Assam Valley School, Balipara (Asom)
Since it admitted its first batch of students in 1995, AVS has emerged as north-east India’s sole internationally benchmarked secondary, setting new paradigms for boarding school education
Sprawled over 270 acres of immaculately manicured tea-gardens in Asom’s (formerly Assam) Sonitpur district, the generously endowed and fully-equipped Assam Valley School (AVS, estb.1995) has quickly established itself as north-east India’s premier residential school and among the best countrywide. Offering state-of-the-art infrastructure, high-quality faculty, contemporary IT-enabled pedagogies, advanced pastoral care and a plethora of co-curricular and extra-curricular options, within 13 years since it was promoted with the objective of "training young minds for citizenship in a globally connected world," AVS has set new paradigms for globally-benchmarked, holistic education at affordable prices. An eclectic blend of British-inspired boarding schools and India’s new genre international secondaries, admission applications into this path-breaking class III-XII school outstrip yearly vacancies by a 4:1 ratio. This co-ed primary-cum-secondary which has 891 pupils, including 300 girl students on its rolls, offers the curriculum of the Delhi-based Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) and is a member of the International Round Square Movement.
Promoted by the Williamson Magor Education Trust, AVS admitted its first batch of 149 pupils in 1995. The Williamson Magor Group is the world’s largest producer of tea (75 million kg per year) and owns 48 tea estates in Asom and six in the Dooars district of West Bengal. Industrialists and reputed academics constitute the school’s governing board. Among them: B.M. Khaitan (chairman, McLeod Russel), David Summerscale (former headmaster, Westminster School, UK), Abha Adams (former director, the Sri Ram School, Delhi), and Gulab Ramchandani (former headmaster of the Doon School), with legal luminary Pinto Khaitan officiating as chairman of the board.
"The AVS mandate is to provide contemporary, internationally bench-marked school education to the growing middle-class population of the seven sister states of north-east India. And I believe that within the relatively short span of 13 years, AVS has not only attained this objective, but has also mainstreamed the hitherto neglected state of Asom onto the secondary education map of India," says Derek Mountford (36), perhaps the youngest headmaster of a major residential school in India.
A history honours alumnus of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, Mountford has brought an impressive package of teaching and administrative experience into the spacious and well-appointed head-master’s office in AVS, having served with Vasant Valley School, Delhi (1996), the Doon School, Dehradun, (1997-2002) and Lawrence School, Sanawar, where he was deputy headmaster. In November 2003, the AVS board of governors stunned India’s esoteric public (i.e. private, exclusive) school academic fraternity by passing over some of the most experienced principals in India and abroad to appoint Mountford (then only 31) headmaster of AVS. Since then Mountford has attracted several of the country’s top public school teachers to AVS with emolument packages which are among the best in secondary school education.
Under Mountford’s watch, the school (which employs 102 teachers with impressive academic credentials, giving it an enviable 1:8 teacher-pupil ratio) has improved its academic outcomes significantly. In 2007, of the 106 pupils who wrote the class X (ICSE) board examination, 56 averaged 85 percent plus. Likewise of the 75 students who wrote the ISC (class XII) exam, 41 averaged 85 percent plus. Little wonder AVS school-leavers are being welcomed in India’s top-rung colleges such as St. Stephen’s and Lady Sri Ram, Delhi; St. Xavier’s, Mumbai, and universities abroad. "A good school," says Mountford, "should rise beyond mere exam success to assume responsibility for university placements."
Yet perhaps the distinguishing characteristic of this meticulously-engineered 21st century school, designed by celebrity Delhi-based architect Romi Khosla, is its focus on provision of holistic, all-round education. Consequently, there is elaborate provision (eight sound-proof rooms and a plethora of school-provided instruments) for learning western and Indian music and dance, and last year an AVS duo from its active debating society won the NDTV Bone of Contention all-India inter-school debate. Furbished with a spacious 6,250 sq. ft library stocked with 16,300 volumes and 34 journal subscriptions, AVS is also among the country’s most IT-savvy schools, equipped with 176 computer terminals and 24x7 internet connectivity.
