University Of Tennessee Ends Ties With Chinese Scholarship Program

Image Credit: University of Tennessee Knoxville / Facebook

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

After Republican members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) urged seven schools in the country to do so, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT) has terminated its agreement with the China Scholarship Council (CSC), an organization affiliated with China’s Ministry of Education.

In their request letter, committee members noted security risks with this and similar programs allowing foreign students to work on federally funded government projects, calling the program a “nefarious mechanism” to steal technology for the Chinese government. 

Though described as merely a study abroad program, Committee Chair U.S. Rep. John Moolenar stated the program was in reality, “a CCP-managed technology transfer effort that exploits U.S. institutions and directly supports China’s military and scientific growth.”

Tennessee and the CSC entered a memorandum of understanding in 2024 wherein UT and CSC would select students to enroll in the university’s graduate programs with both groups paying part of the scholarship. 

Reportedly, the program would fund students between 24-48 months depending on their program, with up to 10 students each in the PhD and Master’s tracks per year. The CSC would provide the in-state tuition, round-trip international airfare, and visa application fees for each student while UT covered the out-of-state tuition and graduate assistantships, each of which included a funding package.

UT sent a notice of termination to CSC on July 10. A university spokesperson relayed that three students will be affected by the decision, and they are currently “assessing” these impacts.

Several other schools received the same letter from the House Committee including Dartmouth, Notre Dame, Temple University, and three campuses of University of California. Dartmouth and Notre Dame have reported they already have initiated their breaks with the program.

About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.