Washington: US President Donald Trump announced that his administration has reached a settlement with Harvard University, concluding months of negotiations. As part of the agreement, Harvard will pay USD 500 million.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Trump shared details of the agreement during an event in the Oval Office, mentioning that Education Secretary Linda McMahon is finalizing the details of the deal. The settlement includes Harvard’s commitment to operate trade schools focusing on artificial intelligence and other technical skills. This agreement marks a significant resolution of a high-profile dispute between the Trump administration and the prestigious Ivy League institution.
The conflict began after the Trump administration withheld over USD 2 billion in federal funding from Harvard in response to its handling of pro-Palestinian protests. Recently, Harvard secured a legal victory when a judge ruled that the government’s actions violated the university’s free speech rights by cutting off its federal funding.
In a related development, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced on Monday its decision to refer Harvard for administrative suspension and debarment proceedings. This move could prevent Harvard from engaging in contracts with government agencies or receiving federal funds, including research grants and student aid.