University of Seoul to host Harvard Model Congress Asia 2027

The University of Seoul campus in northeastern Seoul / Courtesy of University of Seoul

The University of Seoul will host the Harvard Model Congress Asia (HMCA) 2027, a globally recognized debate program for high school students, according to the institution.

The school said Friday that it plans to hold HMCA 2027 for three days from January 11 at its campus in northeastern Seoul, adding that it signed an agreement with HMCA organizers to support the event.

The congress is expected to bring together approximately 520 participants, including some 30 students from Harvard, around 470 high school students from across Asia and about 20 students from the University of Seoul.

The university noted that participants will engage in English-language debates, crisis response simulations and negotiation activities focused on pressing global issues and policy challenges under the guidance of Harvard students

HMCA, a nonprofit education program run by Harvard students, is a global conference that brings together high school students from across Asia to take part in English-language debates and mock parliamentary activities on international affairs and public policy issues.

Since its debut in Bangkok in 2004, the conference has been held at universities in major Asian cities, including Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo, with more than 10,000 students participating to date. Recent host institutions include the University of Tokyo in 2026, National Taiwan University in 2025, Seoul National University in 2024 and Ewha Womans University in 2023.

The University of Seoul said it expects that hosting HMCA 2027 will enhance its global recognition and expand opportunities to promote the institution to outstanding high school students from abroad.

The school also said the event will provide its students, who will take part as operating staff members, with opportunities to interact directly with Harvard students and other participants, strengthening their global communication skills and international experience.

“Hosting a globally-recognized student-led international conference at the University of Seoul is a meaningful example that demonstrates our internationalization and global networking capabilities,” Won Yong-kul, president of the university, said

He added, “We will continue to strengthen our global competitiveness by expanding international academic and student exchanges.”