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UWC and China
How can there be peace without people understanding each other, and how can this be if they don’t know each other?

Lester B.Pearson

Early supporter of Pearson College, former Prime Minister of Canada, and Nobel Peace Laureate

The striking feature of the UWC is that they embrace the entire world. They are unique and they are conscious of their responsibilities.

Nelson Mandela

Late Honorary President of UWC, Former President of South Africa

We have realized our dream to create a dream school for you. Please go out and realize your dream and other’s dreams.

Wesley Chiu,

Member of UWC National Committee of China, board member of UWC Changshu China

The sense of idealism and a purposeful life really makes the UWC experience unique and its impact life-long.

Wang Yi

Co-Founder, Vice Chairman of Board and Executive Director of Harvard Centre Shanghai. Pearson 89-91

UWC was one of the ten members of the international schools association that created the International Baccalaureate Organization in Geneva in 1963 … today, they are taken in over 4,000 schools worldwide and have become the gold standard for university entrance.

Sir John Daniel

Chair of UWC International Board and International Council 

I regard it as the foremost task of education to ensure the survival of these qualities: an enterprising curiosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self-denial and above all, compassion.

Kurt Hahn

German Educator, Founder of United World Colleges

1973
UWC and China

The history of the UWC movement in the mainland of China dates back to 1973, when Premier Zhou Enlai nominated 15 students to attend UWC Atlantic College. These were the first group of Chinese students who went abroad to study in the West after the founding of the People's Republic of China. During the following years, a steady stream of Chinese students were selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and a number of affiliated schools and organizations to follow in the footsteps of these pioneers to represent China at UWC colleges.

 Changshu is located in the Yangtze Delta and blessed by a mild climate. The yearly abundance of its harvests is what gave Changshu City its name -‘Changshu’ ( 常熟) a reference to the perennial ripeness of its produce. this 3,000-years-old city has been recognized nationally for its rich cultural heritage. It also boasts a picturesque landscape and UWC Changshu China is fortunate to be located on the banks of the largest lake, Kuncheng Lake. It is also easily accessible by highspeed train and car from Shanghai.

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TIMELINE

  • 1973
    First group of students who went abroad to study in the West after the founding of the People's Republic of China.

    The history of the UWC movement in the mainland of China dates back to 1973, when Premier Zhou Enlai nominated 15 students to attend UWC Atlantic College. These were the first group of Chinese students who went abroad to study in the West after the founding of the People's Republic of China. During the following years, a steady stream of Chinese students were selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and a number of affiliated schools and organizations to follow in the footsteps of these pioneers to represent China at UWC colleges.

    Photo:1973年,First group of Chinese students at AC

  • 1992
    Opening of UWC LPC at HK SAR

    Prince Charles (then President of the UWC movement) officially opened Li Po Chun UWC of Hong Kong.

    Photo:1992年,Prince Charles at UWCLPC opening

  • 2000
    Start of a 15 year journey

    Upon graduation from Red Cross Nordic UWC (RCNUWC), Jiapeng Mark Wang’s dream of establishing a UWC in China gained support from the founders of RCNUWC – Tom Gresvig and Magne Bjegne.

  • 2003
    First attempt

    With the support from RCNUWC and Sabina Brady, the first draft of the feasibility report and the application letter to the UWC International Board were submitted.

  • 2004
    Special task force visits China

    A special task force led by Board Vice Chair Derek Blackman (former Director General of the International Bacclaureate) and comissionsed by the UWC International Board visited China for the first time for a UWC China evaluation.

  • 2009
    Second task force commissioned

    The UWC International Board sent its second task force to China led by Colin Habgood to review the possibility of establishing a UWC in Beijing and later in Changshu and Suzhou.

  • 2010
    Establishment of UWC National Committee of China.

    The UWC National Committee of the mainland of China was established and took over the role of selecting students to attend UWC Schools and Colleges. Jiapeng Mark Wang (UWCRCN 98 - 00) became chair of the committee.

    UWC 50th anniversary and signing of Letter of Intent of UWC Changshu China Project

    Party Secretary Hui Jianlin, Mayor Wang Yang, other leaders of Changshu Government, some UWC alumni in China and founding members of UWC National Committee of China took part in the UWC 50th anniversary and signing ceremony of Letter of Intent of the UWC Changshu China Project.

  • 2013
    22nd April, signing of UWC Changshu China Project Cooperation Agreement

    The Agreement officially kicked off the Project.

    Group photo of all ceremony attendees

  • 2014
    29th March, ground breaking ceremony

    The construction of UWCCSC started.

    24th November, Final Approval

    24th November, Final Approval from the UWC International Board to UWC Changshu China to admit students from 2015.

  • 2015
    8th May, World IB School Status

    8th May, IB world school status awarded by International Baccalaureate Organization

    September, construction completed

    September, phase one construction of UWC Changshu China complete

    30th September, founding year students arrival day

    The founding year cohort consists of 127 students from 54 countries and regions.

    7th November, Grand Opening

    HM Queen Noor of Jordan and over 500 guests from across China and the world celebrated the Grand Opening of United World College Changshu China.

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