In a candid interview with CGTN’s East Encounters West: Talk to Sinologists, Harvard Professor Peter K. Bol, a leading authority on Chinese history and recipient of China’s prestigious Special Book Award, shared insights into the evolving role of academia amid global tensions. Bol emphasized the universal value of teaching across institutions while highlighting Harvard’s dual focus on research and mentorship as its defining strength.
Addressing systemic challenges facing U.S. higher education, Bol expressed concern over growing societal skepticism toward liberal arts and its implications for scientific and medical innovation. His remarks coincide with recent legal developments in Boston, where a federal judge blocked efforts to restrict foreign students’ access to U.S. universities—a decision underscoring the intersection of geopolitics and academic freedom.
Despite current pressures, Bol drew optimism from Harvard’s 388-year legacy, noting its endurance through historical upheavals. "The mission to cultivate curious minds transcends political cycles," he observed, framing today’s debates as part of academia’s continual adaptation to global changes.
