DSEDJ ‘encourages’ local institutions to assist with transfers amid Harvard incident

Following the U.S. government’s ban on Harvard admitting international students, the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) said it has contacted Macau students at Harvard, “encouraging” local institutions to monitor developments and assist with transfers for affected students.

According to reports, the U.S. government recently revoked Harvard University’s right to admit foreign students, prompting Harvard to file a lawsuit against the government. A U.S. district court ruled to suspend enforcement of the ban.

The Trump administration cited Harvard’s “failure to comply with the law” in its decision. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem warned that the action serves as a warning to universities nationwide.

Delayed until yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump defended the ban on social media, questioning why Harvard doesn’t disclose that nearly 31% of its students are from foreign countries that may not support the U.S. After Harvard’s lawsuit challenging the government’s actions, a judge swiftly ruled to suspend the measure.

As the situation unfolds, the Hong Kong government issued an appeal Friday urging its universities to assist students in the U.S. who need to transfer schools. Several universities have already invited affected students to apply, offering unconditional admission to qualified candidates.

In Macau, the DSEDJ responded Saturday, noting the situation is evolving and reaffirming its commitment to monitoring developments and providing assistance to Macau students in need.

The bureau also encouraged local tertiary institutions to stay informed and offer transfer support to affected students to safeguard their right to education, with specific measures to be determined by each institution based on their circumstances.

In its statement, the DSEDJ noted, “To support Macau as a hub for international talent, the government will encourage local universities to attract outstanding students globally through various admission channels and support measures, promoting the internationalization of higher education in Macau.”

On the same day, public broadcaster TDM reported the General Association of Chinese Students of Macau received a concern from a Macau master’s student at Boston University regarding a potential “domino effect” in the short term. The association noted official data indicating about 70 Macau students pursued further studies in North America during the 2024–25 academic year.