April 26 – Dulwich College International (DCI) announced formally its entry to Myanmar. The two campuses in the Yangon townships of Hlaing Tharyar and Thanlyin will be collectively known as Dulwich College Yangon. The College will act as one educational institution operating across two sites. Dulwich College Yangon will be the first international school in Myanmar with a direct link to a renowned British independent school in the UK. Funded by a capital investment of more than US$30 million by Yoma Strategic Holdings, Dulwich College Yangon will boast state of the art facilities across its two campuses. The College in Yangon joins the family of Dulwich College International schools in Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou, Seoul and Singapore, along with two International High Schools in Suzhou and Zhuhai and, the founding school, Dulwich College in London.
A reception marking the launch of Dulwich College Yangon was hosted by His Excellency Mr Andrew Patrick, British Ambassador to Burma at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Yangon. On the decision to establish Dulwich College in Yangon, His Excellency stated: “It brings me great pleasure to welcome Dulwich College to Burma; founded in 1619 the College is one of the UK’s oldest and most prestigious independent schools. The influx of British educational provision of this calibre will be a huge benefit to Burma.”
Dulwich College Yangon Pun Hlaing campus (which will remain Pun Hlaing International School until August 2016) is accepting admissions for the 2016/2017 academic year at its current campus. Admissions will open in June 2016 for the first intake of students at the College’s Star City campus (formally British College Yangon) for the following academic year in August 2017. The Right Honourable Peter Riddell, CBE, Chairman of the Dulwich College Board of Governors and Old Alleynian (1959-66), stated “It is truly an honour that we are able to launch Dulwich College Yangon during a period of such change and optimism in Myanmar. We are pleased to widen the access to a Dulwich education further with the opening of the College in Yangon.”
Fraser G. White, Founder and Executive Chairman, Dulwich College International commented “The Dulwich College Yangon campus facilities will stand as testament to our [Yoma Strategic’s and DCI’s] shared vision of developing a world-class international education in Myanmar, and will offer exceptional prospects for the Myanmar and foreign students who will use them”. Christian Guertler, CEO of Dulwich College International spoke on behalf of the DCI group: “We fully intend to play our part and contribute to Myanmar’s growth by providing a world-class educational offering for local students as well as the growing expatriate community.” Melvyn Pun, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Yoma Strategic Holdings commented “Yoma Strategic is pleased that Dulwich College Yangon will open in both Pun Hlaing Golf Estate and Star City. We are confident the world-class facilities and Dulwich’s excellent education standard will greatly benefit our community and contribute to developing the leaders in our next generation.”
Daryl Orchard, founding Headmaster of Dulwich College Yangon said, “Dulwich College Yangon offers a friendly, student centred learning environment. Our academic programme runs in conjunction with a comprehensive extra-curricular programme, ensuring the College is able to provide a wealth of artistic, sporting, and cultural opportunities for our students to engage in, both in Yangon and across the Dulwich College International family of schools.”
“We offer a British independent school style of education, while at the same time recognising the importance of studying Myanmar language and culture. We will also offer our students the Dulwich College International Mandarin programme,” added Orchard.
