"EDUCATION" PRESS RELEASES

Queen Noor and German National Committee plan for a Middle Eastern United World College in Jordan.

Saturday 25 April 1998

Her Majesty Queen Noor Saturday met with the President of the German United World Colleges (UWC) National Committee Mr. Christian Hodeige in Baden Baden to discuss plans for the establishment of a "UWC of the Middle East" in Jordan. Queen Noor, who is the President of the UWC, said that the Jordanian National Committee is currently considering several sites in Aqaba, which would be an ideal location for the college due to its central geographical location. Mr. Hodeige affirmed that the "German National Committee fully supports the establishment of a UWC in Jordan" and will work on securing funds for the college from German educational institutions such as the German Research Association, which already finances several educational and environmental projects in the Middle East. The Chair of the UWC Board Mr. Mark Hoffman noted that the board will issue a resolution next Monday stating their "endorsement of a UWC in the Middle East," their "support for the Jordanian National Committee’s efforts in identifying a site" and their intention to form a multi-national board for the proposed college.

Founded in 1962, the UWC is an equal opportunity international secondary education program designed to foster cross-cultural understanding and global peace. The UWCs, which select students from throughout the world based on merit, awarding the majority scholarships, have emphasized diverse community service programs within their educational curricula. Students at the nine UWCs, located in Wales, Italy, Canada, Singapore, USA, Swaziland, Hong Kong and Norway, study for the International Baccalaureate degree, a pre-university qualification, while the tenth college in Venezuela offers a three year Diploma course in farm management and rural development. President Nelson Mandela is the President of the UWC International Council.

Mr. Klaus Steger of the UWC German National Committee attended the meeting.