Recently, more than 280 faculty members of the University of Florida in the United States have signed a letter urging the university to respond to SB 846 to lift the ban on Chinese students joining the laboratory. The bill, which was passed in May and went into effect in July, prohibits Florida public universities and colleges from receiving funding or cooperation from seven "countries of concern" entities, including China.
The introduction of SB 846 has had a significant impact on educational research at 12 public universities and colleges in Florida. The bill prohibits these institutions from receiving funding or signing cooperation agreements with "countries of concern," including China, Russia, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela, to protect against potential threats to campus activities and intellectual property.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill to interact with China, which proponents say is to protect campuses from intellectual property theft. Opponents, however, argue that this way of restricting individuals is not a wise approach and that the problem should be addressed through preventive measures and appropriate safeguards, rather than creating antagonism between individuals.
The law goes into effect and means a lengthy review and waiting process for those seeking graduate teaching assistant or postdoctoral positions at a Florida university or college. While graduate programs can still admit students from these countries, they will not be able to participate in paid research projects.
University of Florida faculty have expressed their dissatisfaction and concern about the bill. Among them, Peng Zhongren, a professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and director of the International Center for Adaptive Planning and Design, said that because of the uncertainty of the bill, the university missed the best time to recruit Chinese graduate students in the fall of 2024, which affected its academic reputation.
*In the book, teachers mention that many of the best students come from countries such as China and Iran, and they are concerned that this enrollment restriction could lead to a decline in the school's international standing. Currently, the University of Florida employs about 350 graduate teaching assistants and 200 postdoctoral fellows from the seven countries involved, giving faculty a glimpse of the larger knock-on effects that the new law will have.
In addition, professors Xie Wenjun and Li Chenglong of the School of Pharmacy have expressed concern that restricting students from countries such as China from enrolling or participating in research will negatively impact the staffing of laboratories and weaken their ability to access federal research funding. Lee also noted that the practice appears to conflict with U.S. laws prohibiting discrimination against individuals receiving federal funding.
In the current context of globalization, international cooperation in the field of education and scientific research is becoming more and more important. The introduction of SB 846 has caused a lot of controversy, especially among American college teachers. In response to this problem, it is necessary to ensure the safety of campuses and ensure the normal progress of international cooperation to promote the prosperity of global scientific research and academic exchanges.