2. Bridging Nations: Global Competition for Talent & International Students

WHAT: Global Competition for Talent & International Students

WHEN: February 26, 2026, 8:00 pm ET

WHERE: Webinar

HOSTS: APA Justice, Committee of 100, US-China Education Trust

Moderator: Margaret K. Lewis 陸梅吉, Professor of Law, Seton Hall University School of Law

Speakers:

• Fanta Aw, Executive Director and CEO of Association of International Educators (NAFSA)

• Steven Chu 朱棣文, Professor of Stanford University and former U.S. Secretary of Energy

DESCRIPTION:  As geopolitical competition intensifies between the United States and China, the flow of talent and students across borders has become a critical flashpoint. International students – particularly those from China – have enriched American universities, driven innovation, and strengthened people-to-people ties. Yet today, visa restrictions, security concerns, and shifting immigration policies are reshaping the landscape. At the same time, China and other nations are competing aggressively to attract global talent, transforming higher education into an arena of strategic competition. Chinese American students and scholars increasingly find themselves caught in the middle – facing heightened scrutiny, profiling, and questions about their loyalty.

This webinar will examine how the U.S.-China relationship is affecting international student mobility, university partnerships, and the global competition for talent. What are the implications of competition for American universities, research ecosystems, and soft power? How are students and scholars navigating new restrictions and uncertainties? How can policies balance openness and U.S. competitiveness?