Latest news with #HKUST
NDTV
3 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
As American Dreams Fade, How Asia Is Challenging US Supremacy In Education
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. The Trump administration's crackdown on foreign students has led to uncertainty for 6,800 affected students. A judge temporarily blocked the ban on Harvard. Meanwhile, universities in Asia, like HKUST and those in Japan, are welcoming displaced students. Amid escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Ivy League universities, the US government had revoked the university's ability to enrol foreign students. The crackdown comes as a part of scrutiny of foreign students and to penalise universities not complying with federal policies and ideologies. However, US District Judge Allison Burroughs extended an order blocking the Trump administration from barring Harvard University from enrolling foreign students. It had already been paused since last week when the judge had issued a temporary restraining order. This back and forth has caught 6,800 international students in its crosshairs and has caused an impediment in their academic journey as they face visa uncertainty and potential deportation. Moreover, life has been on standby for these students who are still trying to figure out the way forward, whether to transfer to another American university to save their visas or wait till the matter clears up at Harvard. Amidst this, universities in Asia are taking proactive steps to support these displaced students. On Friday, Hong Kong Education Secretary Christine Choi called on universities in the Chinese city to welcome "outstanding students from all over the world". In an effort to better career prospects and retain global talent, Hong Kong has also introduced policies allowing full-time international undergraduates to take part-time jobs without restrictions. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology on Friday invited international students enrolled at Harvard, as well as anyone with offers to attend the elite school, to continue their studies at HKUST. "HKUST is extending this opportunity to ensure talented students can pursue their educational goals without disruption," it said in a statement. Other universities have also followed through and taken steps to assist foreign students currently in limbo in the US. Japan's Ministry of Education, led by Minister Toshiko Abe has officially encouraged domestic universities to admit students affected by the Trump administration, focussing on resuming education for those who were forced to pause their studies, per a report by the Times of India. Tokyo and Kyoto Universities have begun responding already. The former has options for temporary enrolment for displaced students, and they are also providing visa assistance and academic support. Kyoto University is planning to take in researchers who have been impacted by the crackdown. Its International Undergraduate Program (iUP), offers financial aid such as tuition waivers and monthly stipends. It is a 4.5 year program. As political dynamics change, Asia is stepping up to redefine the study-abroad landscape and to make a mark on it, reiterating and positioning itself as an upcoming and leading destination for higher education.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
US shuns foreign students? Hong Kong, China, Japan throw doors open
US doesn't want you? No problem, you're welcome in other countries! This is the message from universities worldwide offering a haven to students affected by President Donald Trump's tough measures on academic institutions. Top universities see a chance to woo global talent and boost their academic revenue as the United States pulls up its drawbridge. Hong Kong opens its doors The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announced on Friday an 'open invitation' to foreign students studying at Harvard or holding confirmed offers. 'As a leading international institution ranked among the top universities globally, HKUST is extending this opportunity to ensure talented students can pursue their educational goals without disruption,' the university said. 'We will provide unconditional offers, streamlined admissions, and academic support to ensure a seamless transition for interested students.' Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee told lawmakers in Cantonese on Thursday: 'Hong Kong will provide full support to our universities, giving \[affected students] the best assistance if they wish to come to Hong Kong.' The city currently has 30,000 places for international students at its eight publicly funded universities. China steps in Xi'an Jiaotong University in China has appealed to students at Harvard, singled out in Trump's crackdown, to join them. 'We cordially invite international students from Harvard University to join our academic community. In these times of change, we are honoured to offer you a stable platform for your academic pursuits,' the university said. Opportunities in Japan Osaka University, ranked among Japan's top institutions, is offering tuition fee waivers, research grants, and help with travel arrangements for students and researchers at US institutions wanting to transfer. Japan's Kyoto University and Tokyo University are also exploring similar schemes. Jessica Turner, CEO of Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a London-based analytics firm that ranks universities globally, said other leading universities in Europe and Asia-Pacific were moving to attract students left in limbo by US policies. 'Germany, France and Ireland are emerging as particularly attractive alternatives in Europe,' she said. 'New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, and mainland China are rising in profile.' Switching schools Chinese students have been particularly targeted in Trump's crackdown. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged on Wednesday to 'aggressively' curb visas for Chinese students. More than 275,000 Chinese students are enrolled in US colleges, fuelling revenue for universities and providing a vital pipeline for tech companies. In 2023, international students – 54% from India and China – contributed more than $50 billion to the US economy, according to the US Department of Commerce. India's Ministry of External Affairs says around 330,000 Indian students were in the US in 2023-24, including roughly 788 at Harvard. The crackdown comes as many young people prepare to head to the US in August to secure accommodation and settle in before term begins. Saurabh Arora, founder and CEO of University Living, told Business Standard, 'The United States remains a top choice for Indian students, thanks to its world-class universities, research opportunities, and professional pathways. However, these developments may prompt families to more carefully weigh their options, especially those prioritising policy consistency and transparency.' Varun Singh, managing director at XIPHIAS Immigration, said, 'Indian students must have a backup plan. They can also apply to countries like Canada, the UK, or Australia to keep options open in case of last-minute disruptions.' Arora added, 'International students contribute more than just tuition. They bring global perspectives that enrich classrooms and research. According to our Indian Student Mobility Report 2024, Indian students are projected to spend $17.4 billion annually, including $10.1 billion on academic expenses alone.' Dai, 24, a Chinese student based in Chengdu, had planned to head to the US for her masters but is now weighing up an offer in Britain. 'The various policies (by the US government) were a slap in my face,' she said, speaking to Reuters on the condition of using only her surname. 'I'm thinking about my mental health and it's possible that I indeed change schools.' British and European Union students are also now more wary of applying to US universities, said Tom Moon, deputy head of consultancy at Oxbridge Applications, which helps students with their applications. Universities UK, which promotes British institutions, said it had seen an uptick in applications from US-based students but noted that it was too early to say if this would translate into more enrolments. Reputational risks Ella Rickets, an 18-year-old first-year student at Harvard from Canada, said she was worried about what might happen if Harvard's ability to enrol foreign students was revoked. 'Around the time I was applying to schools, the only university across the Atlantic I considered was Oxford... However, I realised that I would not be able to afford the international tuition and there was no sufficient scholarship or financial aid available,' she said. If forced to transfer, she would most likely apply to the University of Toronto, she told Reuters. QS said visits to its 'Study in America' online guide have dropped by 17.6% in the past year, with interest from India down by more than half. 'Measurable impacts on enrolment typically emerge within six to 18 months. Reputational effects, however, often linger far longer, particularly where visa uncertainty and shifting work rights play into perceptions of risk versus return,' Turner said. Caleb Thompson, a 20-year-old US student at Harvard who lives with eight international scholars, told Reuters, 'If America turns these brilliant and talented students away, they will find other places to work and study.'
