Stanford University pledges ‘equity of access’ amid Chinese student visa fears over Trump plans

Stanford University will continue ensuring “equity of access” for all students regardless of citizenship, a senior member of management said on Thursday in Hong Kong, in response to reports that US President Donald Trump’s aides almost convinced him to end student visas for Chinese nationals.

Students from China form the largest group among the institution’s international undergraduates. Last year about 10 per cent of its 7,056 undergraduates were non-US citizens.

Professor Harry Elam, Stanford’s senior vice-provost for education, said he would be concerned by any move that could have an impact on foreign students choosing the Californian institution.

“One of our central principles is equity in access and that means we want equal treatment of all students,” he said.

“We work hard to protect all our students regardless of immigration status or any other factor that may impact them coming to Stanford.”