Latest news with #SEVP
Mint
a day ago
- Business
- Mint
Ashoka University opens special window for students reluctant to go to the US
MUMBAI : Ashoka University has opened a 'special admission" round for students who secured admissions in the US-based colleges but are reluctant to move to the US amid the Trump administration's crackdown on campus protests. Analysts expect other private universities to follow suit as the Haryana-based private university claims to have received 'significant interest" from this group of students. 'This announcement has generated significant interest among students who had initially planned to study in the US, reflecting growing interest in high-quality education options within India," the university told Mint. Also Read: Study abroad: From class 9 to Harvard and Yale—how Indian teens are preparing for the Ivy League The announcement comes at a time when many Indian parents are concerned that political clashes and US education visa curbs will impact the future of their children. 'This will be followed by other private universities that have a global standing and want to be seen as an alternative option to a foreign degree," said Narayanan Ramaswamy, partner and leader for education and skill development practice at consulting firm KPMG. No longer the go-to country This may lead to other countries gaining popularity as well. The number of Indian students studying in the US in the 2023-24 academic year hit an all-time high of 331,602, rising 23% on-year, showed data provided by Open Doors, a portal for international students. However, the second Donald Trump administration has come down heavily on Ivy League universities, especially Harvard University, following a series of pro-Palestine protests throughout 2024. Also Read: Uncertainty for Indian students as Harvard loses right to enrol foreigners, sues US government The Trump administration asked Harvard to share information on foreign student misconduct, including its reported collaboration with the Communist Party of China (CPC)-affiliated entities, alleged failure to act against antisemitism, campus violence, and ties to foreign adversaries. When the university refused to comply, the US Department of Homeland Security revoked its certification to host international students for the 2025-26 academic year. The US government website states that the student and exchange visitor programme (SEVP) collects, maintains, analyses and provides information so that only legitimate foreign students or exchange visitors gain entry to the country. The battle is now in the courts. Ashoka University, whose founders include Sanjeev Bikhchandani, founder of job site R.K. Damani, founder of DMart; and Ashok Trivedi, co-founder of IGate, opened a special admissions window on Thursday for students who have received confirmed offers from universities in the US but are now seeking admission to the college's undergraduate programmes starting this August. Also Read: Columbia missed the bus of academic freedom that Harvard took 'To be considered, applicants must submit their confirmed offer from a US institution along with the original college application form submitted to that university," said the university.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Judge halts Trump's foreign student ban as Harvard accuses White House of political retaliation
A federal judge in Boston has extended a block on President Donald Trump's executive order barring foreign students from entering the United States to study at Harvard University, calling into question the administration's motives and its authority to interfere with academic institutions. At the center of the legal clash is a larger battle over autonomy, academic freedom, and the rights of international students caught in the crossfire of political agendas. Harvard accuses Trump of weaponizing immigration policy During a hearing on Monday, Harvard's legal counsel delivered a scathing indictment of the Trump administration's conduct, accusing the president of using Harvard's international students as 'pawns' in a political game aimed at punishing the university for its ideological independence. 'I think there is no finding that Harvard is dangerous,' said Ian Gershengorn, attorney for Harvard. 'The administration has overstepped its legal bounds and is retaliating against Harvard for not yielding to its political demands.' The lawsuit follows Trump's controversial proclamation earlier this month, citing 'national security concerns' as justification for blocking foreign students from entering the US to attend Harvard. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Get Matched with a Licensed Therapist Today Affordable Online Counseling | Search Ads Learn More Undo The executive action came on the heels of repeated federal attempts to revoke the university's authority to host international students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Judge extends restraining order, raises questions over motives US District Judge Allison Burroughs extended a temporary restraining order on the proclamation until June 23, buying more time to consider Harvard's request for a preliminary injunction. The order, first issued on June 5, temporarily halts enforcement of Trump's directive and his administration's move to strip Harvard of its SEVP certification. Judge Burroughs, who presided over Monday's hearing, expressed concern over the government's approach and appeared skeptical of its justification. The disparity in legal representation, Harvard's six attorneys versus a single Justice Department lawyer, Tiberius Davis, was noted by the judge herself. 'Not only do you have this case, but you have it alone,' Burroughs remarked to Davis, hinting at the uneven legal weight being applied. Harvard's standing is threatened on the Global stage The stakes are high for Harvard. The school's legal filing argues that without its international students, its identity as a premier global institution is fundamentally compromised. 'Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,' the lawsuit states, noting the reputational damage and competitive disadvantage the school now faces. Graduate programmes that rely heavily on international talent would be upended by the ban. In response to the uncertainty, foreign universities, including some in Hong Kong, have already extended invitations to affected students, threatening a potential exodus of global academic talent. Federal ultimatums and accusations of bias The clash follows months of escalating tension between Harvard and the Trump administration. After the university resisted federal directives targeting alleged liberal bias and antisemitism on campus, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanded extensive records related to international students. Although Harvard complied, Noem found the response inadequate and revoked the university's SEVP certification on May 22. Trump's broader campaign against the university has included cutting over $2.6 billion in research grants, revoking federal contracts, and threatening to end its tax-exempt status. Harvard President Alan Garber responded by affirming the university's commitment to its legal and institutional values. 