Universities around the world seek to take refuge in students affected by the repression of President Donald Trump against university establishments, targeting the best talents and a slice of billions of dollars in academic income in the United States.
The University of Osaka, one of the best in Japan, offers derogations from tuition fees, research subsidies and aid to travel provisions for students and researchers in American establishments who wish to transfer.
Kyoto Japanese University and Tokyo University are also considering similar programs, while Hong Kong has asked its universities to attract the best talents in the United States. The Chinese University of Xi’an Jiaotong called for Harvard students, distinguished in the repression of Mr. Trump, promising “rationalized” admissions and “full” support.
Mr. Trump’s administration has promulgated massive funding for academic research, reduces visas for foreign students – in particular those in China – and plans to increase taxes on elite schools.
Trump alleys that the best American universities are cradles of anti-American movements. In a spectacular escalation, his administration revoked Harvard’s ability to register foreign students, a move later blocked by a federal judge.
Masaru Ishii, dean of the Graduate School of Medicine of the University of Osaka, described the impact on American universities as “a loss for all humanity”.
Japan aims to increase its number of foreign students to 400,000 in the next decade, against around 337,000 today.
Jessica Turner, CEO of Quacquarelli Symonds, an analytical company based in London that classifies universities around the world, said that other worldly universities in the world wanted to attract uncertain students to go to the United States.
Germany, France and Ireland emerge as particularly attractive alternatives in Europe, she said, while in Asia-Pacific, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and continental China increases in profile.
Change schools
Chinese students were particularly targeted in Mr. Trump’s repression, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, committing to “aggressively” their visas on Wednesday.
More than 275,000 Chinese students are registered in hundreds of American colleges, offering a major source of income for schools and a crucial talent pipeline to American technological companies.
International students – including 54% of India and China – contributed more than $ 50 billion to the US economy in 2023, according to the US trade department.
Mr. Trump’s repression reaches a critical period in the international candidacy process, as many young people are preparing to go to the United States in August to find accommodation and settle before the mandate.
Dai, a Chinese student based in Chengdu, had planned to go to the United States to finish her mastery, but now seriously plans to take an offer in Britain instead.
“The different policies [by the U.S. government] were a slap on my face, “she said, asking to be identified only by her family name for reasons of confidentiality.” I think of my mental health and I may indeed change schools. »»
Students in Great Britain and the European Union are also more hesitant to apply for American universities, said Tom Moon, assistant director of the Council at Oxbridge Applications, who helps students in their university requests.
He said many international students currently registered in American universities are now contacting the Council to discuss the transfer options in Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe.
According to a survey that the Council conducted earlier this week, 54% of its customers said that they were now “less likely” to register in an American university than at the start of the year.
There has been an increase in applications to British universities of potential students in the United States, said Universities UK, an organization that promotes British institutions. However, he warned that it was too early to say if it translates into more students who register.
Reputation effects
Ella Ricketts, first -year student at Harvard from Canada, said that she was receiving a generous aid package paid by school donors and that she is not afraid that she cannot afford other options if she is forced to transfer.
“As I was applying in schools, the only university through the Atlantic that I considered was Oxford …. However, I realized that I would not be able to allow myself international tuition fees and that there was no sufficient scholarship or financial assistance,” she said.
If Harvard’s ability to register foreign students is revoked, it would most likely apply to Toronto University, she said.
The QS analysis company said that the global visits to its online guide “Study in America” decreased by 17.6% in the past year – with the interests of India at only 50%.
“The measurable impacts on registration generally emerge within six to 18 months. Reputation effects, however, often linger much longer, especially when the uncertainty of the visa and changing labor rights take place in the perception of risk compared to the return, “said Ms. Turner de QS.
This risk of reputation and the resulting brain leak could be even more damaging for American establishments than the immediate economic blow of the students who leave.
“If America takes away these brilliant and talented students, they will find other places to work and study,” said Caleb Thompson, an American student at Harvard, who lives with eight international academics.
This story was reported by Reuters.
