Germany Seeks to Attract International Talent Amid US Restrictions
In the wake of the Trump administration’s decision to bar international students from attending Harvard University, the German government is urging researchers to consider the country’s top-notch institutions and research facilities. “Beyond Harvard, we also have excellent universities and research institutions in Germany, where international talent is very welcome” said Thomas Jarzombek, the parliamentary state secretary in the German Ministry of Digital Affairs, in an interview with the Rheinische Post.
Germany’s research landscape, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and digitalization, offers top conditions, according to Jarzombek. The country is now fighting to attract international talent that may be seeking alternative destinations, such as Germany, rather than the US. The government has already laid the groundwork for this effort through the 1,000-head program, which aims to attract foreign researchers, Jarzombek added.
Oliver Kaczmarek, the education and research policy spokesperson for the SPD faction, views the US government’s move against Harvard as a further withdrawal from international cooperation. “It’s regrettable that the US seems to be abandoning the idea of international cooperation” Kaczmarek said in an interview with the newspaper.
However, Kaczmarek emphasized that Germany is open to talent from the scientific community and will continue to strengthen its welcoming culture through the 1,000-head program. “Science is international and thrives on cooperation across borders. Germany is open to talents from the scientific community and we will continue to strengthen our welcoming culture with a 1,000-head program” the SPD politician said.