Kansai schools invite Harvard researchers, students
The main entrance of the University of Osaka in Suita, Osaka Prefecture (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
Three major universities in the Kansai region will assist international students and researchers facing difficulties in the United States because of the Trump administration's attacks against Harvard University.
The University of Osaka in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, announced on May 28 that it is considering specific support measures, such as helping Harvard students and researchers with the necessary procedures for travel to Japan and waiving tuition.
The university's Graduate School of Medicine said it has secured financial resources of 600 million yen ($4.12 million) to 1 billion yen to establish a system to accept up to about 100 researchers, regardless of nationality.
'In the United States, where outstanding researchers gather from all over the world, something terrible is happening,' Masaru Ishii, who heads the Graduate School of Medicine, said in a statement. 'The inability to continue excellent research is a loss for humanity as a whole.'
The statement continued: 'Support is important for future academic and international development. We will provide an environment where they can engage in cutting-edge research with peace of mind.'
On the same day, Kansai University, also in Suita, announced its policy to accept international students and researchers from U.S. universities, regardless of their country of origin.
The university has accepted Ukrainian students and researchers by providing travel expenses and scholarships after Russia's invasion of their country.
The school will use this experience to work out details of support for those looking to leave the United States.
Kyoto University, in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward, announced on May 27 that it plans to accept international students from Harvard University if the Trump administration forces them to give up their studies there.
The university said it has also started preparations to accept young researchers from the prestigious Ivy League school.
The education ministry that day asked Japanese universities to consider accepting international students from Harvard.
(This article was compiled from reports written by Yasuji Nagai, Takuya Asakura and Ippei Yaoita.)
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