Why Trump's escalating war on Harvard, other US universities could progressively dent American academic leadership, impact economy
A legal reprieve notwithstanding, US President Donald Trump's escalating attacks on educational institutions such as Harvard University and the targeting of foreign student could be 'a prescription for failure'.
The revocation of Harvard's certification to host international students on Thursday left thousands of students in the lurch. And while students and the Ivy League university, both, face concerns ranging from transferring to another institution to financial pain due to blocked government grants, the US economy will face a blowback too, especially if the Trump administration's crackdown spreads to other elite academic institutions.
The number of international students at Harvard steadily increased to 6,793 in the 2024-25 academic year from 3,941 in 2006-07, accounting for over 27 per cent of total enrollments currently, as per data from the university. Of course, the numbers are even larger if one looks beyond Harvard.
In 2023-24, the number of international students in the US in higher education rose to 11.3 lakh, making up 5.9 per cent of total US enrollment of 1.89 crore, according to the Open Doors 2004 report, published in November 2024 by the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education. Harvard, as it turns out, did not even rank in the top-25 institutions in terms of international students, with New York University topping the list with 27,247 overseas students. India, with 3.32 lakh international students in the US, was the top-sending country for the first time since 2009.
On Friday, Harvard sued the Trump administration for blocking the enrollment of international students – who it said 'contribute significantly to the University and its mission' – and won a temporary restraining order against the government's decision to revoke its certification. As the University petitioned in its lawsuit, 'with the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard's student body.'
The million-plus overseas students in American higher education institutions are also adding meaningfully to the economy. In the 2023-24 academic year, they contributed $43.8 billion to the US economy and supported 3.78 lakh jobs, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, formerly known as National Association of Foreign Student Advisers.
'The economic activity total is the highest amount ever calculated by NAFSA, eclipsing the high-water mark of $41 billion in 2018-2019 academic year,' the association said in November 2024, adding that for every three international students, one American job is either created or supported.
As it turns out, international students had begun to grow cold towards the US even before the Trump administration's recent criticism of Harvard and policies that have cut back research and science funding. According to an analysis of Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) data by Chris R. Glass, a Professor of the Practice at Boston College's Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education, international student enrollments were down 11% year-on-year in March 2025.
According to Glass, the fall in international student enrollments could represent 'a more fundamental restructuring', with the 11% decline potentially causing a $4 billion hole in the pockets of US institutions. Glass' analysis showed the 11% downturn was led by a 28% fall in Indian students. The Indian Express had reported in December 2024 that the number of student visas issued to Indians in January-September 2024 were down 38% year-on-year.
Others, too, have begun to voice concerns about the prospect of the US attracting fewer overseas students. Speaking at a tech summit in San Francisco earlier this week, renowned artificial intelligence researcher and Stanford University's Sequoia Professor in the Computer Science Department, Fei-Fei Li, warned it was important the US remains a 'magnet' for overseas talent and that the American higher education system continues to be nourished as it was critical to economic growth and innovation.
'Closing yourself off from any group, and especially the 97% of the world's population that lives outside the United States is a prescription for failure. Damaged universities mean less prosperity and fewer new ideas, ranging from the golf tee to Sesame Street to transplantation to stem cell cures for diabetes to so many more things that came from Harvard research. No small part of that contribution came from foreign scholars. All of that is at risk with these actions,' former Harvard University President Larry Summers, who has been a regular critic of his old university but has enthusiastically defended the educational institution after Trump's recurrent attacks, said in a conversation with Politico on Thursday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
'When this president speaks, the world should listen': US briefs on Iran strikes codenamed 'Midnight Hammer'
The United States defence department on Sunday briefed the media on Operation 'Midnight Hammer', confirming its success in "obliterating" Iran's nuclear ambitions. It informed that US military conducted targeted strikes at Iran's nuclear sites in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz and the operation was being planned for "months". US secretary of defence, Pete Hegseth, categorically hinted at Donald Trump's warnings against Iran's possession of nuclear weapon and said, "When this President speaks, the world should listen, and the US military, we can back it up." "When POTUS says 60 days that he seeks peace and negotiation, he means 60 days of peace and negotiation. Otherwise, that nuclear program, that nuclear capability will not exist. This is not the previous administration. President Trump said no nukes. He seeks peace and Iran should take that path," he added. Follow live updates on Iran-Israel crisis Here are key points from the briefing: Successful strikes: US defense secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed successful precision strikes on Iran's Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear facilities, ordered by US President Trump. Strategic planning: The operation was the result of months and weeks of planning and coordination, particularly with Israel, indicating it was not a spontaneous decision. Coordinated effort with Israel: Hegseth credited Israel as a key ally in the operation, acknowledging their role in the joint preparation and execution of the mission. Mission objective: The goal was to destroy or severely degrade Iran's nuclear program; Hegseth said the mission 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear ambitions. No regime change goal: Hegseth clarified that the mission was not aimed at regime change in Iran. No civilian targets: The operation specifically avoided targeting Iranian troops or civilians. Clear deterrence message: The operation was intended to reassert American deterrence and demonstrate that the US will act swiftly and decisively to protect its people, interests, and partners. Trump's longstanding warning: Hegseth emphasized Trump has warned Iran for over a decade against developing nuclear weapons, asserting this operation fulfilled that stance. Military strength: He highlighted the operation as proof of America's unmatched military capability and restored global deterrence. 'Bunker busters' used: The strike featured the longest B-2 Spirit bomber mission since 2001 and marked the first operational use of the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) — a powerful bunker-busting bomb designed to target deeply buried facilities. Iran's reaction: Iran condemned the strikes as illegal and vowed to continue its nuclear program despite the attack.
