Hong Kong’s HKUST handling ‘several’ Harvard transfer applications

A university in Hong Kong that “opened its doors to Harvard students” has made an offer of admission to one and is handling several transfer applications after the Trump administration last month barred the US Ivy League school from enrolling international candidates, many of whom are from mainland China.

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) was among the higher education institutions in the city that stepped up efforts to accommodate students affected by the US government’s ban.

At least two other local universities have also received inquiries from affected students.

On Wednesday night, US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation “suspending the entry of foreign nationals” seeking to study at Harvard, citing its failure to address national security risks on campus.

HKUST said on Thursday that since its announcement of support two weeks ago, it had received dozens of inquiries from students who had planned to study at Harvard or were already enrolled there.

“HKUST is currently processing several transfer applications. An admission offer has been extended to one of the applicants,” a spokesman said.