eNEWS 2026 | Summer Edition

We acknowledge that we live, learn and work on the unceded territory of the SC’IȺNEW̱ Nation.

CAMPUS NEWS

Campus Is Still Buzzing

The students may be gone for the summer, but there is plenty of activity on campus. Yes, more wildlife is back, and we have been hosting beautiful weddings, but our spaces have also come alive with a variety of impactful community events. The Metchosin 4-H Club youth leaders held their "Abalone to Agriculture" event connecting land and sea, and we were thrilled to see the return of MISSA (Metchosin International Summer School of Arts) bringing creative workshops back to our grounds. Pearson also played host to Coastal Nations Mental Health Workshop and their SAR (Search and Rescue) Exercise Training, alongside the Habitat Conservation Conference and visiting groups like the Stratford Hall IB School.

​​​​​​​Most excitingly, the campus is especially vibrant right now as we welcome back alumni for their 10-Year Reunion (YR 39-44) happening this week from August 4 to 7, with the excitement continuing as we prepare for the 40-Year Reunion (YR 8-13) cohorts arriving next week from August 9 to 13.

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

Summer in Action: The KULE Foundation

This summer, our students continue to live the UWC mission around the world.

Ahmed (YR52/2027,Oman) is in Kenya, volunteering with KULE Foundation International alongside nine other Pearson students. The group has been visiting schools for children in vulnerable situations to present workshops; Ahmed’s specific session focused on teaching the basics of the Arabic language and some useful phrases.

The Foundation has also worked alongside the community to build a brand-new primary school classroom.

About KULE

THE IMPACT OF GIVING

Transforming Lives: Serine's Journey

Thanks to the generous support from our alumni and donor community, Serine (YR51/2026, Lebanon), a recent graduate, was gifted a UWC education that promoted a safe space for her to grow. For Serine, this support meant access to opportunities she once did not imagine for herself: learning and living in a diverse international community, developing her voice to engage in difficult conversations, and acquiring the skills she needs to build a future on her terms. Thank you for partnering in Serine’s UWC journey: she completes Pearson as a justice-oriented graduate whose academic strengths connect global politics, identity, conflict, and lived experience.

Behind every scholarship student like Serine is a community of generous donors and the dedicated shared philanthropy of our Sustainers. Members of our Sustainer’s Society, who provide regular quarterly or monthly recurring donations, currently fund 8 full student scholarships each year.

Join the Sustainer’s Society with a recurring gift today – in any amount that works for you – and help the next generation of students gain access to a life-changing education.

Watch Serine's Video

ALUMNI IMPACT

Leading the Way: A Sustainable Future for Refugee Education

Recent graduate Emmanuel Mukarandimu’s (Manu) (YR51/2026,Uganda) journey, which began at Pearson on a full scholarship, is a powerful example of the real-world impact of a UWC education. Today, he continues to put our values into action through his organization, African Initiatives for Change (AIC).

AIC’s "New Horizons for Refugee Orphans" project currently keeps 61 refugee children in school. Their sustainability plan recently received international Rotary funding to launch a poultry project and upgrade facilities to financially sustain education for the most vulnerable.

AIC also launched the Anderson Family Scholarship to support 20 high-performing students, while providing the refugee community with urgent supplies like food, solar lights, and menstrual kits and partnered with Nova Scotia's Membertou Youth Council for a donation and letter-exchange program.

"Every step forward has continued to remind me of something Pearson taught us so well: lasting change begins with people choosing to care for one another." - Manu

Global Recognition: Named in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia

Originating from Vietnam, our alumnus Hieu Nguyen (YR44/2019,Vietnam) has achieved an extraordinary milestone by being named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list in the Healthcare & Science category.

Notably, he is the only Vietnamese honoree in this field. Hieu is currently a Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford University, focusing his research on cancer-causing gene mutations. Alongside his academic work, he serves as an advisor for the World Telehealth Initiative, helping deliver essential medical services to underserved communities globally. 

As Hieu reflects on his path: "I hope that other people who come from small villages like me can see that a good heart and a determination to make this world a better place can be heard and supported everywhere you go."

From Pearson Observatory to Interstellar Discovery

Ha Do (YR46/2021,Vietnam) found her passion while spending quiet nights at the Pearson observatory, cultivating that curiosity into an invitation to study astrophysics at the University of Chicago. While on an excursion to a Chilean observatory with her team of undergrads, Ha Do would help find a star that unlocks insight into the very evolution of our universe.

Read The Full Story Here

Behind the Scenes at the World Cup: A Volunteer’s Story

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Vancouver, our community was in the heart of the action. Alumnus John Nsabimana (YR31/2006,Rwanda), a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, volunteered in BC Place Stadium's operations and transportation, welcoming delegations and global visitors. For John, this historic event was a full-circle moment. His favorite memory was witnessing Canada come together to celebrate on home soil in an unforgettable display of national unity.

John credits his time at Pearson for preparing him for this challenge. The values of cross-cultural understanding, collaboration, and community awakened a spirit of global citizenship that naturally aligned with the magnitude of the games.

"Never underestimate the value of volunteering, because every experience builds skills, confidence, and lifelong connections." John Nsabimana

His advice for current students: always say yes to opportunities, even when they push you out of your comfort zone.

UPCOMING EVENTS