Hong Kong opens Universities to International Students after Decision against Harvard

The Hong Kong government has announced its intention to open its universities to a greater number of international students, with a focus on supporting students affected by the US administration's decision to ban Harvard University from enrolling international students.

International students at US universities contribute significantly to the US economy, with their total expenditure reaching approximately $43.8 billion during the 2023/24 academic year.

This escalation comes amid the ongoing conflict between US President Donald Trump and the prestigious university, amid growing tensions between Washington and Beijing over trade and other issues. 

Harvard has approximately 1,300 Chinese students, representing about one-fifth of the university's international student body, according to university statistics.

 In a statement issued on Friday, Hong Kong's Secretary for Education, Christine Choi, called on local universities to provide support and facilities to international students affected by the US admissions policy.

She explained that universities are using government measures that allow for the relaxation of restrictions on the number of international students to attract more students to the city.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has invited international students enrolled at or accepted to Harvard to pursue their studies at HKUST, stressing that it will provide unconditional offers of admission, simplified enrollment procedures, and academic support to facilitate a smooth transition.

Trump is known to criticize the university for its refusal to allow his administration to oversee admissions and hiring policies, accusing it of being a breeding ground for anti-Semitic and ultra-liberal ideologies.

A US judge has issued a temporary stay of Harvard's ban on international students, deeming the administration's decision unlawful after the university filed a lawsuit challenging the measure. US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem accused the university of "promoting violence and anti-Semitic hatred and collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party on campus."