CONTENTS:
- Reports Indicate the Administration May Limit Visa Length for Chinese Students
- AAU President Coleman Comments on Reported Visa Changes
- National Academies Report on Graduate STEM Education in the 21 st Century
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences Issues Call to Action for Language Learning
- Association of Governing Boards Releases Higher Education Value Materials
REPORT INDICATES THE ADMINISTRATION MAY LIMIT VISA LENGTH FOR CHINESE STUDENTS
The Associated Press reported Tuesday that starting June 11, the administration will shorten the length of some student visas issued to Chinese citizens. The report cites a U.S. State Department official who said instructions have been sent to U.S. embassies and consulates, "Chinese graduate students will be limited to one-year visas if they are studying in fields like robotics, aviation, and high-tech manufacturing." The instructions also note that Chinese citizens seeking visas will need special clearance from multiple U.S. agencies if they work as researchers or managers at companies listed by the Commerce Department as those requiring higher scrutiny.
The administration hinted at the reported changes in the December 2017-issued national security strategy.
AAU President Mary Sue Coleman commented on the news report, saying, "We share the administration's goal of protecting our nation's national and economic security. However, we must ensure that any changes to our visa system don't negatively impact our ability to continue to research and develop the cures and technologies that drive our economy."
NATIONAL ACADEMIES REPORT ON GRADUATE STEM EDUCATION IN THE 21 ST CENTURY
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a consensus study report Tuesday titled Graduate STEM Education for the 21st Century. The report takes a holistic look at graduate education, identifying key policies, programs, and culture that could better meet the needs of our graduate students. It also recommends a systems approach to reforming graduate education, including the articulation of core competencies at both master's and Ph.D. levels, increasing emphasis on high-quality teaching, advising, and mentoring, and realigning the academic incentive system.
AAU President Mary Sue Coleman served as a member of the consensus committee and offered brief remarks at the report release.
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES ISSUES CALL TO ACTION FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING
The American Academy of Arts & Sciences' Call to Action on Bridging America's Language Gap was released last week. Over 150 signatures from leaders in American business, government, and education, call for increased access to language education, more language teachers, and stronger public-private partnerships. This effort, led by America's Languages Working Group, in which AAU participates, works to achieve the recommendations of the American Academy of Arts & Science report, America's Languages: Investing in Language Education for the 21 st Century released last year. Stronger investment in international education, language access and preservation, and language resources are critical as American industry participates in more foreign markets and our nation engages diplomatically and militarily across the globe.
ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNING BOARDS RELEASES HIGHER EDUCATION VALUE MATERIALS
The Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities earlier this week released new materials on the value of higher education. Released as part of the AGB Guardians Initiative, which aims to engage U.S. college and university trustees as advocates for the value of higher education, the materials include talking points, infographics, op-ed guidance, and other advocacy-related resources.
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