Cornerstone of UWC Robert Bosch College in Freiburg Laid
Remodeling and new construction activities at the Freiburg Charterhouse proceeding on schedule
Applications currently being accepted for the 2014/2015 school year
Stuttgart, July 4, 2013 - The UWC Robert Bosch College on the grounds of the former Charterhouse in Freiburg is beginning to take shape. On July 4, representatives of the Robert Bosch Stiftung and the German UWC foundation, the new UWC Robert Bosch College, and the city of Freiburg laid the cornerstone of the cafeteria and auditorium building. Students from United World Colleges worldwide sent greetings and presents to celebrate the beginning of construction of the first German UWC.
"This is another important step in the establishment of this one-of-a-kind school, which stands for international understanding, excellent education, and social commitment," said Dr. Ingrid Hamm, executive director of the Robert Bosch Stiftung. "We are already looking forward to greeting students from around the world who will attend classes here in Freiburg next year." In the time until the summer of 2014, the former monastery’s main building will be renovated for energy efficiency and converted into a building of classrooms and offices. In addition, a students’ and teachers’ village will be built on the grounds, with nine residential buildings and a cafeteria and auditorium building. All of the new buildings adhere to Freiburg’s standard for energy-efficient housing.
The Robert Bosch Stiftung and Robert Bosch GmbH are investing a total of 40 million euros to establish the UWC Robert Bosch College - making it the largest project the Foundation has ever carried out. The symbolic ground-breaking ceremony was held in 2011 on the occasion of Robert Bosch’s 150th birthday and the 125th anniversary of the company’s founding.
The UWC Robert Bosch College is the 13th UWC worldwide and offers space for two hundred precollege students from over 70 nations. Only one out of every four students will be from Germany. "With its focus on sustainability and environmental technologies, the German UWC will make its very own contribution within the United World Colleges system, which is focused on international understanding," said Jens Waltermann, chairman of the board of the German UWC foundation. "Because of its standing as a green city, Freiburg is the perfect location for this school." The Foundation has sent dedicated and talented German students - usually on a scholarship - to United World Colleges all over the world since the 1960s. The school is currently accepting applications for the 2014/2015 school year - the deadline is December 15, 2013.