United World Colleges receives $45,000 for grants

(CNS): Alumni and friends of the United World Colleges (Cayman Islands) National Foundation (CIUWC) have helped establish the Dr Pedley Memorial Award as part of the CIUWC Scholarship Fund to provide financial support for outstanding Caymanian students accepted to the United World Colleges programme. Dr Philip Pedley, who passed away in May 2010, had previously served as chairperson of the CIUWC Board in addition to his numerous other contributions to the local community.

The idea for a fund in Dr Pedley’s name came from local attorney and past board director Colin Shaw, whose offer to provide half of the initial funds for it was matched by UWC alumni Linburgh Martin and together they pledged approximately US$22,000 over the course of two years. Martin was one of the first students CIUWC accepted to the UWC programme.

The contributions in memory of Dr Pedley were given a further boost by a pledge of US$20,000 for the 2011-2012 academic year from the Aall Foundation, a charitable trust formed in Cayman in 1982.

Donations by other alumni and friends of CIUWC have resulted in a total of over US$45,000 pledged to the Dr Pedley Memorial Award and CIUWC Scholarship Fund. The funding will expand the number of full scholarships available to Caymanian UWC students, with a portion set aside for the creation of the Dr Pedley Memorial Award. This award will be given to Caymanian graduates of UWC who meet superior academic and local community service requirements, as well as upholding outstanding behavioural and social choices throughout their attendance at UWC whilst representing the Cayman Islands. A US$1,000 stipend will be presented to recipients of the award to assist with their future educational expenses.

Dr Pedley’s widow, Arthurlyn Pedley, said, “I’m deeply touched by the generous outpouring of support for UWC given in memory of Philip by his former colleagues Colin Shaw, Linburgh Martin, the Aall Foundation, as well as by friends in the wider community as a whole. I know that he would be humbled by the fact that his passing has resulted in strengthening the financial support for this very worthy organisation whose ideals he supported.”

Orchid Morrison, current Chairperson for CIUWC, stated, “Words cannot express how grateful we are to the Aall Foundation, Linburgh Martin and Colin Shaw for their most generous contributions. We are also thankful to Mrs. Arthurlyn Pedley and all the CIUWC alumni (Aubrey Bodden, Daniel Stuber and Lisa Hurlstone, among others) who also gave donations to the CIUWC Foundation. Thank you so very much for your continued support.”

The United World Colleges were conceived in the 1950’s by the notable educationalist Kurt Hahn, who is also the founder of the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme. UWC offers an exceptional learning and living experience for students from over 120 countries. Founded on the ideals of international peace and understanding, the United World Colleges are a university preparation programme for students aged 15–18 years old that awards the International Baccalaureate Diploma on successful completion. The programme is based upon participation in a two-year, academically rigorous set of courses coupled with community service, cultural endeavours and physical activities.

The United World Colleges (Cayman Islands) National Foundation is in its 27th year of operation. Caymanian UWC students join a network of nearly 40,000 other UWC students and alumni across the globe.

Companies and individuals interested in making a donation to CIUWC in Dr Pedley’s memory are invited to contact Orchid Morrison at CIUWCFoundation@yahoo.com or 345–814–2734.