Education secretary calls on Hong Kong universities to attract global talent barred from Harvard

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The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has taken the lead by offering unconditional offers to interested students.

Hong Kong's Secretary for Education has called on all local universities to support Harvard University’s international students affected by recent changes to US policy, and act proactively to attract global talent in line with their diversity-based admissions and talent strategies.

This call to action came after the US Department of Homeland Security announced on Thursday, 22 May 2025 the decision to end Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) certification, and to revoke the university's ability to enroll foreign students. As such, existing foreign students at Harvard must either transfer to other universities, or lose their legal status in the country.

According to Harvard’s statistics, the university enrolled nearly 6,800 international students in the 2024-2025 academic year, including 1,282 from Mainland China and 57 from Hong Kong.

In response to this situation, Hong Kong's Secretary for Education Christine Choi posted on Facebook last Friday, 23 May 2025, urging all local universities to implement convenience measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of students and scholars, and take proactive steps to attract top talent from around the world to the city to further build the "Study in Hong Kong" brand.

Additionally, Choi stated the bureau has reached out to the Harvard Club of Hong Kong to offer comprehensive support to students who have been admitted to Harvard.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) then took the lead on the same day by announcing an open invitation for international undergraduate and postgraduate students currently enrolled at Harvard, as well as those holding confirmed offers for Harvard degree programmes. These students are encouraged to continue their academic pursuits at HKUST.

"HKUST is extending this opportunity to ensure talented students can pursue their educational goals without disruption. The university will provide unconditional offers, streamlined admission procedures, and academic support to facilitate a seamless transition for interested students," it said the university in a statement.

The university also noted that it will prioritise expedited admissions, credit transfers, and tailored support, including visa assistance and housing, to ensure a smooth transition. A dedicated team has also been established to assist these students.

Lead images: Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard University | The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)