Latest news with #HarvardBan
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Don't Want Troublemakers': Trump Wants Foreign Student Cap at Harvard; Indian Aspirants Furious
Indian students have reacted sharply to US President Donald Trump's move to stall students visa and capping number of foreign students in top US universities like Harvard. US President Donald Trump has proposed a 15% cap on foreign students at Harvard University, sparking backlash from international communities. Citing concerns about "radical elements," Trump also demanded Harvard disclose its international student list. Indian students and academic voices have slammed the move, calling it discriminatory and harmful to global education values. A federal judge is set to review the proposed policy.#DonaldTrump #HarvardBan #ForeignStudentCap #IndianStudents #StudentVisaCrisis #IvyLeaguePolitics #HarvardControversy #USImmigration #EducationBan #TrumpPolicy #toibharat Read More
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Hong Kong targets ‘top talent' as Harvard faces international student ban
Hong Kong's education bureau has called on the city's universities to 'attract top talent' by opening their doors to those affected by the Trump administration's attempt to ban Harvard from enrolling international students. Last week the Trump administration revoked Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, effectively banning the university from accepting foreign students. A US federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked the government from enforcing the ban, which would have reportedly forced students currently enrolled and not graduating this year to transfer to another institution or lose their legal status and visa. Harvard has launched legal action, but it has done little to assuage concerns among students thrown into limbo. Experts have warned the US the ban could be a boon for foreign institutions looking to attract talent. On Monday Hong Kong's education bureau said it had 'promptly called on all universities in Hong Kong to introduce facilitation measures for those eligible with a view to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of students and scholars, and to attract top talent'. The Hong Kong Science and Technology University announced on Friday an open invitation to any affected foreign students, offering a place to those forced to leave Harvard as well as those with confirmed offers. 'The university will provide unconditional offers, streamlined admission procedures, and academic support to facilitate a seamless transition for interested students,' it said. Hong Kong is home to five of the world's top 100 universities, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, however in recent years they have been made to integrate national security and patriotic themes into studies, after China's ruling Communist party tightened its grip on the semi-autonomous city. More than 2,000 students from Asia are currently enrolled at Harvard, with an unknown number accepted and waiting to start. 'A lot of people in east Asia have some sort of fantasy and feel the prestige of Harvard,' said Taiwanese student Chu, who asked that his real name not be published. Chu was expecting to start a Masters in Science in August, and has already paid about $3,000 in visa and accommodation fees, and deferred his hospital residency for a year 'I either stick with Harvard or I just go back to my residency training,' he said. 'There's no other alternative I have.' In a lawsuit filed against the Trump administrations attempted ban, Harvard said the move would immediately blunt its competitiveness in attracting the world's top students. 'In our interconnected global economy, a university that cannot welcome students from all corners of the world is at a competitive disadvantage', it said, adding foreign students were 'a key factor' in the college maintaining its standing in academia. The vast majority of Harvard's foreign students – about 1,200 currently studying – are from China. On China's Xiao Hong Shu app, a Chinese masters student from Sichuan, said she had given talks to campus classmates about unequal access to education in her home country. 'As a fresh graduate studying abroad in the US for the first time, I've overcome a lot to get here,' she said. 'But when the hammer came down today, it was the first time I truly realised just how small I am.' A spokesperson for China's ministry of foreign affairs, Mao Ning, said on Friday that China 'opposed the politicisation of educational cooperation', and warned the move would 'harm the image and international standing of the United States'. On the social media platform Weibo, a series of related hashtags, including 'Trump is destroying Harvard', saw more than 200 million interactions, including many viewing it as the latest skirmish between the US and China. Among the reasons cited by the Trump administration for revoking Harvard's program was an accusation that it fostered 'coordinating with the Chinese Communist party on its campus'. Additional research by Jason Tzu Kuan Lu and Lillian Yang
CNA
26-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Hong Kong urges universities to facilitate students after Harvard ban
HONG KONG: Hong Kong's Education Bureau said that it had called on universities in the Chinese territory to attract top talent following a ban on Harvard University enrolling foreign students. United States President Donald Trump's administration revoked Harvard University's ability to enrol international students and is forcing current foreign students to transfer to other schools or lose their legal status. The ban, effective for the 2025 to 2026 school year, comes as the administration said Harvard fostered antisemitism and coordinated with the Chinese Communist Party. Chinese nationals make up about a fifth of Harvard's foreign student intake in 2024. "The Education Bureau has promptly called on all universities in Hong Kong to introduce facilitation measures for those eligible with a view to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of students and scholars, and to attract top talent," the bureau said in an emailed statement. The bureau has contacted the Harvard Club of Hong Kong to offer support for students who have been admitted to Harvard for further studies. "We will continue to keep a close eye on the needs of students whose studies have been affected by the shifting global education landscape," it said, adding that it would consider support measures as part of the city's role as an "international education hub." Hong Kong, a former British colony with a population of 7.5 million, has five universities in the top 100 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and was until recently regarded as one of Asia's freest academic arenas. Schools and universities in the financial hub are now obliged to integrate national security and patriotic themes into their teaching, bringing them closer in line with education in mainland China. Hong Kong's University of Science and Technology (HKUST) on Friday (May 23) announced an open invitation to international undergraduate and postgraduate students at Harvard University, as well as those holding confirmed offers to continue their studies at HKUST. "The university will provide unconditional offers, streamlined admission procedures, and academic support to facilitate a seamless transition for interested students."
