Singapore Celebrates 50 Years Of International Education With Milestone UWCSEA Anniversary

Source: Press Release

December 16th marked the celebration of 50 years of UWC education in Singapore, with UWC South East Asia (UWCSEA) celebrating its Golden Anniversary.

The College was opened on 15 December 1971 by then Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew, on the site on Dover Road which was formerly St John’s British Army School. The Dover Road location for a school for the children of expatriates in Singapore was selected by Mr Lee and the nation’s founders in a strategic move designed to support the economic development of a newly independent Singapore.

The College today embodies Lee Kuan Yew’s vision in action and now boasts 5,600 students and over 1,100 staff across two vibrant locations on either side of the island. To celebrate 50 years of international education in Singapore, and the success of the College today, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sent a message to mark the occasion and to recognise how the school has contributed to Singapore and the Singaporean community over 50 years.

To keep the history of the school alive for future generations, UWCSEA has also researched and published a history of the school titled "50 years United: The Story of UWC in Singapore". The book will be launched at an event today attended by students,staff and alumni of the school with honoured guests and representatives from Singaporean partner organisations including,
Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME), PCS Evergreen Circle Active Ageing Centre, SkillsFuture Singapore and Temasek Foundation.

The commemorative book examines the history—from the first discussions between Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Lord Mountbatten, representing UWC, to the pioneering tales about outdoor education at UWCSEA and the evolution of the College's unique curriculum, which has been influenced by its location in Singapore, at the heart of South-East Asia. It also sheds light on the memories of the
community, including Singapore service partners, and highlights the alumni and changemakers who have gone on to make a change towards a better world. The stories within it are accompanied by a collection of photos from UWCSEA’s archive, many of which have never before been published. The book will be available for loan from the National Library of Singapore from 16 December 2021
onward and is also lodged in the Singapore National Archives.

Commenting on the 50th anniversary, Carma Elliot, College President, said:

"This milestone would
not have been possible without the support of Singapore, our home, and of the local community. We
want to extend our utmost appreciation to Singapore, and all of those who have offered their
partnership over the past 50 years. We hope that this book, commemorating the journey we have
travelled on together over that time, is a fitting tribute to that journey and that it helps to preserve
our story for future generations.

We are proud to be stewards of a school that is about so much more than a place of education.
UWCSEA today is a place of belonging, which our alumni, staff and students alike call home. It is
home to students of over 75 nationalities, and a unique community of scholarship students, who join
us from around the world for the IB diploma years. We look forward to paving the way for future
generations to thrive at UWCSEA, as we build on our vision for the next 50 years.”

Click here to view the full speech made by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.