Harvard's Situation Spelled as a Disaster by Lauterbach - A Invite to Researchers from Germany - Harvard Faces "Disaster" - Germany to Invite Scholars from the Institution
Harvard's Foreign Students and Scholars in Question as US Government Revokes SEVP Certification
German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has expressed concern over the potential impact of the US government's decision to revoke Harvard University's student and exchange visitor program certification. He fears the move marks a "catastrophe" for the renowned institution and urged Germany to invite researchers from the US in light of the situation.
In a statement, Lauterbach alluded to the possible repercussions of the Trump administration's actions on academic freedom and research. He viewed the attack on Harvard as a research policy disaster and warned that weakening the nation's leading universities could undermine key pillars supporting the American economy.
The federal government has to bolster its investment in the 70 German excellence clusters, Lauterbach suggested. By providing more research funds, Germany can offer attractive options to foreign researchers who may face obstacles in the US.
The US Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard's SEVP certification, threatening the university's ability to sponsor international students and scholars for the 2025-26 academic year. The decision, announced by Homeland Security Minister Kristi Noem, cited the university's refusal to create a safe environment for Jewish students and its alleged discriminatory diversity and inclusion guidelines.
Harvard contested the government's action as "unlawful" and referred to it as a retaliatory measure. The university emphasized its commitment to its international student body and pledged to continue supporting them, alongside providing regular updates on the situation.
A court ruling granted Harvard a temporary restraining order on May 24, 2025, allowing the university to continue accepting international students and scholars pending the legal proceedings. A hearing is scheduled for May 29, 2025, to determine the extension of the temporary order.
As of the time of this report, no official actions or responses from Germany based on these developments have been disclosed.
Further Information:- Harvard's legal proceedings and court rulings to challenge the government's decision are underway.- Harvard has emphasized its commitment to supporting affected international students and scholars during the ongoing legal proceedings.- The temporary court-ordered maintenance of Harvard's SEVP certification allows the university to continue enrolling international students and scholars.- The US government's action is a result of reported non-compliance and policy disagreements with Harvard.
- In light of the US government revoking Harvard University's student and exchange visitor program certification, German SPD member and Health Minister Karl Lauterbach encourages Germany to support education-and-self-development by inviting US researchers facing obstacles, expressing his dismay at the political implications of such decision.
- During the ongoing policy-and-legislation battle between Harvard University and the US government, Lauterbach advises Germany to increase its investment in its own academic institutions, such as the 70 German excellence clusters, to provide attractive learning opportunities for foreign researchers, promoting collaboration and strengthening the German economy.
- As the general-news of the US government's action against Harvard for disputed diversity and inclusion policies continues to unfold, world politics will undoubtedly observe the consequences such decisions could have on the exchange of ideas, research, and collaboration between nations, specifically between Germany and the US.