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Inside Princess Elisabeth's first year at Harvard as Belgian royal's future at Ivy League university remains uncertain amid Trump's war on international students
The academic future of Belgian's future Queen Princess Elisabeth hangs in the balance amid Donald Trump 's battle with Harvard University, after the US president sought to ban foreign students from the prestigious university. While a federal judge has temporarily blocked Trump's ban after Harvard sued the government, the Belgian Palace will be closely monitoring the situation stateside as the date for Princess Elisabeth's return to Boston inches closer. On Thursday, the American president revoked Harvard's ability to enroll international students, sparking widespread unrest for its 6,800 foreign students, among them the future Queen of Belgium. Hailed as one of the brightest European royals, Elisabeth, 23, now faces the very real possibility of losing her studentship and being forced to return to her home country before completing her Master's Degree at the Ivy League university. Asked to comment on the the ban, a spokesperson for the Palace said it was 'analysing' the situation until 'things 'settle down - but the prospect of not returning to Harvard is likely to be upsetting for Elisabeth, especially after what appears to have been a triumphant first year at the college. In photos shared on the Belgian royal family's official Instagram page last September, Elisabeth appeared excited to settle into her all-American life amid reports she was already a highly sought-after companion among her peers. The Princess, who completed her undergraduate degree at Oxford University, is currently enrolled in a two-year Master's program in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. Away from her royal duties, Elisabeth embraced life as a student as she was pictured on the first day of term wearing an understated, yet chic, ensemble - complete with sneakers - in portraits shared by the Palace. Hailed as one of the brightest royals, Elisabeth now faces uncertainty about what lies ahead, with a very real possibility of losing her studentship and being forced to return to her home country before earning her diploma For her first day back to school, Elisabeth opted to wear a pair of £210 wide leg trousers and burnt orange vest - both from the American brand Tommy Hilfiger - as she was pictured with a stack of books under one arm. She completed the look with a pair of £110 Adidas GT Sneakerstuff trainers in shades of green. Wearing her brunette tresses in natural waves, Elisabeth opted for minimal makeup for the occasion. The royal, who's parents are King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, enrolled at the institution under the name 'Elisabeth de Saxe-Coburg' at Harvard Kennedy School. The palace told Brussels Times: 'The Princess was also selected for an 'Honorary Award' from the Fullbright Program, the US Department of State's international educational exchange programme. ' According to the university's website, the course aims to cultivate student's skills in preparation for them having a 'successful career in public service'. So admired for her cerebral prowess, Princess Elisabeth has been touted as being one of the most intelligent royals - arguably surpassing Meghan Markle who was once dubbed the 'cleverest' of them. Not long after enrolling at the institution, the Princess celebrated her 23rd birthday, with the Palace releasing a series of sweet snaps to mark the occasion. Beaming towards the camera, Elisabeth wore a stylish in set from ba&sh, including a £240 short-sleeved vest with a jacquard pattern and a matching £230 midi skirt. The royal ditched a high-society snapper and had a fellow student called Max Bueno take the images - a scholarship student studying at the same school as Elisabeth. Max, a professional photographer, also documented the royal's first day at school in the official portraits shared by the Belgian Palace last September. According to HLN News, Elisabeth, had settled in well at her new American school because, perhaps unsurprisingly, 'quite a few people want to be her friend'. And proving her academic ability has never a struggle for Elisabeth, who only last year completed her studies at Oxford last year. Last summer, Princess Elisabeth thanked the University of Oxford for three 'wonderful' years. She first moved to the UK in the autumn of 2021 to start her History and Politics undergraduate course at Lincoln College. Fiercely dedicated to not receiving special treatment thanks to her status, Elisabeth completed her entrance exam for Oxford 'anonymously' to ensure her royal status would not affect her chances of being offered a place, reported the Belgian newspaper Le Soir. Elisabeth graduated in three years with a degree in History and Politics, something she reportedly chose because she felt it would be most useful to her in her role as Queen later in life. After Elisabeth finished her studies in England, she took part in various engagements throughout the summer with her parents. An accomplished 23-year-old by any measure, the official royal website says Elisabeth enjoys walking in nature, reading and playing the piano – although like 'all youngsters her age', writes the palace, 'her taste in music is varied.' Elisabeth - who speaks Dutch, French, German, English, and has also taken classes in Mandarin Chinese - began attending royal engagements from a young age and was just nine when she delivered a speech at the opening of the Princess Elisabeth Children's Hospital. Trump's decision to ban international students from the country could have serious repercussions for the Princess royal, who was expecting to return for her second year at the prestigious college later this year. In a statement responding to reports of the ban, the Belgian Palace said it was waiting for the situation to 'settle'. 'Princess Elisabeth has just completed her first year. The impact of [the Trump administration's] decision will only become clearer in the coming days/weeks. We are currently investigating the situation,' said a spokesperson for the Belgian royal palace, Lore Vandoorne. 'We are analysing this at the moment and will let things settle. A lot can still happen in the coming days and weeks,' the Palace's communication director, Xavier Baert, told the Associated Press. The prestigious school enrolls almost 6,800 foreign students at its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which makes up for more than a quarter of its student body - the majority of those being graduate students. The threat to Harvard's international enrollment stems from request in April from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who demanded that Harvard provide information about foreign students that might implicate them in violence or protests that could lead to their deportation. Noem said Harvard can regain its ability to host foreign students if it produces a trove of records on foreign students within 72 hours. Harvard is filing for a temporary restraining order while awaiting the formal court case. This case is separate from the Trump administration's attempt to ban federal funding from the school.
