Seven U.S. universities have ended their joint programs with the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) following pressure from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. The institutions—Dartmouth College, Temple University, University of California Davis, University of California Irvine, University of California Riverside, University of Notre Dame, and University of Tennessee—were commended by Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) for their actions.
“I commend these seven universities for taking decisive action to close their programs tied to the Chinese Scholarship Council—a dangerous technology transfer initiative that advances the PRC’s authoritarian ambitions. By stepping up to protect their campuses from malign foreign influence, these U.S. institutions are demonstrating real leadership and a commitment to safeguarding U.S. research and innovation. I hope more schools will follow their lead, putting the integrity of American science and our national security first,” said Chairman Moolenaar.
The closures followed investigatory letters sent by the committee in July outlining concerns about CSC's activities at American universities. In those letters, Chairman Moolenaar wrote: "Unlike other international student programs, the CSC has faced increasing scrutiny and criticism due to concerns over academic freedom, surveillance of students, ideological control, and potential espionage. For example, CSC mandates that sponsored students return to the PRC upon completing their studies and serve the PRC for at least two years."
The committee continues its focus on protecting American research from foreign interference. Recently it released an investigation called "Ph.D. to PLA," which examined how some students linked to China’s military may have benefited from U.S.-funded educational opportunities due to shortcomings in visa policies during recent years.
