Current location:world >>
Curb on Chinese talent sparks strong backlash
world62824People have gathered around
IntroductionA Florida law barring public universities from hiring researchers from China is facing mounting crit ...
A Florida law barring public universities from hiring researchers from China is facing mounting criticism from academics and advocates for its potential to cripple scientific progress in the United States.
The National Postdoctoral Association, or NPA, a leading advocate for postdoctoral researchers, or postdocs, in the U.S., has recently joined the fight against the law, advocating for the freedom to hire top talent regardless of national origin.
"We oppose any bill that bans international students or postdocs from studying or working at public universities. This approach benefits no one and harms both the individual seeking to come to the U.S. and our national research efforts," Thomas Kimbis, executive director and CEO of NPA, told China Daily.
The law, SB 846, took effect on July 1, 2023. It prohibits Florida's 12 public colleges and universities from taking money from or partnering with entities in China and six other "countries of concern", including Russia, Cuba, Iran, Syria and Venezuela.
The list of banned interactions includes offering anyone living in one of those countries a contract to do research.
"The bill, intentionally or not, can cause a significant slowdown in the process of becoming a paid graduate student or postdoc at a variety of state institutions," said Kimbis.
"Postdocs in particular already face a difficult immigration journey and don't need to have any additional delays that are accompanied by a lack of clarity of process," he added.
Kimbis emphasized the crucial role of scientists born outside the U.S. in driving global innovation as well as U.S. economic, societal and health advancement.
"Nearly 60 percent of our postdoc population comes from outside the U.S. — a figure that is steadily increasing," he said, adding that this group plays a significant role in advancing research and development across various disciplines.
Lost opportunity
Kimbis also expressed concerns about a potential brain drain by turning away the brightest minds — "a lost opportunity for innovation that could threaten the very national security that SB 846 purports to protect", he said.
Faculty members at the University of Florida, or UF, which boasts the state's largest research portfolio, have been most vocal in opposition. More than 350 have signed a petition since December urging the university to disregard nationality when recruiting top graduate students.
They warn that "failure to act swiftly" will result in losing exceptional talent to other universities and cause "irreversible damage".
The law applies to all academic interactions with China and the other six countries. Exceptions are allowed only when the Board of Governors, which oversees higher education in the state, grants a waiver on a case-by-case basis. But it isn't clear how it would be implemented.
The law's ambiguity regarding implementation has left faculty members in a state of confusion. Professors across various disciplines at the UF have voiced their concerns, as shown in their comments on the petition's endorsement form.
Fred Gmitter, a professor of horticultural sciences, slammed the law as "counterproductive" and an attack on academic freedom.
"Excessive political interference in the affairs of a public university is counterproductive and contrary to the fundamental concepts of academic freedom," he said, "This bill is dragging UF down, not lifting us up."
Emma MacKie, assistant professor of geological sciences, highlighted the detrimental impact on accessing international talent.
"China and Iran are powerhouse incubators for geological talent, with a disproportionate number of students studying geology and geophysics, especially in industry or applied geoscience topics," she said. "We cannot strive to be a top 10 department if we can't access or collaborate with a significant fraction of the world's top geoscientists," she continued.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Stellar Station news portal”。http://kenya.downmusic.org/html-15b599958.html
Related articles
With Djokovic awaiting the winner, Murray trails Hanfmann at rain
worldGENEVA (AP) — Needing a win to face Novak Djokovic next at the Geneva Open, Andy Murray was saved by ...
【world】
Read moreScheffler turns the Masters into another Sunday yawner with a dominating win
worldAUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler drained all the drama out of the Masters.Which has become a fa ...
【world】
Read moreScheffler turns the Masters into another Sunday yawner with a dominating win
worldAUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler drained all the drama out of the Masters.Which has become a fa ...
【world】
Read more
Popular articles
- Investigators return to Long Island home of Gilgo Beach serial killing suspect
- Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem reach Tel Aviv Winner Tournament final
- China receives over 18 mln reports on illegal online content in March
- 30 days to go, anticipation for impending Hangzhou Asian Games runs high across Asia
- Tom Brady and Jay
- Futuristic scene of robots taking over backbreaking farm jobs on horizon
Latest articles
What a blast to work at NASA. Space agency is sky
Ice and snow metaverse experience center in Harbin draws attention
Shutterbug in northeast China records growing winter sport popularity
34th Phoenix Chinese Week Culture and Cuisine Festival held in Arizona
Amir Khan's £11.5m luxury wedding venue finally hosts its first marriage: Bride arrives on horse
A monument to heroes
LINKS
- Why do so many leading royals
- 'The King and Prince William now face a serious problem'
- 'It has taken us time to explain to George, Charlotte and Louis
- Lady Tatiana Mountbatten
- Why do so many leading royals
- Thomas Kingston dies aged 45: How the royal family will form a tight circle of support around much
- Meet the new 'dynamic duo'! Anne and Sophie pair up to share the royal burden
- 'Influencer' pup living in the lap of luxury travels the world in five
- It's discreet, stylish and very, very British
- Isla Phillips: The little royal and great