Seven Kazakhstani students studying at Harvard University face uncertainty after the Trump administration decided to revoke the university’s right to offer educational services to international students. All seven are studying in the U.S. under the Bolashak International Scholarship, a state program in Kazakhstan that enables talented students to study abroad, according to Olzhas Berkinbayev, a press secretary at Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
«As of today, seven people are studying at Harvard through the Bolashak program. We have no information on students studying under other scholarships or at their own expense. We will send the corresponding inquiries regarding these cases,» Berkinbayev wrote on Facebook.
Earlier this week, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the revocation of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification. Authorities blamed the institution for collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party, fostering violence, antisemitism and pro-terrorist conduct.
According to a press release available on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website, students of Jewish ancestry faced constant «insults, physical assault and intimidation.» Furthermore, one of those responsible for an offense against a Jewish student was selected as the Class Marshal for commencement. Another case cited involved a Jewish student who had wanted to present a story about his grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, but faced criticism from the event directors, who stated that his story was not «tasteful» and laughed at his confusion.
On top of that, Harvard reportedly provided training to members of a paramilitary group affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party and involved in the Uyghur genocide, while Harvard researchers allegedly cooperated with Chinese universities linked to military research and development.
The agency ruled that Harvard is forbidden from training foreign nationals, while those already enrolled must transfer to other institutions or risk losing their visas.
