Spanish
Hong Kong.- Hong Kong authorities urged local higher education institutions to provide support to students from the Harvard University following the recent ban on enrolling foreign students announced by the Donald Trump administration.
At least five local Hong Kong universities have opened their doors to these students, inviting them to submit applications since last Friday.
An educational consultancy also reported an increase in calls from "distressed parents" due to the "anger" of their children, who had been accepted to Harvard, reports the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post today.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security justified the ban by pointing to the university's alleged "coordinated activity" with the Chinese Communist Party, thus marking a significant escalation in the dispute between the Trump administration and the renowned Massachusetts educational institution.
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However, a federal judge in Boston, Massachusetts, temporarily blocked the decision by the Trump administration to stop the enrollment of foreign students.
Nevertheless, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announced that it will "unconditionally" admit affected students, extending its invitation to all international undergraduates and postgraduates currently enrolled at Harvard, as well as those who have received offers of admission, to continue at its institution.
They will explore ways to provide subsidies
HKUST is committed to prioritizing application review, credit transfer, and offering personalized support, including visa and accommodation assistance.
The president of the Chinese University in the city, Dennis Lo, has also pointed out that his team will explore ways to provide subsidies to attract foreign academics who have to leave the United States.
Likewise, Baptist University reaffirmed its commitment to internationalization, highlighting its work in recruiting outstanding foreign students. The institution assured that it will provide the necessary support to those affected, adapting to the specific circumstances of each case.
For its part, the Polytechnic University has invited those who have received admission offers from Harvard or who are enrolled in US territory, committing to offer comprehensive support in the transfer process, including guidance and scholarships.
Hong Kong's Secretary for Education, Christine Choi, has also urged universities in the former British colony to welcome “outstanding students from all over the world.”
In a statement, Choi highlighted on Friday that, “for international students affected by the U.S. admission policy, the Education Department (EDB) requested all institutions to implement facilitation measures for those who meet the requirements.”
The official mentioned the recent Harvard ban on admitting international students, underlining the need for local academic centers to take advantage of government measures, including the relaxation of the maximum limits on foreign students, to attract more young people.
For her part, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed her firm opposition to the politicization of academic exchanges, warning that such actions damage the international image of the United States.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to "protecting the legitimate rights of Chinese students and scholars abroad", underlining the need to maintain a conducive environment for educational exchange.
