TFAS has made the difficult decision to relocate our 2020 Asia program from Hong Kong to Singapore. Due to trepidation over the spread of the coronavirus in China, the potential safety concerns the virus could pose for our students in Hong Kong, and our ability to obtain visas in time, we have decided to move the program in order to prevent a cancellation.
Standing with Hong Kong
Since 2001, we have been proud to host our program in Hong Kong, which has been a stronghold of freedom in Asia and whose people exemplify an unwavering commitment to self-government. This was a very difficult decision for us to make and in no way an indication that the principles of TFAS are misaligned with the pro-democracy demands made in recent months. We continue to stand with Hong Kong.
In the past, we were forced to cancel the program due to the spread of SARS and are upholding that precedent as a reason to take action now. We do not know what will happen over the coming months, but this decision will allow us to avoid canceling the program in its entirety and depriving our students of the opportunity to study classical liberalism and connect with peer leaders from throughout Asia and the United States.
TFAS Asia 2020
Although we are sad to not be returning to Hong Kong this year, we are excited be partnering with the National University of Singapore (NUS) for TFAS Asia 2020. NUS is consistently ranked as one of the world’s top universities and second amongst universities in Asia.
As in years past, the 2020 program will bring together outstanding young leaders from across Asia and the U.S. for a three-week study of the principles of a free society. Through educational, cultural and social exchange, these student leaders will form life-long friendships and learn how America’s founding principles can help them advocate for freedom in their home countries.
In addition to a change in scenery, the TFAS Asia program will welcome new faculty and a refreshed curriculum in 2020. While continuing to demonstrate the power of free markets to generate prosperity, an updated course will now extend deeper into classical liberalism and introduce Asian student leaders to the ideas that animated our American Founding. Dr. David Azerrad, assistant professor and research fellow at the Hillsdale College’s Van Andel Graduate School of Government; Dr. Samuel Gregg, director of research at the Acton Institute; and Dr. Vincent Phillip Muñoz, the Tocqueville Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame; will lead students through an interdisciplinary examination of how economic and political freedom are intertwined.
We are looking forward to this new collaboration and being able to welcome a new class of students this July.
Spread the Word!
Due to these changes, we have extended the deadline to apply to TFAS Asia 2020 to April 1. The TFAS network of alumni and supporters has always played an essential role in spreading the word about our programs. These changes make it even more important that you help us recruit outstanding young leaders for TFAS Asia 2020. Please use the links below to share program deadlines and information through social media and your personal networks.
Share the TFAS Asia Program website with your network: TFASinternational.org/Asia
Nominate Outstanding Students: TFASinternational.org/Nominate