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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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United World College In Mostar
The United World College in Mostar (UWC Mostar) (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian: Koledž Ujedinjenog svijeta u Mostaru) is a part of the United World College, founded by Elisabeth Rehn (UN Special Rapporteur on the Secretary General for the United Nations Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina 1995-1999) and Lamija Tanović (Chair, Humanity in Action Bosnia and Herzegovina) in 2006 and officially opened by Queen Noor of Jordan. UWC Mostar is the first UWC with an explicit aim to contribute to the reconstruction of a post-conflict society and also the first to be housed within an existing public school (see also Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina). UWC Mostar is the twelfth college in the United World Colleges family, and the fourth college in Europe.

UWC Mostar was founded as a joint initiative of UWC and the International Baccalaureate Organization, with the aim to support the peace process in the country and the region. From January 2011, UWC Mostar is part of Foundation Education in Action which is a legal successor of UWC-IB Initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The chair of the Governing Board is Pilvi Torsti, Chair of the College Board is Jasminka Bratić (who is also a member of the school's Governing Board).

As consequence of the Bosnian War, Gymnasium Mostar - with which UWC Mostar shares a building - teaches two national separate secondary school curricula, intended for Croat and Bosniak students. UWC Mostar students come from all ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as from the region and abroad. All students live, study and serve the community together, creating a unique example of integrated education in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The college also serves as the Centre for Professional Development of Teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina who receive training in international educational standards.

Students at the college are eligible, upon graduation, to participate in the Davis United World College Scholars Program, which funds undergraduate study for UWC students at selected universities in the United States.

Location

The Old Bridge in Mostar
The building shared by the Mostar Gymnasium and UWC Mostar

The UWC Mostar is located in Mostar, which is the centre of Herzegovina, an historic region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar is widely known by the famous Old Bridge (Stari Most), originally built in 1566, destroyed by HVO forces during the Bosnian War in 1993 and rebuilt in 2004.

Mostar was chosen for hosting UWC as a striking example of the post-war ethnic division and tensions.

The UWC Mostar is located in the city center of the city of Mostar. The college, with 165-200 students, shares a building with Gimnazija Mostar (approx. 650 students). Before the war this school, also known as the Old Gymnasium, built in 1898 - 1902 during the Austro-Hungarian rule in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was known as one of the finest schools in the former Yugoslavia.

UWC Mostar does not have an isolated campus - students live in five residences in different parts of the City of Mostar.

IB DP curriculum

UWC Mostar is an IB World School since September 2006. It offers International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) in English. In the school year 2017/2018 UWC Mostar runs these IB Courses:

Creativity, Action, Service- CAS Programme

Creativities: Model United Nations, Astronomy, School Band, Debating Club, International Cooking, UWC Links Group, AB initio languages, Community Theatre, Visual Arts, Choir, Craft, Robotics, Global Awareness, Mediation, Fashion, School Promotion Group, Improvisational Theatre

Actions: Volleyball, Basketball, Table Tennis, Football, Rugby, Hiking & Cycling, Modern Dance, Ballroom Dance, Yoga, Judo & Taek Won Do,

(Social) Services: Kindergarten Radobolja, SOS Kindergarten and Family Centre, Home for children without parental care "Egyptian Village", Centre for people with special needs "Los Rosales", Caritas’ Centre for children with Special Needs "Holy Family", Primary School for Children with Special Needs, Refugee camp Tasovčić, Ecology Group, "Erase the Hate" dedicated to removing swastikas around the city, UWC Mostar Labs and Library maintenance, IT lab lessons, Mostar Peer Support (MOPS), UWC Mostar Green House, Parent’s Association of children with Special needs "Sunce", Amnesty International Group, Fun with Elderly

Student body

Students of UWC Mostar displaying their country flags from the Stari Most bridge on 7 October 2018

In academic year 2022/2023 the College is attended by 204 students from 72 countries of the world.

Head teachers

  • 2006–2010: Paul Regan
  • 2010–2018: Valentina Mindoljević
  • 2018–2019: Mark Feltham
  • 2019–2021: Dženan Hakalović (Acting Head)
  • 2021–present: Sonia Rawat

References

  1. ^ Hromadzic, Azra (November 2008). "Discourses of Integration and Practices of Reunification at the Mostar Gymnasium, Bosnia and Herzegovina". Comparative Education Review. Special Issue on Education in Conflict and Postconflict Societies. 52 (4): 561. doi:10.1086/591297.
  2. ^ Pasalic Kreso, Adila (2008). "The War and Post-War Impact on the Educational System of Bosnia and Herzegovina". International Review of Education. 54 (3–4): 356–357. doi:10.1007/s11159-008-9087-y.
  3. ^ Hayden, Mary; Jeff Thompson (September 1995). "International Schools and International Education: A Relationship Reviewed". Oxford Review of Education. 21 (3): 336–337. doi:10.1080/0305498950210306. JSTOR 1050876.
  4. ^ "The Program | Davis UWC Scholars". www.davisuwcscholars.org. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  5. ^ "Teaching global understanding - The Boston Globe". archive.boston.com. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  6. ^ Herzegovina Neretva Canton Tourist Board. "The Old Gymnasium". Archived from the original on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
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