“Davis United World College Scholar Globe Award” Photo courtesy of Charles S. Kahlenberg.
68 Pioneers from United World College Stress-Test UTampa’s International Vision.
–
By Kawthar A. Ebrahim
TAMPA, Fla. — At the University of Tampa (UTampa), while the palm trees, sunshine, and minarets offer a Floridian backdrop, students might pass a classmate from Tanzania, Ukraine, or Bahrain, reminding them about the growing global presence that is taking place. This year, UTampa is home to 68 United World College (UWC) Scholars representing one of the most prestigious educational movements in the world.
Founded during the Cold War to bridge cultural divides, UWC is a global network of 18 schools. Selection is through independent national committees in over 150 countries based on potential and merit, not the ability to pay.
The program was described as one of the most groundbreaking experiments in education since the Second World War. The UWC program, which counts King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and other world leaders as its alumni, has been nominated for two Nobel Peace Prizes in 2022 and 2024.
For UTampa to become a Davis UWC partner is a significant leap in global academic standing. Last year, UTampa housed only nine UWC scholars. Today, that number has grown to 68.
This growth has turned the UWC Student Association into a bridge between this international cohort and a university that is still learning how to host them.
“The infrastructure was not originally built for 68 students in its second year only,” said Gabriel Mfugale, a sophomore from Tanzania (UWC East Africa) and president of the UWC Student Association.
Mfugale sees his role as a collaborator. “We are in a unique position where our voices help the university refine the road map. We are helping them understand the degree of the international experience in real-time.”
For many scholars, the transition from UWC campuses in places like Tanzania or the Netherlands has highlighted the struggles of a new partnership.
Katrin Deniz Natka, a freshman from Ukraine and a UWC Maastricht alum, pointed out to the lack of campus-wide sustainability, noting many initiatives are student-initiated rather than a university effort.
“At UWC, sustainability is a core mission. Here, there is a lack of recycling. It’s an area where we hope to see the university grow with us.”
Despite the adjustments, the scholars are still invested in UTampa’s success. Mfugale said that the university’s investment in these 68 students provides a return on investment for the local American student body.
“The highest value we bring is introducing the local crowd to a global outlook,” Mfugale said. “In an interconnected world, having a classmate from an international background makes every student a better leader. It creates that cultural understanding that is at the heart of the UWC mission, uniting people for a sustainable future.”
As UTampa settles into its role as a Davis partner, the 68 scholars are doing more than just attending classes; they are building a legacy.
“When the 100th UWC scholar arrives here,” Mfugale said, “I hope they find a community and a support system that helps them prosper as much as we have.”