On December 12, 2015, senior leaders from Harvard University met with students at UWC Changshu China just one month after the school's grand opening. UWC and Harvard both seek to identify talented and well-rounded students for their diverse education programs. The visit demonstrated Harvard's support for the establishment of UWC Changshu China and its key values.

United World College (UWC), founded in 1962, has 15 colleges and schools world-wide which bring together students from different nations, races and religions with the explicit aim to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. The Changshu campus opened in October 2015 and has enrolled 128 students from 54 countries and regions.

Each year, UWC graduates from across the world are admitted to Harvard. UWC and Harvard have maintained a close relationship since UWC’s founding.The Harvard officials conversed with UWC students for nearly two hours about shared academic interests and undergraduate life at Harvard.Tamara Rogers, Harvard’s Vice-President for Development and Alumni Affairs, formerly head of international admissions for Harvard College, and UWC-USA selection committee member, said: “Idealism, passion, sophistication, appreciation of differences and a genuine commitment to community service are the great qualities of UWC students which Harvard is looking for. International education in a diverse setting, aimed at creating a better world is of great significance to the long-term growth of young people. Jiapeng Mark Wang, UWC Red Cross Nordic ’00, founder and Chair of the UWC Changshu China Board, said: “UWC Changshu China offers not just a rigorous academic program but also the opportunity for students from around the world to embark on a lifelong journey toward peace and sustainability. I look forward to further engagement with Harvard. 

Wang Yi, UWC Pearson College ’91, Harvard College ’95, Executive Director of the Harvard Shanghai Centre and co-founder of UWC Changshu China, said: “My experiences at UWC and Harvard transformed my life. I am delighted to introduce the exceptional founding year students from China and across the world to Harvard as we work together to promote reform and innovation in China’s education.”Prof. Mark Elliott, Vice Provost for International Affairs; Prof. Xiao-Li Meng, Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; and Prof. William Kirby, Chairman of the Harvard China Fund were among the ten-member Harvard delegation.