CNA
24-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Hong Kong's education secretary calls on local universities to offer support to Harvard international students
HONG KONG: Hong Kong authorities have urged local tertiary education institutions to offer support for Harvard University students whose dreams have been dashed after the United States barred the Ivy League school from enrolling international candidates, many of whom are from mainland China. At least five local universities on Friday invited those affected by the bombshell move to apply, while an education consultant said it had received calls from distraught parents of 'furious' children who had been accepted at Harvard. According to US authorities, current international students at the university must also either transfer or leave the country. The US Department of Homeland Security cited the university's alleged 'coordinated activity' with the Communist Party of China as part of the reasoning for the ban, which marks a sharp escalation of the row between the Trump administration and the Massachusetts-based global leader in education. Just before midnight, US media reported that a federal judge had blocked the Trump administration's move. Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin called on local universities to step up by attracting talent and building the city's 'study in Hong Kong' brand. 'In response to the ban on Harvard University recruiting international students, the Education Bureau has immediately contacted local universities to call on them to take proactive action,' she said in a social media post. Choi said the government had contacted a local Harvard alumni association to provide 'comprehensive support' to students who had been admitted to the university. She also said Hong Kong universities should make use of relaxed quotas on non-local student intake to attract top candidates. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology [HKUST] announced on Friday it was 'opening its doors to Harvard students amid global academic shifts' by expediting admissions and credit transfers, as well as prioritising support for students making the transition, such as help with visas and housing. A special team and an email hotline have been set up for prospective students affected by the surprise ban. 'Diversity fuels creativity and progress,' HKUST's provost, Professor Guo Yike, said. 'We are prepared to welcome Harvard students into our community, offering them the resources and vibrant environment needed to thrive in their fields.' The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) said on Friday it was committed to promoting internationalisation by recruiting outstanding students from around the world and providing them with comprehensive support. This past Tuesday, CUHK president Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming said his team would explore ways to provide additional research subsidies to attract foreign scholars who were leaving the United States. City University also said it was 'extending support to international students facing academic disruption, inviting them to continue their education in Hong Kong'. The university said it would invite the original supervisors of PhD students to serve as co-supervisors, ensuring continuity and academic quality. Baptist University said it had always been committed to internationalisation and recruited outstanding non-local students. It added it would provide necessary support to the relevant students based on the actual circumstances. Polytechnic University said it invited students who had received admission offers from Harvard or were currently enrolled in the school or other top US universities to consider the Hong Kong education institution for continuing their undergraduate or postgraduate studies. It said its admissions team would provide comprehensive support and guidance for transfer students, including scholarships, to help them smoothly navigate the move. The Post has contacted the other publicly funded universities in Hong Kong for comment. Samuel Chan Sze-ming, managing partner at Britannia StudyLink, a company specialising in placements at elite schools, said he had received multiple calls from parents of prospective Harvard applicants and some who had already been accepted. 'These kids have gone through hoops and have prepared their applications to top-notch states and to get an entry is very, very difficult,' Chan said. 'Today, they realise that they cannot start the programme. It's hugely disappointing and many of the students are furious.' Chan recommended parents start looking at other leading universities in the states and Britain, such as Oxbridge and Imperial College London The Department of Homeland Security said that 'Harvard's leadership has created an unsafe campus environment by permitting anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators' to assault Jewish students on campus and reiterated its accusation of 'coordinated activity' between the university and the Communist Party. Harvard on Friday filed a lawsuit seeking to reverse the ban, which is expected to affect more than 5,600 foreign students who make up about a quarter of its student population. According to Harvard, there were 57 students from Hong Kong and 1,282 from the mainland in the 2024-25 academic year. In his policy address last year, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the government would establish a 'Study in Hong Kong' brand to help turn the city into an international tertiary education hub and push for hotels and commercial buildings to be transformed into student hostels.
