About Us

UWC Dilijan is a diverse international community working towards a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable world through a challenging education based upon high academic standards and strong intercultural understanding.

The College is an integral part of Dilijan and Armenia, and aims to have both a transforming personal effect and a positive local and regional impact. UWCD strives for excellence with in an innovative and inspirational educational experience within a joyful, open multi-cultural community that will contribute towards a peaceful and sustainable future.

In 2014, impact investors and social entrepreneurs Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend, with the support of other Founding Donors, established UWC Dilijan, an international boarding school located on the ancient Silk Route and at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Russia. It became the 14th United World College of the 18 schools and colleges now established in the global education movement. The Founders’ aim was to bring the transformational power of education to young people from diverse geographies, cultures and backgrounds. They envisaged creating a school that combines the best practices of today’s education and embodies the future of education.

UWC Dilijan represents an exciting extension of the UWC movement into the Caucasus region at the junction of Asia and Europe. 

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

  • The first cohort of 94 students from 49 countries entered UWC Dilijan in August 2014, and we now have 220 students from 80 countries
  • The international faculty of about 33 teachers from 15 countries are also actively engaged as mentors and learners
  • 5 UWC movement alumni are currently involved in academic and pastoral life at UWC Dilijan
  • Over 700 donors from across the world support the school

IB WORLD SCHOOL

  • The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is an academic programme recognised by universities worldwide a the curriculum taught in English
  • The IB Diploma is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16-19 preparing students for effective participation in a rapidly evolving and increasingly global society
  • Students take part in programmes of education that can lead them to some of the highest ranking universities around the world

CREATIVITY - ACTIVITY - SERVICE

  • CAS enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development by learning through experience 
  • It provides opportunities for self-determination and collaboration with others, fostering a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment in their work
  • Student-led CAS projects are aimed at engaging with the local community and environment  

ALUMNI

  • The first generation of UWCD Alumni graduated in May 2016; many of them are continuing their education in the leading universities worldwide – Yale, Columbia, UCL, School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS) University of London, Minerva Schools at KGI, McGill University, Duke, Queen Mary University of London, The University of Warwick, UC Berkeley, Ringling College, The University of Edinburgh, Sciences Po, King's College, Harvard and others
  • Many graduates have taken a gap year and are volunteering all around the world in the true spirit of the UWC family