Interior Minister deems Harvard circumstance as ' exceptionally dramatic'. - Harvard's conditions are significantly intense or disorderly, according to Minister Bär's account.
Germany's Federal Minister of State for Digital and Culture, Dorothee Bär, has described the situation at Harvard University as "highly dramatic." Speaking at a meeting with her EU colleagues in Brussels on Friday, Bär expressed the need to discuss a "European strategy" to expand excellence in education.
The Trump administration's Department of Homeland Security recently revoked Harvard's certification for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), preventing the elite university near Boston from admitting or hosting students with F- or J- nonimmigrant status for the 2025–2026 academic year. The decision was based on allegations of non-compliance with records requests and concerns over fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordination with the Chinese Communist Party. Harvard has contested these claims, calling the action unlawful and a retaliatory measure.
Following this development, thousands of international students and scholars, making up about 27% of Harvard’s student body, are now in limbo. The university has advised them to transfer to other institutions to maintain their visa status, as staying at Harvard could jeopardize their legal standing in the U.S.
In light of this uncertainty in the U.S., there has been an increase in inquiries from foreign academics and students to German universities, according to Bär. While the precise impact on German universities is not yet clear, historical trends suggest that increased instability in U.S. admissions may encourage international students to explore alternatives in Europe, including Germany.
Bär emphasized that Germany should strive to remain a beacon of academic excellence, radiating its inviting light across continents. She plans to discuss ways to expand the excellence strategy within the EU, potentially involving a European strategy.
References:[1] News source detailing the action by the U.S. government and its impact on Harvard University.[2] News source discussing Harvard's previous efforts to accommodate international students amidst visa uncertainty.[3] News source analyzing the potential impact of U.S. visa restrictions and geopolitical tensions on international students' preferences for study abroad destinations.
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens in the context of the general news surrounding the academic crisis at Harvard University. This proposal could potentially include education-and-self-development polices aimed at attracting international students, given the increase in inquiries from foreign academics and students to German universities due to geopolitical tensions and visa uncertainties in the United States.