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
For China to be an education power, Hong Kong universities must stay free
China has laid out its most ambitious education road map to date. The Education Power Construction Plan Outline aims to transform the country into a global education powerhouse by 2035. As the mainland's universities climb up global rankings and research output surges, Hong Kong's role in advancing this vision deserves greater attention. Advertisement Amid rising geopolitical tensions – exacerbated by moves such as US universities cutting ties with select Chinese institutions – Hong Kong's globally connected, academically credible universities stand out. They can serve as platforms for international cooperation that maintain legitimacy in both Chinese and Western contexts. The University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology feature among the world's top 100 . But what sets them apart is their ability to operate bilingually, attract global faculty and forge research partnerships across ideological and geopolitical divides. These capabilities have taken on new importance as governments elsewhere reassess academic collaboration with China. Unlike most mainland institutions, Hong Kong's universities offer familiar legal protections, relatively autonomous governance and robust international networks. This makes them uniquely positioned as credible mediators in scientific, technological and cultural exchanges. China's education strategy emphasises cultivating high-level talent and innovation capacity, especially in strategic sectors like artificial intelligence semiconductors and biotechnology. Hong Kong's institutions are already contributing. HKUST , for instance, plays a key role in robotics and digital technology while HKU advances biomedical research. Advertisement Their partnerships with Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport create collaboration channels vital to the Greater Bay Area's ambition of becoming a global innovation hub.
RTHK
3 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
HKUST to research AI impact on business
HKUST to research AI impact on business The University of Science and Technology has launched a research centre to study how technological innovations reshape the business world. Photo: RTHK The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has established a research centre to study how technological innovations like robots and artificial intelligence are creating disruptive changes to the business world and ecosystem. Speaking to RTHK after the centre's launch ceremony on Friday, its director, Professor Hui Kai-lung, said it hopes the research can provide guidance for future developments in the business sector. The centre, he said, has been finalising partnership agreements with a couple of SAR and mainland firms to take part in a study. 'Most likely, the centre is going to start its work by looking at digital platforms and the robotic industry and hardware,' he said. 'If you look at digital platforms, for example, everybody used to think that they are only changing the way how retails were done. "But in fact, if you look at even education, charity, philanthropy or entertainment these days, they are significantly affected by these platforms." On a separate note, Hui, who's also the acting dean of the business and management school, said the school is actively helping the university in its promotional efforts with regards to student admissions and that extends to prospective students of Harvard University. 'We aren't necessarily looking at just Harvard," he said. "If there were talents who are facing difficulties in pursuing their studies, I think it is our duty to provide them with the necessary environment to pursue what they wanted to develop and also to study.' HKUST was the first Hong Kong tertiary institution to openly invite international students from Harvard to continue their studies with it after the Trump administration revoked the Ivy League school's certification to enrol foreign students A US district judge has issued a temporary order to block the move.
NHK
5 days ago
- General
- NHK
Hong Kong chief willing to accept students facing hardship in US
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has expressed a willingness to accept foreign students who are facing difficulties in the United States. His comments came after the US President Donald Trump's administration revoked Harvard University's certification to admit international students. Lee told reporters on Tuesday that "Hong Kong will welcome any students who have been discriminated against by the US policy." He said the Hong Kong government and the University Grants Committee will fully support such students so that they can find a way to study or continue their studies in Hong Kong. He also said the cap on admissions for students from outside Hong Kong has been raised from 20 to 40 percent. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University said they were willing to accept students from institutions, such as Harvard University. These universities said they support transfer students, including offering scholarships and assistance for visas and housing. The Hong Kong government appears to be trying to attract top international talents to restore its image as a global city. Observers say that the territory's reputation has been tarnished by the enforcement of the National Security Law, which aims to crack down on anti-government movements.