India.com
31 minutes ago
- India.com
No Nukes For Iran...: US Defence Secy Hails Spectacular Military Success After Airstrikes
Israel-Iran Conflict: After the United States struck Iran's nuclear sites in Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, amid tensions with Israel, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth stated that the strikes were "an incredible and overwhelming success." He also added that United States President Donald Trump has consistently said for over a decade that Iran must not get a nuclear weapon. "Last night, on President Trump's orders, US Central Command conducted a precision strike in the middle of the night against three nuclear facilities in Iran, Fordeau, Natanz, and Isfahan, in order to destroy or severely degrade Iran's nuclear program. It was an incredible and overwhelming success," Hegseth said. "The order we received from our commander in chief was focused, it was powerful, and it was clear that we had devastated the Iranian nuclear program. It's worth noting the operation did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people..." he added. #WATCH | US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth says "Last night, on President Trump's orders, US Central Command conducted a precision strike in the middle of the night against three nuclear facilities in Iran, Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, in order to destroy or severely degrade… — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2025 Trump On Iran's Nuclear "For the entirety of his time in office, President Trump has consistently stated for over 10 years that Iran must not get a nuclear weapon, full stop. Thanks to President Trump's bold and visionary leadership and his commitment to peace through strength, Iran's nuclear ambitions have been obliterated. Many Presidents have dreamed of delivering the final blow to Iran's nuclear program, and none could until President Trump," the US Secretary of Defence said. On the other hand, in his first public remarks since the 'precision' strikes in Iran, Trump warned that he could order further action if Tehran does not agree to a satisfactory peace agreement. In his address to the nation from the White House on Saturday (local time), the US President said, 'There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran, far greater than we've witnessed over the last eight days.' Trump thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said, 'I want to thank Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. We worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before, and we've gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel.' Top brass of the US political leadership stood beside US President Trump as he delivered the remarks, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth. Trump's announcement comes just two days after saying he had opened a two-week window for diplomacy. Israel-Iran Conflict The conflict between Israel and Iran entered its ninth day on Saturday, with the US launching strikes on the latter. The conflict started after Jerusalem, on June 13, launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, codenamed 'Operation Rising Lion.' In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a large-scale drone and missile operation, 'Operation True Promise 3', targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres. On Saturday (local time) US bombed the three Iranian nuclear facilities, after which several world leaders have weighed in on the continued tensions.
United News of India
31 minutes ago
- United News of India
IAEA convenes emergency meeting following US attacks on three Nuclear sites in Iran
New Delhi, June 22 (UNI) The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has convened an emergency meeting on Monday in the light of the urgent situation in Iran and has confirmed that ''no increase'' in off-site radiation levels had been reported following US attacks on three nuclear sites. ''In the light of the urgent situation in Iran, I am convening an emergency meeting of the oard of Governors for tomorrow,'' IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said on X. ''Following attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran - including Fordow - the IAEA can confirm that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of this time,'' the IAEA said. However, IAEA would provide further assessments on situation in Iran as more information becomes available, it said. The IAEA said a large nuclear complex in Esfahan has been targeted for a second time during Israel's attacks on Iran over the past nine days, with several more buildings struck. Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that his country had carried out ''precision strikes'' on three nuclear facilities - Fordow, Esfahan and Natanz. "Our objective was destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and put a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's number one State sponsor of terror. I can report to the world that the strikes were spectacular, military success. The nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated," said Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "With the awesome and righteous might of the United States, in tonight's actions against Iran's nuclear facilities America has been unsurpassed. It has done what no other country on earth could do. History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapon. President Trump and I offered peace through strength. First comes strength and then comes peace,' Netanyahu said. The IAEA DG had said in a report to the UN Security Council on Saturday that attacks on nuclear sites in Iran had caused a sharp degradation in nuclear safety and security in that country. However, although they had not so far led to a radiological release affecting the public, there is a danger this could occur. The US attacked three nuclear sites in Iran -- Fordow, Esfahan and Natanz. The Natanz enrichment site contains two facilities. The first is the main Fuel Enrichment Plant. Initial attacks on June 13 targeted and destroyed electricity infrastructure at the facility, including an electrical sub-station, the main electric power supply building, and emergency power supply and back-up generators. On the same day, the main cascade hall appears to have been attacked using ground-penetrating munitions. The second facility at Natanz is the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant. It consists of aboveground and underground cascade halls. On June 13 the above-ground part was functionally destroyed and the strikes on the underground cascade halls were seriously damaging. The level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site has remained unchanged and at normal levels, indicating no external radiological impact on the population or the environment. However, within the Natanz facility there is both radiological and chemical contamination. It is possible that Uranium isotopes contained in Uranium Hexafluoride, Uranyl Fluoride and Hydrogen Fluoride are dispersed inside the facility. The radiation, primarily consisting of alpha particles, poses a significant danger if inhaled or ingested. This risk can be effectively managed with appropriate protective measures, such as using respiratory devices. The main concern inside the facility is chemical toxicity. Fordow is Iran's main enrichment location for enriching uranium to 60 percent. The Agency is not aware of any damage at Fordow at this time. At the Esfahan nuclear site, four buildings were damaged in last Friday's attack: the central chemical laboratory, a uranium conversion plant, the Tehran reactor-fuel manufacturing plant, and the enriched uranium metal processing facility, which was under construction.
