Hyderabad: Despite the recent revocation of Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) by the US govt, Indian students are resolute in their plans of joining the Ivy League institute, in the upcoming academic term that starts in Aug. The development, however, has left some of them jittery — particularly those who’ve booked visa interview slots and are just one step away from realising their ‘Harvard dream’.Montoring developments“I was in the middle of the visa process when I heard the news. Though I am worried I am certainly not reconsidering my decision. I may, at best, reschedule my visa appointment if the situation does not become clearer within the next week or so,” said a student from north India who has secured a MBA seat at Harvard Business School. “For now, I am monitoring the developments through the student community and the university’s Slack group (forum for internal communication),” the student added.Shweta Gurnani, chief academic mentor at Gurgaon-based consultancy, Academy One, which specialises in Ivy League admissions, also said that students are anxious but willing to fly out for Aug term. “There are 35 students who have secured admission through us this year. All of them are travelling for their master’s in business administration (MBA),” Gurnani said, adding, “Since the university has also assured that it is addressing the issue through legal channels and promised that the academic year will proceed as planned, students are willing to take the risk. On that basis, we too are advising students to stick to their original plans unless there is a significant policy shift in the near future.“Multiple reassurancesHarvard University has issued multiple reassurances via its official website and through a series of emails to current students, copies of which are in TOI’s possession. In one such email, the university stated: “As many of you may be aware, the University received a letter from the US Department of Homeland Security revoking Harvard’s SEVP certification. We understand the extreme anxiety and uncertainty this has caused, and we share your deep concerns. The programmes have since been reinstated. The situation remains highly fluid, and we will keep you informed as further updates become available.”Another email read: “Please know that we are committed to supporting you. We want to clarify that students should be able to come to campus. The news of visa restrictions involving Harvard has left incoming executive education participants questioning whether they will be permitted to enter the US. In reality, the proposed action should not affect these individuals.”There are currently 788 Indian students (in master’s and PhD programmes) at Harvard. Among these, Graduate School of Art and Science, Medical School, and Business School have 2,23,131 and 108 Indian students respectively.Apart from the incoming batch, some current students and recent graduates from Harvard are also feeling the heat of the development. One such student who recently completed his degree said: “We are worried about our job prospects,” even as some others sounded more hopeful. “I personally feel things will work out because Harvard cannot afford to lose 30% of its student community,” said an Indian student in first year MBA.She added: “I also don’t think it makes sense to single out one varsity. I believe the court will rule in our favour though none of us have full clarity at this point.”
