Professor Peter K. Bol of Harvard on academia and current climate

Editor's Note: This video excerpt from CGTN's "Talk to Sinologists" interview series features Peter K. Bol, The Charles H. Carswell Professor of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University and this year's recipient of the 18th Special Book Award of China. The video segment captures Professor Bol's thoughts on the academic profession and the current climate within higher education. Adding timely context to Professor Bol's remarks, news reported locally in Boston on June 23rd highlights the ongoing challenges he discusses – a U.S. federal judge blocked the Trump administration's plan to prevent foreign nationals from entering the country to study at Harvard University, underscoring the tensions between the administration and the prestigious institution.

In a recent interview for CGTN's "East Encounters West: Talk to Sinologists" series, Harvard Professor Peter K. Bol reflects on his career in academia. When asked about the allure of Harvard, Professor Bol acknowledged its prestige but emphasized that the fundamental joy of teaching and inspiring students exists across universities. He noted that Harvard's unique characteristic as a research institution lies in its equal emphasis on both teaching and rigorous scholarly work, which he finds deeply rewarding.

Addressing Harvard's current serious challenges, which Professor Bol sees as impacting the entire U.S. academic community and the future of university contributions to science and medicine, he also noted a wider societal hostility towards liberal education. He cautioned about the potential negative consequences of this trend. However, Professor Bol offered a historical perspective, emphasizing Harvard's long history since its founding in 1636, well before the United States existed, as a testament to its resilience.

Executive Producer: Zhang Jingwen

Producer: Yang Sha

Directors: Zhong Xia, Zhang Yuying

Cinematographers: Gao Zhihong, Leng Junpeng

Cover image designer: Liu Shaozhen