Despite curbs, American universities welcoming Indians: Duke University official

Uncertainty over possible restrictions on foreign students entering the USA, by the new government, has led to a decline in the number applicants to universities there.

Colleges, however, are still welcoming students from India and other countries, said Michael J Schoenfeld, vice-president for public affairs at Duke University, in an interaction with Deccan Herald.

“There has been a lot of talk and threats of restricting entry of foreign students. This is unfortunate because foreign students are important for cultural vitality and economic activity,” he said. Schoenfeld was in the city to host an event to connect with alumni of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, new students and their parents. 

Schoenfeld said that public and private universities throughout the United States, and their associations, are lobbying through members of the Congress, trying to establish that it is in the national interest to “keep doors open.’’

Besides an economic impact, travel bans and restrictions will affect the field of research, which has a large number of foreigners. “If we look at the percentage of PhDs awarded in science, engineering and technology to foreign candidates, it outweighs the number of American candidates. If that goes away, the pipeline to technology, business and finance will dry up, affecting the economy. It will also make US less competitive in these fields,” he said.

Not just students, even faculty members could be affected by travel restrictions. When President Donald Trump signed an executive order, barring immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries from travelling into the US, several faculty members of Duke were directly affected, Schoenfeld said.

“Growing number of universities are dependant on foreign students for their income, through tuition fee and their economy could be affected,” he added. In a message to students, he said that they would be welcome but have to remain realistic. “We hope that the current system will stay in place but we have to prepare for the possibility for something negative and at the moment we don't know what that might be.”

Duke to open office it city
Duke University will soon be opening their office, the first one in the country, in Bengaluru. “The office is mainly for the purpose of coordinating the several research, learning and engagement opportunities the Universities has here. There is a large extent of exchange of students and faculty between India and Duke for research in environment, health, technology and education,” Schoenfeld said.