A green oasis can be found in the outskirts of Sofia, at the foot of the beautiful Vitosha Mountain where some 500 students from 45 countries attend classes daily. This is the Anglo-American School of Sofia (ASS) which is proud with its 45-year-long history and its numerous achievements in the academic sphere. And this is not all. The AAS facility itself where the school has been located since 2006 is an example of green thinking in the field of architecture and education. It is small wonder that the new extension of the AAS campus recently earned a LEED EBOM gold certification awarded by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Only three schools in Europe have been certified by USGBC and the AAS building in Sofia is the first such facility for the Balkan region.
Here is Jim Urquhart, school principal, talking to RB’s Elena Karkalanova. (audio)
Green thinking is widely present not only in the architectural design and the construction of the school facility. State-of-the-art environmental standards find an expression in each newly-constructed part – such as the impressive library with its “green roof” and a number of elements of ecological design. In this way, the building boosts the environmental awareness of students and encourages their responsible attitude to the environment they live in.
Jim Urquhart himself is Canada-born and the larger part of his professional experience is related to managing such international educational institutions. He has been in Bulgaria for less than a year now, having previously worked in the Russian capital Moscow and Sao Paolo in Brazil.
What is his opinion of the Bulgarian educational system?
For its 45 years of history, the AAS has built an international community with a strong Bulgarian presence, says Mr. Urquhart. What is more, teachers and students together formulate their vision of this community where national differences are just a natural ingredient to the unique hotch-potch of everyday life in this school. “Every international school should be integrated into the hosting country and earn its respect. So this means we should be trying to enjoy life in Bulgaria and understand this country, adds Jim Urquhart.
English version: Rossitsa Petcova
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