The UWC Mahindra Project Based Diploma
About Us Mission: UWC makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.
UWC Movement
1962
1
15
Founding Year
Mission
UWC schools and colleges on 5 continents
140+
7500
50,000+
National Committees
students educated annually
alumni
UWC Mahindra College
1997
250
Founding Year
students aged 16 to 19
60+ countries represented in the student body
175 acre residential campus: a biodiversity reserve within the greater Western Ghats one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots College Meeting Front Cover: Project-based learning in our biodiversity reserve.
28 faculty members from over 10 countries
500 students in seven villages educated through Akshara our local impact initiative
1600+ alumni
The UWC Mahindra Project Based Diploma The UWC Mahindra Project Based Diploma is designed to help students meet the demands of the 21st century, through a combination of project based learning, classroom academics and independent research, which is inspired by the UWC Guiding Principles and guided by the UWC Educational Model. The UWC Guiding Principles recognize that “each individual possesses unique talents and abilities.” The UWC Educational Model strives for “the balanced development of the whole person” in ways that go beyond merely the academic dimension. UWC Mahindra College is offering a new programme with a focus on project based and experiential learning. The UWC Mahindra Project Based Diploma gives students an option to develop holistically through a process of self-constructed learning that is focused on a long-term personally meaningful research project.
The UWC Educational Model
Theatre-based Project: Nose-Up Medical Clowning
Elements of the UWC Mahindra Project Based Diploma The UWC Mahindra Project The project is the primary focus for all students and it directs their entire academic programme. It is driven by the student’s personal interests and designed around issues related to the UWC mission and in areas relevant to our context in India.
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma Students receive the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma; a school leaving qualification which has worldwide recognition.
Seminar Programme Students choose from a range of public lectures, online courses etc. which complement their experiential and classroom learning. Students also facilitate seminars on issues they have mastered during their studies.
Triveni Programme All students participate actively in the UWC Mahindra College Triveni Programme which focuses on community engagement.
Faculty, Mentors and Support Each student is supported by educators, researchers and industry professionals who are leaders in their field, throughout the entire course. These mentors are always available as a resource for students as they move through the project management life cycle.
The UWC Mahindra Project Based Diploma Model
Alisha Fredriksson (Canada ‘14) : Founder of Seema Circle - a social enterprise enabling livelihood for local women through jewellery-making.
The UWC Mahindra Project
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma
The project lies at the heart of the UWC Mahindra Project Based Diploma. It is the primary focus for all Project Based Diploma students, driven by the student’s personal interests and skills. Our students will be living the mission through their impact-driven projects.
Each UWC Mahindra Project Based Diploma student fulfills the criteria for the award of the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma; a school leaving qualification with worldwide recognition.
Through their projects, our students are able to tackle real world issues including, but not limited to, social justice and environmental sustainability. The output of their projects can be in any format, e.g. as a movie, a written thesis, a series of presentations. Student projects are presented to a project evaluation committee made up of faculty and expert external assessors who will qualitatively assess the learning involved over the duration of the programme.
This involves a mix of Principal Courses from the Cambridge curriculum, with the option of IB Higher Level courses, a course in Global Perspectives, and the completion of an Independent Research Report. The three courses are chosen by the student, in consultation with their mentors, to provide the content and develop the skills required for the project.
Seminar Programme All the UWC Mahindra Project Based Diploma students actively engage in the seminar programme; a key feature of the self-constructed and supported learning of the diploma. Students choose, in consultation with their mentors, public lectures or online courses, relevant to the learning required for the UWC Mahindra Project. All the Project Based Diploma students facilitate seminars for the student body and larger community, on issues in which they develop expertise during their studies.
Triveni Programme The UWC Mahindra Project Based Diploma students participate actively in our Triveni Programme. Our students work on projects based on interests and skills. The Project Based Diploma students are required to choose Triveni activities closely related to their UWC Mahindra Project. These projects contribute to and provide opportunities to further develop their UWC Mahindra Project.
People, Nations & Cultures All UWC Mahindra College students take this course, which covers issues such as identity and nationalism, peace and conflict, knowledge and power, exploring knowledge issues in these areas. It goes beyond the IB Theory of Knowledge and the Cambridge Global Perspectives courses.
Learning Environmental Systems outside the classroom.
Timeline and Assessment of the UWC Mahindra Project Based Diploma Semester 1
(August-December) Students begin thinking about potential UWC Mahindra Project ideas in collaboration with the Diploma Coordinator. Defining the UWC Mahindra Project along with the project mentors; beginning to build the core skill set necessary for its execution.
Semester 2 (January-June)
Work begins on the UWC Mahindra Project. Cambridge Pre-U assessments completed by June.
Semester 3
(July-December) Work continues on the UWC Mahindra Project, leading to the completion of a preliminary draft in Semester 3.
Semester 4 (January-May)
The UWC Mahindra Projects submitted early in Semester 4 and presented to the project evaluation committee. The UWC Mahindra Projects are sent to universities along with standard application forms. Preparation for Cambridge Pre-U and International Baccalaureate exams.
Recognition & Accreditation The United World Colleges have always been at the vanguard of curriculum development. The UWC Mahindra Project Based Diploma establishes an educational curriculum in line with the needs of the 21st century. The enthusiasm and encouragement from the colleges and universities with which we worked, while developing the programme, is a testament to the importance of this Diploma. In addition, the Cambridge Pre-U is recognised by universities and national ministries of education around the world as equivalent to other pre-university qualifications. Formal recognition of the Cambridge Pre-U has been given by over 145 universities in the United Kingdom, over 75 of the best colleges and universities in North America, the most respected universities in Asia, as well as the national educational systems in South Africa, Australia, and across Europe.
Admissions All students currently in X or XI grade apply to UWC Mahindra College through the UWC National Committee System. This option is suited for students who are highly self-motivated, driven and personally accountable. Prospective students are encouraged to contact UWC Mahindra College at pbd@muwci.net for more information about this innovative Diploma.
UWC Application Process All students apply to UWC Mahindra College through the UWC National Committee System currently present in over 140 countries. Please read more about how to apply to UWC and the National Committees at www.uwc.org/how_to_apply
Know More For more information about the UWC Mahindra Project Based Diploma, please visit: www.uwcmahindracollege.org/uwc-learn ing/academics/project-based-diploma Write to us: pbd@muwci.net
For more information about UWC Mahindra College, Please visit: www.uwcmahindracollege.org Write to us: info@muwci.net Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/uwcmahindracollege
Jackson Sales (USA, ‘16) researched and installed a Biodigester on campus: a sustainable technology that turns food waste into gas.
UWC Mahindra College, Village Khubavali, Paud, Pune, MH 412108 India Tel: (91) 97644 42751 - 54 | www.uwcmahindracollege.org