starting within ourselves by
changing prejudices and being a more informed person.
I arrived from Villa Nueva, Guatemala as a scholar selected by the National Committee in August 2024. Being here for almost
two years has really shaped me more than I thought it would have. I have discovered many things about myself and others.
When I first came to UWCSEA, I thought I had a good background for classes like Mathematics and Physics. I soon discovered
that the IB programme demanded a much higher level of conceptual understanding than I previously possessed. Another
challenging subject was Economics, as I entered the course with absolutely no background in the subject. Navigating that
learning curve was challenging, but my love for the subjects motivated me to work twice as hard to keep pace and absorb
everything I could. I also used my course selections to try things I’d never done before, which is why I took Film. It has been a
rewarding choice and I truly enjoyed it.
My CAS projects were “Identidades Latinoamericanas: Affinity Group”, a group where my Latin American peers and I found a safe
place to be, which helped develop a sense of belonging. Another CAS activity was Run Club at Bedok Reservoir. I liked it because
I had never considered myself a sporty person, but with the time and effort I put in, I can now run 4 km. I joined the cheerleading
team: Dragons Cheer, learning to be more confident as the only male on the team. I also got involved with Dragons TV, a club
running a mock TV station at school. Recording and editing programmes there gave me hands-on experience for my Film course.
For my service, I participated in “Urban Gardening Propagation”, where I learned more about the processes behind propagating
plants while making the campus a greener place with projects like the Fruit and the Herb Garden. I also danced in CultuRama,
showcasing different cultures from across the world.
For Project Week, I travelled to Hong Kong with five friends to take on a series of outdoor challenges, including kayaking, hiking,
camping, and swimming. We really pushed ourselves by exploring the rural parts of Hong Kong. Because our activities required
a lot of coordination, I stepped into a leadership role to help keep the group organised. Coming out of Project Week, I feel much
more confident in my ability to handle both physical challenges and team leadership.
One of my favourite boarding house routines is “Tea Time,” a device-free school night activity on the sixth floor where everyone
connects over a warm drink. It became my favourite experience here because it allowed me to learn about global politics,
customs, and traditions. I loved proudly sharing what being Guatemalan means to me, celebrating our culture while raising
honest awareness of its challenges and building a deeper understanding of the world through simple community moments.
Last summer, I went back to Guatemala and worked at a call centre to support fundraising efforts for the Centro de Recuperación
Nutricional (San Antonio de Padua). This centre focuses on combating malnutrition and undernutrition in children under 12 years
old, a critical crisis that affects more than 50 per cent of children in the region.
After UWCSEA, I will be pursuing Creative Writing and a minor in Journalism at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) on a Davis
Scholarship. For me, the UWC movement means to make the world a better place, starting within ourselves by changing
prejudices and being a more informed person. I plan to carry this forward by nurturing the lifelong friendships I’ve made here and
ensuring I never let first impressions dictate how I view others.
Lately, I have been spending my free time writing poetry in Spanish to capture the emotions, questions, and lessons of my UWC
experience. These poems serve as a personal reminder of what I’ve achieved and who I aspire to be. Moving forward, I hope to
share them with my Spanish-speaking friends, and I am even planning to write haikus in English to express my deepest gratitude
to the incredible people who have inspired me over these past two years.
Scholar Factsheet 2025/2026
UWC Maastricht (Grade 11)
UWCSEA Scholars per region
30 Asia
Pacific
|
31 Africa
|
14
Europe
|
30 Americas
scholars at
other UWC’s
Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of
Southern Africa (Grade 11 and 12)
UWC Mahindra College (Grade
11 and 12)
UWC East Africa (Grade 12)
Current enrolment
105
scholars
at UWCSEA
Grade 10
Grade 9
52
Grade 11
47
Grade 12
Grade 8
Grade breakdown
15
Asia Pacific
22
Africa
20
Americas
13
Europe
70 countries across the world are represented by UWCSEA scholars
112
scholars receiving a UWC
education thanks to support
from the UWCSEA community
54
continuing
scholars
51
new
scholars
56
Dover
49
East
47
Scholars graduating
in 2026 from
UWCSEA
Argentina • Azerbaijan • Bhutan • Bolivia • Brazil • Bulgaria • Burkina Faso • Cambodia • Cameroon • Canada • Chile • Colombia • Democratic Republic of Congo •
Congo Brazzaville • Costa Rica • Cote d’Ivoire • Dominican Republic • Ecuador • Egypt • El Salvador • Estonia • Eswatini • Ethiopia • France • Georgia • Guatemala •
Haiti • Honduras • Hungary • India • Indonesia • Jamaica • Jordan • Kenya • Liberia • Macedonia • Madagascar • Malawi • Malaysia • Marshall Islands • Mexico •
Republic of Moldova • Mozambique • Myanmar • Netherlands • New Zealand • Niger • Oman • Peru • Poland • Rwanda • Senegal • Serbia • Sierra Leone • Spain •
Tajikistan • United Republic of Tanzania • Timor-Leste • Togo • Trinidad and Tobago • Turkey • Uganda • Ukraine • United States • Uruguay • Uzbekistan • Venezuela •
Vietnam • Zambia • Zimbabwe
For more information about UWCSEA’s Scholarship Programme, or to renew your support today, please contact:
UWCSEA Foundation | +65 6419 9353 | foundation@uwcsea.edu.sg | www.uwcsea.edu.sg/supportus
THANK YOU FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN 2025/2026
FUND-2526
Through the power of
community giving, UWCSEA’s
Scholarship Programme
equips young people from
different nations and cultures
with the skills, experiences,
and education to help
shape a more peaceful and
sustainable world.