'Harvard will not stray from its core, legally-protected principles,' Garber said. Government's defense: 'Other universities might be better' While Harvard argues it is being unfairly targeted, the Trump administration insists it has scrutinised multiple universities and that Harvard alone is not being singled out. DOJ attorney Tiberius Davis said the federal government views 'other universities might be better' suited to host foreign students under the new policy framework. 'The power is within Harvard to fix this,' Davis claimed, implying that Harvard's institutional culture and perceived resistance to federal oversight contributed to its treatment. But legal observers and academic leaders have questioned the transparency and fairness of that assessment, suggesting that the administration's actions represent an attempt to silence dissent and impose ideological conformity. Looking ahead: A precedent-setting case As Judge Burroughs prepares to issue a ruling on the preliminary injunction, the case may set an important precedent for how much influence a presidential administration can exert over private academic institutions. The decision could also have sweeping implications for the rights of foreign students in the United States and the future of American higher education's global reputation. For now, the legal shield remains in place, but the battle over borders, academic freedom, and federal overreach is far from over. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
New Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Indian students at Harvard navigate uncertainties amid Trump's war on university
The students also pointed out that funding cuts initiated by the Trump administration are impacting jobs in the policy space, climate change, healthcare and public health sectors. The Design School student recalled that just days before graduating last month, students found out that the Trump administration had terminated Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) certification, which meant the university could no longer enrol foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status. "We had just finished our final presentations, we were celebrating over lunch, and we saw this news. It was quite unbelievable. Six months ago, you could never predict that something like this would happen," she said. She however urged foreign students not to feel discouraged by the current situation. "This should not discourage people. Because I think what institutions like Harvard also do is that they make you a global citizen. And if not America, people are finding pathways elsewhere," she said. Several students say they had planned to move back to India eventually but had hoped to work in the US for the initial few years, both to get experience in the American job market and also to earn to pay back the significant student loans they have. Another young student, who graduated from Harvard Kennedy School, said while the current situation has been full of "unpredictability", at some levels students are building some kind of resistance, immunity to respond to developments in real time because the Trump administration's moves against Harvard have been blocked and stalled by the courts. "The challenges that we face on a day-to-day basis probably are in terms of job opportunities, how we plan our future and the next steps," he said. "I know of some classmates of mine who have been in the final stages of interviews with a few companies, but once they found out that these students were from Harvard, they were like 'that might pose a few issues later on. So we'll move on with another candidate'," the student said. "I've seen a higher number of people who are going back (to India). They have made up their mind that it's not worth staying and then being in a state of uncertainty, away from family and home, sacrificing a lot of things for a future that remains highly, highly uncertain. So that holds lesser value now for a lot of my peers," he said. He cited media reports that said the State Department has told US consulates globally to resume processing visa applications for students planning to attend Harvard University. "All this is a signalling effect currently, which is hurting all of us a lot. Because you don't really know what, where you can apply, what you can do, employees are hesitant." He added that he has also been talking to a lot of students from India who are set to arrive in the US to commence studies at Harvard around September this year. "Generally, yes, the concern has increased a lot in terms of what kind of opportunities exist, because they would be leaving a lot of things back home. The opportunity cost is higher than ever." He said incoming students or those planning to come to the US in future to study are hesitant and are considering whether they should apply to universities in Europe and elsewhere given "the kind of environment which has been created for international students generally in the US", which will have far-reaching consequences. He said that while no one he has spoken to among the incoming students has been denied a visa, "some are reconsidering. They are unsure since there's fear of losing funding and scholarships they've received this year if they defer or don't join." According to statistics on the website of Harvard International Office, there are 788 students and scholars from India at all schools under Harvard University for the 2024-25 academic year. The Harvard Global Support Services said on its website that each year, anywhere from 500-800 Indian students and scholars study at Harvard. Harvard hosts a total of about 10,158 students and scholars from around the world across its schools, according to Harvard International Office estimates. The Kennedy School student pointed to the "American Dream" that used to bring students from India and elsewhere to the US. "I think that has been significantly affected. It's definitely not the same what it used to be, even, I would say five years ago, because a lot of this damage is unrepairable," he said. But amid all this what he found "heartening" was the university administration "stepping up" and putting forward a more resolute and strong show of support for the students. "The other thing which has been absolutely amazing to see is students showing more support for their international peers," he added.
