UWC Adriatic is located on premises owned by the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, that has given the college full rights of use at no cost.
In 2015 a group of generous UWC Adriatic alumni, the former Rettore of the college, David Sutcliffe and the college donor Liliana Stock Weinberg jointly established the Stock Weinberg – Edward Sutcliffe Foundation in order to help UWC Adriatic thrive and attain a more solid financial situation through the acquisition of movable and real estate assets.
The foundation’s first project was the purchase of a building in Duino (the former Duino Park Hotel), so as to provide UWC Adriatic with a new residence – the Purnama House Project.
David Halpert (AD 83-85), was one of the first alumni to support this project with a generous initial donation that enabled the foundation to buy the building and start renovation works. This acquisition marked a milestone in the college’s history as this is the first real estate item owned by the foundation.
UWC Adriatic, which has exclusive rights of use for the building, started renovating it in the spring of 2020 in order to ensure its compliance with Italian legislation on student residences. At a very critical time for all residential schools, which are required to adopt all necessary measures in order to contain the spread of Covid-19, being able to increase the college’s residential facilities is a priority. The building features 17 rooms with an en suite bathroom and two apartments for teachers.
The college is now seeking other partners – both corporate and individual – interested in joining David Halpert and other donors in developing UWC Adriatic’s real estate assets.
The first objective is completing renovation works at Purnama House by turning the ground floor (formerly the hotel bar and spa), into a common area available during the academic year for socialising and meeting purposes, while in summer it would be a venue for events, musical and art performances held in partnership with distinguished international institutions. Purnama House features a garden and a swimming pool that also require renovation. Summer activities would also involve using the upper floors, as students would be away on vacation. Necessary funds amount to approximately 600,000 Euro.
The second objective involves developing the college’s financial assets, in order to diminish UWC Adriatic’s need to rely on yearly contributions. This would enable this outstanding international educational institution to thrive at a time in which a multicultural education can play a particularly strategic role, enabling the college to continue to be looked upon as a beacon of excellence in education the world over.
For more information on the project please contact us.
