The US government, under President Donald Trump, issued a ban preventing Harvard University in Massachusetts from enrolling international students.
This decision affects not only future applicants but also current foreign students, who now face the difficult choice of transferring elsewhere or risking the loss of their legal status in the US.
Photo via HKUST
In response, Harvard took legal action by filing a formal complaint and requesting a temporary restraining order. Recently, a US Federal Court in Boston granted this order, temporarily halting the enforcement of the ban while further legal proceedings take place. For now, the ban remains on hold.
Amid the uncertainty, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has extended a welcoming offer to the international students impacted by this situation. Seeing an opportunity to support some of the world’s brightest minds, HKUST is offering unconditional admission to all foreign undergraduate and postgraduate students currently enrolled at Harvard.
This offer also includes those who hold confirmed admission offers from Harvard but may now face disruption.
In an official statement, HKUST described this initiative as a response to the shifting global academic landscape and reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a diverse, world-class learning environment.
“As a leading international university ranked among the world’s best, HKUST aims to ensure talented students can continue their education without interruption,” the statement said. “We provide unconditional admission, streamlined application processes, and full academic support to make the transition as smooth as possible.”
HKUST highlighted several reasons why Harvard’s affected students might consider enrolling, including its position within the Top 50 in the QS World University Rankings 2025; ranking 2nd globally in the Times Higher Education 2025 “Most International University” list; leadership in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, ranked in the Top 20 worldwide and 1st in Hong Kong (QS Subject Rankings 2025); strong interdisciplinary programmes spanning science, engineering, business, humanities, and social sciences; a vibrant campus located in Hong Kong, a gateway to Asia’s innovation ecosystem; and its role as a strategic hub connecting Asia with the rest of the world.
With these advantages, HKUST presents itself as an excellent alternative for students seeking continuity and quality education during this challenging time.
