Maple News reports that the University of Toronto (U of T) and Harvard University have established a special contingency plan to support Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) international students affected by unpredictable U.S. visa policies. The collaboration provides a temporary academic refuge in Canada, allowing these students to continue their studies uninterrupted.
Under the agreement, eligible international students from HKS will be able to study at U of T’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy as full-time, non-degree special students. The initiative is designed for students who may face barriers re-entering the United States due to recent shifts in immigration procedures or delays in visa processing.
Participating students will pursue a hybrid curriculum comprising both online and in-person instruction delivered by faculty from HKS and the Munk School. They will also have access to extracurricular opportunities at the University of Toronto, preserving the integrity of their academic experience.
Crucially, while these students will be hosted at U of T, they remain enrolled at Harvard Kennedy School and will graduate with an HKS master’s degree upon meeting graduation requirements. This model ensures that their academic progress remains aligned with their original study intentions.
To participate, students must apply for a Canadian study permit. However, this arrangement does not impact U of T’s existing admissions, academic space, or housing availability for its own student body.
The initiative primarily supports returning international students but is part of Harvard’s wider “HKS Global” program, which blends remote learning with short-term in-person classes in various international locations. This reflects a growing trend among top institutions to accommodate international learners amid tightening global mobility.
As global politics continue to influence student movement, this partnership highlights how universities can collaborate across borders to protect academic progress and enhance resilience in international education.
According to Maple News, this development reinforces Canada’s rising appeal as a safe and supportive environment for international students seeking stability in their academic journeys.