University of Arizona Closes China Microcampuses Over Security Concerns
The University of Arizona (UA) has announced the closure of its four microcampuses in China by the end of this semester. The decision follows a government report that highlighted potential national security risks associated with U.S. college and university branch campuses in China.
UA will provide financial assistance to help employees relocate back to the United States and support students in determining their next steps. The shutdown affects approximately 2,200 students, 36 faculty members, and four staff. Ken Smith, who led the environmental science dual-degree program at UA's microcampus in China, was informed of the closure just a week ago. UA has a total of 15 microcampuses worldwide, with the first established in 2017.
Several U.S. universities, including the University of Michigan, Texas A&M University, and the University of California system, have also reviewed or suspended their joint programs with Chinese institutions following the June 2021 Congress report 'Joint Institutes, Divided Loyalties'. The closure of UA's program is seen as a loss for both the university and the nation, as it hindered educational and diplomatic success. Smith is currently working with UA and Northwest A&F University (NWAFU) to find a way for current third-year students to complete their programs, but newer students may not be able to earn a degree from UA.
The Arizona College of Technology at Hebei University of Technology has been identified as a 'high risk' program in a government report. UA's decision to shut down its microcampuses in China is a response to these potential national security risks. The impact of this closure extends beyond the university, affecting students and employees alike, and raising questions about the future of U.S.-China educational partnerships.
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