But perhaps the most generous provision of them all has been made for games and ‘activities’. AVS offers thoroughly contemporary sports facilities including an olympic-size swimming-pool, a multi-utility gymnasium, an indoor sports complex, eight fields for cricket, hockey and soccer; four synthetic international tennis courts, three squash and four badminton courts, 11 horses for equestrians and an archery range. "In AVS there is complete unanimity about the healthy-body-and-mind connection," says Mountford.
Moreover, a social engineering experiment in "pupil ownership" is also a unique feature of AVS. A democratically-elected school council is actively involved with the administration of the school, maintaining discipline and managing student welfare activities, providing students opportunities for developing team-building and leadership skills. Astonishingly, despite the provision of modern, IT-enabled academic education, extensive pastoral care and superb infrastructure, school fees (Rs.1.5 lakh per year) are way below the norm of new genre international schools. Mountford ascribes this phenomenon to "running a tight ship managerially" and the parent trust’s generosity in writing off the massive capital cost (Rs.170 crore) of the school.
With its teething problems over and AVS having established a nationwide reputation, Mountford is bullish about the school’s future. "In terms of curriculum review and development, modernisation of the academic and sports infrastructure, faculty development and strengthening of parent-school ties, this is a period of consolidation for AVS. Nevertheless, we are also navigating towards the International Baccalaureate curriculum and transforming AVS into a secondary education hub which will raise educational standards across this region," he says.
Although off to a flying start, evidently this pioneer institution’s best is yet to come.
Admission and fees The Assam Valley School is a class III-XII co-educational, residential school affiliated with the Delhi-based Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). At the end of class X, pupils write the council’s ICSE examination and at the end of Plus Two, the ISC exam. Admission applications for class III are available with the Tutor for Admissions at tutor_adm@assamvalleyschool.com. The selection process includes an entrance test and personal interview. Admission into other classes is against vacancies. Separate boarding facilities are provided for girls and boys.Fees including tuition, board and lodging (per year): Rs. 1.5 lakh. For further information contact The Headmaster, The Assam Valley School, Balipara 784 101, District Sonitpur, Asom, India. Tel: 03714-292470 / 71, 73 to 77; Fax: 03714- 292479; e-mail: headmaster@assamvalleyschool.com |
Dilip Thakore (Balipara, Asom)
University of Wollongong, Australia
Featured among the top 200 universities in the world in 2007 by THES, UoW has acquired a formidable reputation for teaching, research and innovation
Established in 1951, the University of Wollongong (UoW) enjoys an enviable reputation for pioneering contemporary pedagogies and introducing innovative academic programmes in the sixth continent. Sited in the coastal city of Wollongong (pop. 400,000), a mere one hour’s drive from Sydney, the eponymous university was the first higher education institution to win three successive Australian University of the Year Awards (1999-2001); the first to introduce compulsory student evaluation of teaching; first to insist that new staff undertake teaching skills courses; first to make information technology skills compulsory for students and among the first to offer flexible double-degree programmes.Proof of its formidable international reputation in teaching, research and innovation are the excellent ratings the university receives in international surveys. UoW was featured among the top 200 universities in the world in the Times Higher Education Supplement World University Rankings 2006-07. It has also received the maximum five-star rating in seven key categories of the Australian Good Universities Guide 2008.
UoW traces its origins to 1951 when a division of the New South Wales University of Technology was established in Wollongong. Ten years later the division became the Wollongong College of the University of New South Wales and, in 1975, the University of Wollongong was chartered by the New South Wales Parliament as an independent institution of higher learning.
Thus over the past half century this institution has grown from a provincial feeder college with 300 students to an international university with over 22,737 students and 801 faculty spread across three campuses and five access centres. Originally established as a provider of technical education to engineers and metallurgists required by the region’s steel industry, UoW now offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgrad programmes across nine faculties (see box).