India Today
09-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Indian students surge 11.8% in US, now 27% of all foreign enrolments: ICE report
Indian students accounted for 27% of all foreign students in the US in 2024, marking an 11.8% increase from the previous year, according to the latest annual report by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).The report, released last week, showed that 4,22,335 Indian students were actively enroled in US institutions in 2024, contributing to a total of 1.58 million international students — a 5.3% rise from also revealed that 1,65,524 foreign students participated in the post-completion STEM OPT extension program, with India (48%) and China (20.4%) representing the largest shares. While India saw an over 11% surge in student numbers, China (3,29,541 students) recorded a slight decline of 0.25% compared to 2023. India's 27% share of the total foreign student population exceeds China's 20%.ASIA DOMINATES FOREIGN STUDENT POPULATION IN USAsia accounted for the largest number of active foreign student records in America, with 11,34,953 overseas students, making up 71.7% of the foreign student population in the US, the ICE report 91% of all foreign students were enrolled in an SEVP-certified associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral foreign students in the US pursued 14,34,748 degrees in higher education, which is an increase of nearly 82,000 from calendar year 2023. Bachelor's or master's degrees were the most popular, accounting for 79% of higher education degrees to an Open Doors 2024 report, released in November last year, for the first time in 15 years, Indian students surpassed Chinese students in the US for the 2023-24 academic students now make up a weighty portion of the international student cohort in most Western countries and are key contributors to the US's global student population.A comparable trend was observed recently in Germany, according to data from the Academic Exchange Service, released in September 2024. For the 2023-24 winter semester, 49,483 Indian students were enroled in Germany, marking a 15.1% increase from the previous year, positioning India as the largest international student group in Germany, surpassing Watch
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chinese Harvard graduate's speech sparks conservative controversy
[Source] A Chinese Harvard graduate's commencement speech calling for 'shared humanity' has ignited debate online as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to restrict Chinese student visas. What she said Yurong 'Luanna' Jiang, 25, became the first Chinese woman student to speak at a Harvard graduation ceremony on May 29, delivering her nearly seven-minute address titled 'Our Humanity.' Originally from Qingdao, China, she earned a full scholarship to study at Cardiff Sixth Form College in Wales before attending Duke University and completing her Master's in Public Administration in International Development at Harvard Kennedy School. Jiang emphasized global unity in her speech, telling fellow graduates, 'If we still believe in a shared future, let us not forget: those we label as enemies — they, too, are human. In seeing their humanity, we find our own.' Trending on NextShark: She drew from her experiences with classmates from 34 nations, describing how the countries she 'knew only as colorful shapes on a map turned into real people — with laughter, dreams and the perseverance to survive the long winter in Cambridge.' Reactions Jiang's speech largely drew criticism on X, with conservative users accusing her of having Communist Party connections. One popular account followed by Elon Musk and some of President Donald Trump's children alleged that she represented 'a CCP-funded and monitored NGO' and was 'parroting Xi Jinping's diplomatic rhetoric about a 'shared future for mankind.'' Trending on NextShark: Chinese netizens appeared more divided. Some praised Jiang's message, with one RedNote user writing that her ability to 'stand on an international stage and speak the heart of Chinese students has moved me to tears.' Others questioned whether her elite background represented typical Chinese students. Why this matters Jiang's address came at a critical moment as the Trump administration had just revoked Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification — blocking the university from enrolling international students — and announced plans to 'aggressively revoke' visas for Chinese students 'with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.' With roughly 30% of Harvard's students being international and about 2,000 coming from China, the policy affects over 277,000 Chinese students nationwide. Trending on NextShark: International students contributed over $50 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023, with Chinese students making up 16% of all graduate STEM students nationwide. This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. ! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
