The Trump administration's decision to revoke Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Programme certification has sparked heated debates among international students and educators. The university, which boasts a student body comprising over a quarter of international students, is at the center of this storm.
According to Craig Riggs, a seasoned expert in international education, families should exercise caution when making decisions about their children's educational futures. This move affected nearly 6,800 foreign students, leaving many in a state of uncertainty about their academic futures.
Nuguse, an aspiring economist from Ethiopia who had been accepted to Harvard, is among those affected by this decision. Despite receiving acceptance letters from Columbia University and Amherst College as well, Nuguse hopes to attend Harvard despite the visa uncertainty. However, he may not have a choice, as the administration's stance on May 29 gave Harvard only 30 days to contest the decision.
The university's lawyers argue that revoking student visas would be an "unprecedented and retaliatory attack" on academic freedom. This move is seen as a response to the administration's earlier decision to terminate nearly $3 billion in federal research funding, which was met with accusations of retaliation against Harvard for refusing to comply with demands to control governance, curriculum, and faculty ideology.
Harvard President Alan Garber has denied claims of bias against conservatives and fostering antisemitism on campus. The university's reputation as a hub for academic excellence and diversity is at stake, and the consequences of this controversy could be far-reaching.