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ollongong. Located 80 km south of Sydney in the Illawara region on a spectacular stretch of the southern New South Wales coast, Wollongong (‘sound of the sea’ in the local Aboriginal language) is the eighth largest city in Australia and well known for its history of farming, fishing, coal mining and steel industries. Wollon-gong’s natural environment includes some of the most pristine beaches in Oz, and the escarpment to the west offers a great network of walking trails and dazzling views of the coastline. A cosmopolitan city, it boasts over 70 nationalities, and the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere.Popularly known as ‘the Gong’, its focal point is an entertainment centre that regularly hosts international concerts and sports events. The city also boasts several shopping malls featuring mainstream and boutique retail outlets, nightclubs, cinemas, bars and restaurants. Wollongong has a mild coastal climate with average temperatures varying from 17°C in winter to 26°C in summer tempered by sea breezes. Rainfall occurs mostly between January and June.
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ampus facilities. The main campus of the university is spread across 82.4 hectares in the foothills of Mount Keira contiguous with tree-covered hills, botanical gardens and the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean. Less than 5 km from the Wollongong city centre, the campus combines a tranquil bushland setting with modern, state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure. The university library has a comprehensive selection of print volumes and electronic information including electronic journals, index and abstracting services, links to subject-based resources, statistical information as well as an online catalogue. The University Recreation and Aquatic Centre (URAC) provides world-class facilities including playing fields, all-weather outdoor playing surfaces, a 50-metre heated swimming pool and tennis courts. The recreation centre includes a fully equipped gymnasium, squash courts, basketball courts, sports store and café. Additionally, a new 3,000-seat multi-purpose sports centre, scheduled to be inaugurated this year, will enhance URAC’s existing facilities.
On campus the Unicentre offers a number of cafes, restaurants and a bar, as well as a variety of fast food eateries and outdoor dining areas, conference facilities, a bank, bookshops, retail outlets, a post office, medical services and travel agency. Moreover there are over 50 clubs and societies on campus.
Apart from the Wollongong campus, the university has a second campus, Shoalhaven, in west Nowra, a third in Sydney, four education centres in the Illawara region and an overseas campus in Dubai.
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dmission. The minimum eligibility criterion for admission into Wollongong’s undergraduate study programmes is successful completion of Plus Two. Moreover international students must furnish proof of proficiency in the English language  a minimum IELTS score of 6 or TOEFL score of 550 is required. International students who don’t meet the admission requirements have the option of enrol-ling in a pre-university programme.For most study programmes, applications can be submitted at any time during the year. Students can apply for any of the three academic sessions  autumn beginning February, spring beginning July and summer starting December. For further information contact UniAdvice, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; e-mail: uniadvice@uow.edu.au; website: www.uow.edu.au
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ccommodation. A wide range of housing options are available to international students enrolled with UoW. They include university managed residences and apartments, home stay with local families and private rental in shared houses and apartments. University managed residences such as Weerona College and International House offer fully catered accommo-dation while Campus East offers a flexi-catering option. On the other hand university managed apartments are self-catering and provide single study bedrooms, living and dining room furnishings with independent cooking facilities in each unit.
Degree programmes. UoW offers a wide range of undergrad and postgraduate programmes across nine faculties. Additionally it is home to eight research institutes.
Scholastic options at Wollongong University of Wollongong offers a wide range of undergrad and postgraduate programmes across nine faculties. They include: Faculty of Arts. English literature, philosophy and languages, history and politics, social sciences, media and communication Faculty of Commerce. Bachelor of commerce and business administration Faculty of Creative Arts. Creative writing, graphic design, media arts, music and theatre, sound (composition and music production), visual arts, journalism Faculty of Education. Early childhood education, primary education, physical and health education Faculty of Engineering. Civil, mechanical, environmental, materials, mining, mechatronic, physics, nuclear science, medical and radiation physics Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences. Health sciences and medicine, surgery, exercise science, nutrition and dietetics, nursing, population and public health, psychology Faculty of Informatics. Computer science, information systems and technology, engineering, mathematics Faculty of Law. Bachelor of law Faculty of Science. Biological sciences, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, geography and geology, marine science, nanotechnology, physics Tuition fees: A$16,700-37,100 Living expenses (per year): A$10,000-12,000 |
Summiya Yasmeen