It has been Staff Introduction Week at RCN this week – this is an opportunity for staff to learn about the activities that have been happening on campus over the course of June and July, for Support and Education Staff to reconnect after the summer break, and for professional development / training and for preparation for the beginning of the academic year.

This year’s Staff Introduction Week has featured a drinks reception, dinner with alumni and summer course students, induction for new staff, meetings, presentations and discussions. Professional development, delivered by a facilitator from the Norwegian Red Cross, was available for all staff in both Norwegian and English in ‘Appreciative Dialogue’ and, on the Friday, Education Staff were able to choose from three options based on the College’s three pillars: a visit to the Norwegian Glacier Museum; a course in mindfulness; and a friluftsliv course.

The Introduction Week finished with a staff barbecue at the Høegh on Friday evening.

UWC International yesterday announced a USD $15,000,000 funding boost through a gift by American philanthropist, Shelby M.C. Davis. Mr Davis’ gift acknowledges the continuing appeal of UWCs’ internationally recognised education model, which has deliberate diversity of the student body and education for community leadership at its heart. Each year through its global network of 15 schools and colleges, UWC provides unique educational opportunities for nearly 2000 students from more than 150 countries. The movement has an annual turnover in excess of £130 million and has recently invested £200 million in three new colleges in Armenia, Germany and China.

Contributions made through the Davis-UWC IMPACT programme will ensure UWC can continue to award places to students based on merit, irrespective of their background. Under the programme, charitable donations from alumni and their families to the UWC institutions will be matched dollar for dollar, thereby doubling contributions.