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In autumn 1983, my Pan Am flight from Riyadh to Boston via New York landed in Massachusetts’ freezing weather. The next day, I visited the Holyoke Center at Harvard University to finalize my registration with the admissions office for the Certificate in Special Studies program. When I asked about the Saudi graduate students there, they told me there were two: Musaad Al-Aiban and Ali Al-Shihabi. Before the end of the week, I met both of them, and they were very helpful in giving me advice on how to cope with my new life at Harvard.

Harvard University is a beacon of academic excellence, research innovation, and social impact. Its enduring legacy, spanning centuries, is built upon a foundation of rigorous scholarship, distinguished faculty, and a commitment to the pursuit of knowledge. It operates under the guidance of its governing board, the Harvard Corporation, and is dedicated to promoting education and research. While it receives significant funding from various sources, including federal grants, it maintains autonomy in its academic programs and policies. This independence enables Harvard to pursue its educational objectives and uphold its values, even in the face of political pressures or public controversies.

Harvard’s stance on the Palestinian cause is complex and often subject to varied interpretation. The university facilitates academic discussions, events, and speakers addressing Palestinian rights and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which some view as support for Palestinian advocacy. Student groups, such as Students for Justice in Palestine, actively campaign for Palestinian rights, and Harvard’s faculty frequently engage in these discussions through research and publications. Nevertheless, Harvard officially upholds a position of neutrality, emphasizing academic freedom and the importance of diverse perspectives in its educational environment.

Harvard’s stance on the Palestinian cause is complex and often subject to varied interpretation. The university facilitates academic discussions, events, and speakers addressing Palestinian rights and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which some view as support for Palestinian advocacy.

Basil M.K. Al-Ghalayini

Harvard University hosts numerous international students, enrolling thousands each year from various countries. In recent academic years, the international student population has generally constituted about 20 percent of the student body. Among them, Saudi students represent a significant group, with hundreds attending Harvard annually, supported by scholarships and government programs. This diverse student body enhances Harvard’s global perspective and enriches its academic community, reflecting the university's commitment to attracting talent from around the world.

It is worth noting that eight US presidents have graduated from Harvard: John Quincy Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes, John F. Kennedy, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Additionally, many business leaders have studied at Harvard, including Michael Bloomberg, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Steve Ballmer.

Although I have not been to the US in recent years, I miss my time at Harvard, living in the beautiful city of Cambridge by the Charles River. On my first day of arrival, the university’s motto, Veritas — Latin for “truth” — impressed me. A university that prides itself on the noble pursuit of ethical academics aims to reflect integrity in all its facets. Mr. President, please keep it this way.

• Basil M.K. Al-Ghalayini is chairman and CEO of BMG Financial Group.