What we know on Harvard, U of T transfers amid Trump foreign student threat

The University of Toronto and Harvard University have reached an agreement to allow some international students to complete their studies in Canada amid visa concerns.

The University of Toronto and Harvard University say they’ve come to an agreement to allow some international students planning to return in the new school year to continue their studies north of the border, should they be unable to study in the U.S. due to visa or entry restrictions.

The announcement comes as questions remain over whether the Trump administration’s efforts to bar foreign students from entering the U.S. to attend Harvard go through.

This past Monday, a federal judge blocked another attempt by the administration to keep international students out, saying officials’ “misplaced efforts to control a reputable academic institution” threatened freedom of speech.

The ruling effectively preserves the ability of foreign students to travel to the U.S. for study at Harvard while the case is decided.

Under the contingency agreement established between the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and Harvard Kennedy School — its school of public policy — returning international students will be able to complete their degree by taking a mix of online and in-person courses taught by both Harvard Kennedy School and University of Toronto faculty.

“If Harvard Kennedy School international students are not able to complete their studies in Cambridge, Mass., the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy looks forward to providing shared academic and co-curricular experiences for students from both schools,” said Janice Stein, founding dean of the Munk School.

The partnership with the Munk School is only for returning international students, Harvard notes.

The U.S. institution says students will be enrolled as full-time, non-degree special students at the Munk School and will graduate with their Harvard Kennedy School master’s degree upon completion.