Hong Kong is set to open its universities to international students affected by Donald Trump’s new policy, which bars them from attending Harvard University.
On Friday, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Education, Christine Choi, urged the city’s universities to welcome “exceptional students from around the world.”
“In response to the US student admission policy, the Education Bureau (EDB) has called on all Hong Kong universities to offer support measures for eligible students,” said Choi in a statement.
Donald Trump’s administration announced on Thursday that it is banning Harvard from admitting foreign students from the next academic year, accusing the university of antisemitic complacency and links to the Chinese Communist Party.
While a US judge has temporarily blocked this measure, many international students remain uncertain. Hong Kong universities will be allowed to raise the cap on the number of foreign students they admit, according to Choi.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has already invited international students enrolled at Harvard to continue their studies at HKUST. The university promises “streamlined admissions procedures and academic support for a smooth transition,” according to a statement.
Harvard is ranked number one in the latest US News and World Report global university rankings, while HKUST is 105th out of more than 2,000 institutions.
