Japan and Hong Kong Move to Attract Harvard Students Displaced by Trump

Japan: "Japanese Universities Will Accept International Students Forced to Suspend Studies"
Hong Kong: "Welcome to Study in Hong Kong"

Following the Trump administration's attempt to block foreign student enrollment at Harvard University and its demand for the disclosure of lists and nationalities of foreign students on campus, Japan and Hong Kong have begun preparations to attract talented individuals who have been excluded as a result of these hardline measures.

Harvard University campus in the US. Photo by AP Yonhap News

According to Kyodo News on the 27th, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has requested universities to consider support measures, such as accepting Harvard international students who are forced to suspend their studies due to the US policy blocking foreign student enrollment. The plan is to include not only Japanese but also Harvard international students from other countries as eligible for admission to Japanese universities.

Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Toshiko Abe, stated at a press conference on the same day, "We intend to work in cooperation with relevant organizations to ensure learning opportunities for motivated and talented young people." Specific support measures will be announced after the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), an independent administrative institution under the ministry, collects opinions from each university.

Previously, the University of Tokyo announced that it was considering a plan to temporarily accept Harvard international students so that they can continue their studies. Specifically, the university is reportedly reviewing measures to allow Harvard international students to audit certain classes and to issue certificates of completion that would enable them to receive credit when returning to Harvard or transferring to another university in the future.

The Hong Kong government is also responding quickly to attract Harvard international students. According to China Central Television (CCTV), Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced that, together with eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities, including the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, they would support international students in continuing their studies in Hong Kong. He emphasized, "Anyone who faces difficulties studying at US universities due to American policies is welcome to study in Hong Kong."

Chief Executive Lee stated, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will maintain contact and cooperation with the Harvard alumni association," and added, "We have already raised the admission quota for non-local students from 20% to 40%, and if necessary, we will consider increasing this ratio further."

Meanwhile, on the 22nd (local time), the Trump administration notified Harvard University of the cancellation of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. SEVP is a program managed by the Department of Homeland Security that oversees student visas, and universities must be certified by SEVP to issue documents such as the I-20 certificate of eligibility to international students. However, two days later, on the 23rd, a local court accepted Harvard's request for a preliminary injunction to suspend the effect of the certification cancellation, allowing Harvard's international students and exchange visitors holding visas to maintain their residency status during the trial period.