YEREVAN. – Official opening of the first international school of the United World Colleges network took place in Dilijan, in Armenia's Tavush Region, on Saturday. 

UWC Dilijan College is the first school of the network in Eastern Europe and CIS area, the Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent reported.

The opening ceremony was attended by President Serzh Sargsyan, President of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic, President of Nagorno-Karabakh Bako Sahakyan, Education Minister Armen Ashotyan, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, founds and partners, as well as 1,000 guests, including donors.

“I would like to thank friends who believed in this project. I am deeply convinced and I do hope that our school will become a good example for setting global standards in Armenia. I hope that we will be an example for Armenian schools,” said Ruben Vardanyan, chairman of the UWC Dilijan College board of directors.

The College has already reachieved 96 students from 50 countries. By 2023 the school will host 650 students from at least 60 countries. 90% of gifted students will receive full scholarships granted by the DIS benefactors. There are 25 teachers, four of them are Armenians. John Puddefoot is the Founding Head of College. The studies are conducted in English.