Foreign Minister Bär Criticizes Harvard's Decision to Limit Enrollment for International Students: "An Inadequate Move" - Foreign Minister Bär critiques Harvard university's ban on admitting international students as a poor choice
German Minister Dorothee Baer Condemns U.S. Decision to Ban Harvard from Admitting International Students
German Minister Dorothee Baer has expressed concern and disappointment over the United States government's decision to ban Harvard University from enrolling foreign students. In a statement made on radio station Bayern 2, Baer called the move a "very bad decision."
Baer stated that she finds the situation at Harvard "highly dramatic" and stressed that it sends a negative message, not only to the younger generation but also to the free world. On Friday, she plans to discuss the matter with her EU colleagues in Brussels, with an emphasis on expanding Europe's excellence strategy and creating a "safe haven" for academic freedom.
Baer believes that German universities are receiving an increasing number of inquiries from foreign academic staff and students amidst the controversy surrounding Harvard. She noted that not only America, but also countries like China and India, who would typically choose the U.S., are showing interest in Germany.
The U.S. government, under Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, revoked Harvard's certification to participate in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The decision was based on allegations that Harvard has fostered an environment of violence, antisemitism, and pro-terrorist conduct on its campus, including collaboration with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and hosting members of a CCP paramilitary group linked to the Uyghur genocide.
Harvard University has responded by filing a complaint in federal court, asserting the government's actions as unlawful and unwarranted. A temporary restraining order has been issued by a federal judge in Boston, preventing the immediate revocation of Harvard's ability to host international students pending a hearing the following week.
As this story develops, European Union ministers and German universities may voice their concerns over the implications of the U.S. government's decision on international higher education cooperation and academic freedom.
- The European Parliament, along with the Council and the European Commission, may use this controversy surrounding Harvard as an opportunity to strengthen their education-and-self-development policies and legislation, emphasizing politics that foster academic freedom and mobility.
- German Minister Dorothee Baer's dialogue with her EU colleagues in Brussels may include discussions on creating a policy-and-legislation response to this general-news event, focusing on safeguarding the education-and-self-development of both European and international students.
- As the situation at Harvard unfolds, the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission may beseech learning from this instance of U.S. policy and legislation on politics affecting academic freedom, in order to ensure a more robust and supportive environment for education-and-self-development within the European Union.
