Japanese educational institutions in Japan provide admission to students who were previously barred from attending Harvard University.
Pushback against Harvard University's foreign student ban is gaining momentum, especially in Asia. Japanese universities, following the footsteps of other Asian educational institutions, have started to extend a helping hand to Japanese students affected by the issue.
At a press conference, Education, Culture, Science, Sports, and Technology Minister Toshiko Abe confirmed that 90 national universities in Japan are temporarily accepting registrations from approximately 110 Japanese students who were registered at Harvard University. Due to the measures implemented by the Donald Trump administration, these students will be unable to continue their studies.
Some of the universities offering assistance include public institutions like the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and the University of Science in the Japanese capital, alongside private universities such as Kyoto's Ritsumeikan University.
- Asian Solidarity Around the Ban
Asian universities have been actively responding to the ban on foreign students at Harvard University. Universities in China and Hong Kong have even started extending invitations to students rejected by the world's top power.
Hong Kong
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has issued an open invitation to Harvard students, offering unconditional admissions, streamlined procedures, and academic support. They've set up a dedicated team and hotline for prospective students. City University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University are also extending support to international students, inviting them to continue their education in Hong Kong.
Malaysia
Sunway University in Malaysia has welcomed Harvard international students to transfer immediately. It has a partnership with Arizona State University, enabling students to transfer their credits to either ASU or a Sunway University degree program.
- Trump's Controversial Ban
Last month, Trump issued an order to suspend the registration of foreign students at Harvard University, which makes up a quarter of its student body. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it will not allow the institution to enroll foreign students and that those already enrolled at the university will have to transfer to another school or face expulsion from the country. This was in retaliation for Harvard's refusal to provide data on foreign students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests.
Harvard took the case to court and has so far succeeded in getting a district court judge to temporarily block Trump's ban. With the situation unfolding, it appears that several Asian universities are stepping up to support those affected by the U.S. government's decision.
- Asian Solidarity Around the Ban Expands to General News:
General news sources have reported that universities in South Korea and India are also considering offering assistance to the affected students, mirroring the solidarity shown by Asian universities. This move is seen as a response to Trump's controversial ban on foreign students at Harvard University.
- Indian Support for Affected Students
In a statement, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) expressed their willingness to assist the displaced students from Harvard University, stating that they are open to discussing potential admissions and academic support. The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) in Delhi have also voiced their interest in supporting the students affected by the ban.
