The launch of Dulwich College Yangon

On Tuesday 26 April 2016 Dulwich College International (DCI) formally announced its entry to Myanmar. A reception event was held to mark the launch of Dulwich College Yangon, hosted by His Excellency Mr Andrew Patrick, British Ambassador to Burma at the British Ambassador’s Residence, Alan Pya Road, Yangon.

Members of the DCI senior leadership announced the opening of Dulwich College Yangon at an afternoon press conference with local media and regional correspondents. They stated that the campuses in Pun Hlaing and Thanlyin Star City, would open for the academic years 2016-17 and 2017-18 respectively. The Right Honourable Peter Riddell, CBE, Chairman of the Dulwich College Board of Governors and Old Alleynian (1959-66), explained the relationship with the founding College in London and expressed support for the founding of the College in Yangon. With this close educational partnership, Dulwich College Yangon will be the first international school in Myanmar with a direct link to a prestigious independent school in the UK.

His Excellency Mr Andrew Patrick, welcomed (and impressed) guests at the evening reception with a short speech in Myanmar and then in English. The DCI Project Director for the Myanmar schools, Richard Barnard, then introduced the Founding Headmaster of Dulwich College Yangon, Daryl Orchard, who spoke for a few minutes about the school’s provision for its students and the community. He talked about his involvement in establishing football training for local children in the area, with the support of the school team, and the launch of the Dulwich International Schools Foundation initiative, Magic Bus Myanmar. After hearing from the Founding Headmaster, Christian Guertler, CEO of Dulwich College International gave thanks to the assembled honoured guests and special thanks to all those who had come together to make the foundation of Dulwich College Yangon possible, including the development partner. Melvyn Pun, CEO and Executive Director of Yoma Strategic Holdings then expressed his enthusiasm for partnering with Dulwich College International and the opportunities this will bring to the community. Guests then heard a heart felt speech from the Right Honourable Peter Riddell, who remarked on his encounters with students at the different Dulwich College International schools across Asia. To mark the launch of Dulwich College Yangon, Mr Riddell then passed ‘Dulwich College – A History 1616-2008’ to the Founding Headmaster. As Founding Headmaster Daryl Orchard is guiding the newest member of the Dulwich family of schools and beginning a new chapter in the Dulwich history. Founder and Executive Chairman for Dulwich College International, Fraser White brought the evening to a close with a toast to the team and the success of Dulwich College Yangon.