International Education at Harvard Remains Undeterred - Trump-Critical Tone at Graduation Speech Sparks Debate - Foreign Students Allowed for the Time Being at Harvard: Criticism Towards Trump at Graduation Ceremony
Harvard Permitted to Continue Admitting International Students, Amidst Controversy at Graduation Ceremony
Harvard University, with a student body comprising 27 percent international students, has been granted temporary permission to continue admitting these students. The temporary reprieve comes after a federal judge, Allison Burroughs, temporarily blocked a ban issued by the Trump administration last week.
Initially, the administration had accused Harvard of noncompliance with federal rules and allegations of campus antisemitism and pro-terrorist activities. However, following legal arguments presented by both Harvard's lawyers and the government's legal representatives, Judge Burroughs, appointed by President Barack Obama, concurred with the temporary protection for international students.
These students primarily hail from Asia, with 549 currently enrolled Germans. Notably, the final decision in the case is still pending.
During the graduation ceremony held in Cambridge, west of Boston, Harvard President Alan Garber draw attention to the numerous international graduates. In his speech, he expressed, "This is how it should be," to the applause of hundreds of graduates adorned in red and black gowns and black caps.
As the commencement speaker, Dr. Abraham Verghese, a professor of medicine at Stanford University in California, was invited. Born in Ethiopia, Verghese praised America for allowing him to flourish, despite concerns among international students about potential wrongful detainment and deportation.
Verghese criticized the administration, alluding to the military coup in his homeland in 1974, saying, "It's almost a reflex of so-called strong men to attack places where truth and reason reign." In addition, he highlighted Trump's criticism of Harvard as an "antisemitic, far-left institution."
The administration had also targeted Harvard financially by cutting federal funding and intending to reduce all remaining federal funds. Harvard had previously refused to abolish diversity programs and investigate its students, as demanded by the government in mid-April. Nevertheless, President Garber acknowledged individual anti-Semitic incidents.
- The temporary permission granted to Harvard University allows it to continue its dedication to education-and-self-development, with a significant number of international students, primarily from Asia, pursuing lifelong-learning.
- During the recent graduation ceremony at Harvard, President Alan Garber, echoing the sentiment of numerous international students, emphasized the importance of diversity, highlighting the point win for Harvard in maintaining its status as an elite university in Massachusetts.
- As controversy continues to swirl around the admission of international students, policy-and-legislation discussions are ongoing, with online-education emerging as a potential alternative for those facing challenges with travel and safety.
- The ongoing lawsuit, involving allegations of campus antisemitism and pro-terrorist activities, has led to a critical discussion on war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice, shedding light on the delicate balance between protecting national security and upholding the principles of a diverse, global education system.
- Amidst the political turmoil, commencement speakers like Dr. Abraham Verghese, born in Ethiopia, have taken the stage to share their personal stories of resilience and success in the face of adversity, underscoring the significance of general-news stories that bring attention to the challenges and triumphs of international students in the United States.
