Japan, China, Hong Kong Aid Students Hit by US Academic Crackdown

• Asian universities like Osaka, HKUST, and Xi'an Jiaotong help students affected by US visa and funding policies.
• HKUST offers unconditional admission and easy transfer options for Harvard students.
• Asian schools are welcoming international students seeking stability amid US policy changes.

As worries rise over hardline policies that the Trump administration has taken against academic institutions, several prestigious universities in Asia are taking steps to offer options to international students impacted by these policies.

The most recent policy actions taken by the US government, including cuts to research funding and visas, potential tax increases, and many others, have raised alarms in the global academic community and increased unease, particularly among foreign students, especially Chinese students, experiencing uncertainty regarding their studies in the United States.

Recognizing this change, universities in Japan, Hong Kong, and China are starting to provide alternatives for students looking for stability. Osaka University in Japan is offering support for academics, and also for students who want to transfer from US universities, which involves research funds, travel aid, and tuition-fee waivers. The University of Tokyo and Kyoto University are considering a similar scheme.

Universities in Hong Kong have been urged to more aggressively recruit high-achieving international students who have been impacted by the changing policies in the US. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has provided unconditional admission offers to international applicants at or who have received admissions offers from Harvard University.

HKUST’s provost, Professor Guo Yike, underscored the institution’s commitment to diversity and global collaboration. “Diversity fuels creativity and progress,” he said, adding that the university is prepared to offer a seamless transition, including credit transfers, expedited admissions, accommodation support, and visa assistance.

At the same time, Xi'an Jiaotong University in China has publicly offered a fast-tracked admission and all required support to Harvard students.

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These events come after a strained standoff between Harvard University and the federal government. The Ivy League university's capacity to admit international students was briefly halted last week, a ruling subsequently reversed by a federal judge. Harvard has now initiated a lawsuit, claiming that the administration's measures may displace almost a fourth of its student body and jeopardize the nation's standing as a global leader in education.

While international students consider their choices, universities throughout Asia are explicitly indicating that they are prepared to embrace those seeking academic stability and institutional assistance. HKUST has established a specific email address (hkust-Harvard@ust.hk) to help students who are looking to transition.