【社評雙語道】美國自毀學術招牌 港應積極「搶人才」

【原文】摘錄自5月24日香港《文匯報》：美國政府早前宣布，取消哈佛大學獲得的學生和交流學者項目資質，禁止其招收國際學生，現正就讀的海外學生必須轉校或離境，預料多達四分之一學生受到影響，更指有可能會對其他大學採取同類措施。

特朗普當局此舉不僅嚴重侵害國際學生接受平等教育和進行自由學術研究的正當權利，更與美國高等教育向來標榜的學術自由與多元包容背道而馳。

香港正全力推進成為國際專上教育樞紐，特區政府與高等教育界可把握機遇，加強向世界推廣「留學香港」品牌，吸引非本地留學生與科研人才來港發展，打造香港成為國際高端人才集聚高地，助力國際創新科技中心的建設。

美國國土安全部以哈佛大學屢次違反聯邦法律、創造不安全校園環境及助長校園暴力等為由，即日起禁止校方招收非移民簽證的國際學生，雖然其後加利福尼亞州的聯邦法官發布禁令，阻止特朗普政府在案件審理期間終止包括哈佛大學在內各大學國際學生合法身份的措施生效。

然而，特朗普政府打壓學術自由、削弱美國軟實力的大錯業已鑄成，向世界明確傳遞出排外和不歡迎國際人才的信號，不但自毀留學品牌，更對美國標榜的學術自由高等教育體系造成嚴重破壞。

中國外交部發言人指出，中美教育合作是互利的，中方一貫反對將教育合作政治化，美方有關做法只會損害美國的形象和國際信譽，中方將堅定維護海外中國學生和學者的正當合法權益。

值此美國「自廢武功」之際，正是香港高等教育把握良機、廣納天下英才之時。香港特區政府教育局局長在社交媒體表示，局方已就哈佛大學被禁止招收國際學生一事即時與本港大學聯繫，呼籲他們積極行動，並為受美國政策影響的合資格者提供便利措施，維護學生和學者的正當合法權益；本港多所大學紛紛積極推出多元措施回應，包括向正在或將會就讀哈佛大學的國際本科生及研究生發出公開邀請，成立專責團隊協助處理入學申請、學分轉移、住宿及簽證等事宜，以及提供包括特別獎學金在內的多方面支援。

教育局和本港大學的迅速反應及積極作為，值得充分肯定。香港作為全球唯一擁有五所世界百強大學的城市，具備「背靠祖國、聯通世界」的獨特優勢，是留學和研究的理想之地。教育局和各大學應繼續努力主動「拼船出海」向世界宣傳「留學香港」品牌，吸納國際頂尖學生來港升學，亦應致力完善非本地學生來港後在「衣、食、住、行」等各方面生活和學習上的配套，特區政府長遠也應持續優化各項招納人才政策及推出優惠措施，吸引非本地學生畢業後留港發展。

此外，特朗普當局近期大規模削減經費及資助、大規模裁員及拘捕和吊銷科研人員合法簽證等，引發不少在美國工作的科研人員萌生去意，《自然》雜誌在3月底的調查顯示，75%的科學家考慮離開美國。

因此，香港除了積極「搶學生」，也應積極「搶人才」，特別是配合香港和國家發展戰略相關領域的科研人才。香港也應加強與內地，尤其是粵港澳大灣區內地城市高校、科研機構以至產業界的聯動合作，攜手在教席、職位、經費、儀器、數據樣本以及成果轉化落地等環節上，為人才建構優越條件和環境，讓他們能夠得以施展所長，打造香港成為他們實踐理想抱負的圓夢地，從而為香港以至國家的創新科技與新質生產力發展作出貢獻。

Hong Kong Capitalises on US Academic Woes to Attract Global Talent

【譯文】The U.S. government recently announced the revocation of Harvard University's eligibility for the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme, banning it from admitting international students. Current overseas students must transfer or leave the country, with up to a quarter of students expected to be affected.

The Trump administration has also indicated potential similar measures against other universities. This move not only severely violates international students' rights to equal education and free academic research but also starkly contradicts the academic freedom and diversity long championed by American higher education.

As Hong Kong strives to become an international hub for post-secondary education, the Government and academic sector can capitalise on this opportunity to promote the "Study in Hong Kong" brand, attracting non-local students and research talent to bolster Hong Kong's position as a global hub for high-calibre talent and support the development of an international innovation and technology centre.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security cited Harvard's repeated violations of federal law, creation of an unsafe campus environment, and contribution to campus violence as reasons for prohibiting the university from admitting international students on non-immigrant visas. Although a California federal judge later issued an injunction to prevent the Trump administration from terminating the legal status of international students at Harvard and other universities during the case's review, the damage to academic freedom and America's soft power has already been done. The U.S. has sent a clear signal of xenophobia and hostility towards international talent, undermining its reputation as a study destination and severely damaging its vaunted academic freedom and higher education system. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted that China-U.S. educational cooperation is mutually beneficial, and China firmly opposes the politicisation of such cooperation. The U.S. actions will only harm its own image and international credibility, while China will steadfastly protect the legitimate rights of its overseas students and scholars.

Amid America's self-inflicted setbacks, Hong Kong's higher education sector has a prime opportunity to attract global talent. The Secretary for Education of Hong Kong announced on social media that the Education Bureau has promptly contacted local universities regarding Harvard's ban on international student admissions, urging them to act swiftly and provide support measures for eligible students affected by U.S. policies to safeguard their legitimate rights. Several Hong Kong universities have responded proactively with diverse initiatives, including issuing open invitations to international undergraduate and postgraduate students currently or planning to study at Harvard, establishing dedicated teams to assist with applications, credit transfers, accommodation, and visas, and offering support such as special scholarships.

The swift and proactive response from the Education Bureau and local universities is highly commendable. As the only city globally with five universities ranked among the world's top 100, Hong Kong boasts the unique advantage of being "backed by the motherland, connected to the world," making it an ideal destination for study and research. The Education Bureau and universities should continue to actively promote the "Study in Hong Kong" brand globally, attracting top international students, while improving support for non-local students in areas such as clothing, food, housing, and transport. In the long term, the Government should refine talent attraction policies and introduce incentives to encourage non-local graduates to stay and contribute to Hong Kong's development.

Furthermore, recent large-scale funding cuts, layoffs, arrests, and visa revocations by the Trump administration have prompted many researchers in the U.S. to consider leaving. A Nature survey in late March revealed that 75% of scientists are contemplating departing the U.S. Therefore, Hong Kong should not only focus on attracting students but also actively recruit talent, particularly in research fields aligned with development strategies of Hong Kong and the Nation. Hong Kong should strengthen collaboration with Chinee Mainland, especially universities, research institutions, and industries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, to create superior conditions and environments for talent in areas such as academic posts, funding, equipment, data, and commercialisation of research outcomes. This will enable talent to fully realise their potential, positioning Hong Kong as a place to fulfil their aspirations and contribute to the innovation, technology, and new productive forces of the City and the Nation.

●Tiffany