Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, established in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The university comprises fourteen schools offering undergraduate and graduate education and professional training across science, law, medicine, business, government, and the arts. It educates over 24,000 students annually and employs 20,667 faculty and staff.
The institution conducts research across multiple disciplines aimed at advancing knowledge and addressing pressing challenges. Harvard maintains a global alumni network exceeding 400,000 members worldwide, many of whom remain connected to the university community.
Since John Harvard's 1638 bequest - which included half his estate and a library of over 400 books - the institution has sustained itself through a tradition of philanthropic support spanning nearly four centuries. This enduring commitment to excellence in teaching and research has established Harvard as a world-renowned research university focused on developing leaders who make a difference globally.
