JOBS AND EDUCATION
Is the American dream for students crumbling under the weight of the tariff war? – The Times of India

Countless students across the globe grow up dreaming of America. Not for its skylines or celebrities. But for its classrooms. The Ivy Leagues and sprawling classrooms of American universities reverberate with a promise of intellectual freedom, imparting top-notch education. But that dream, carried by the world’s brightest minds, is getting fractured under the immense strain of a tariff war that shows no signs of relenting.
Recently, President Donald Trump imposed sweeping new tariffs of 10% on all imports, with punitive rates of up to 50% for countries deemed to have major trade imbalances. Framed as an act of economic preservation—a bold stroke to enshrine domestic industry and reset global trade terms—the administration has painted it as a patriotic pivot. But in this high-stakes recalibration, one truth has been shrugged under the carpet of political crisis: The collateral damage is not restricted to shipping docks or steel mills. It has pierced the very heart of American academia—reaching deep into its libraries, lecture halls, and dormitories.
As geopolitics devolves into a tug-of-war over tariffs, the American Dream is shackled in the crossfire. It now stands battered at the water’s edge, witnessing the aspirations of international students evaporate in the heat of a trade conflict they never signed up for. The ivory tower, once a symbol of promise, is fast translating into a labyrinth.
A policy meant for manufacturers, felt by students
The tariffs, enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, have hit developing economies hardest. Bangladesh, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar—nations that are not only major exporters of goods to the US but also home to tens of thousands of students who aspire to study in American institutions—now face punitive import taxes of up to 50%.
These countries don’t just send textiles and electronics—they send human potential. In 2023–24 alone, the US hosted over 277,398 students from China and 331,702 students from India, according to media reports. These students contribute billions to the US economy.
Yet, under the garb of economic nationalism, they have been pushed to the brink and left to suffer.
The rising cost of opportunity
An average international student already pays full tuition- often two to three times what in-state students pay- without access to US federal aid. Now, with the cost of essential goods such as laptops, lab equipment, and economics skyrocketing in the state, thanks to new tariffs, the noose of financial strain is further tightening.
A modest laptop that once cost $600 may now exceed $750 or more when manufactured in Vietnam or China. Import costs for technical equipment—critical for engineering and science students—have soared. Even second-hand academic supplies are being rerouted through tariff-exempt countries, increasing both price and delay.
The damage may be hidden, but it is real. Deferred admissions are surging. Enrollment from tariff-hit countries is dropping. As the financial crisis exacerbates, the talent pipeline of the US – one of its greatest assets providing vital global advantages- is silently drying up.
Education as collateral in a political war
Tariffs were formulated as economic weapons. But students are not strategic threats. They are not trade competitors. Rather, they are non-negotiable assets. Yet, by failing to exclude educational assets from tariff lists, the US government has effectively pushed the students into a long-term collateral damane in a battle over trade surplus.
Furthermore, the signal this sends globally is deeply reverberating. American education was once viewed as open, aspirational, and attainable for those willing to work for it. Today, it is being re-scripted as transactional, inaccessible, and politically weaponised.
Tariffs are hitting the job market too
The new tariffs, as high as 50% on goods from key student-sending countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, are not just economic pressure tools—they are destabilizing supply chains, raising costs, and prompting corporate pullbacks.
US-based companies reliant on global sourcing are cutting costs. And one of the first casualties of cost-cutting? International hiring.
Tech giants that once hired international graduates in droves are reassessing expansion. Manufacturing firms are delaying or cancelling internships for foreign students. Start-ups devoid of financial cushion and more vulnerable to price fluctuations in imported components are increasingly risk-averse about sponsoring visas.
The result: International students who spend tens of thousands of dollars on American degree are graduating in the once-called “land of opportunity” having meagre opportunities for them than promised.
The psychological cost
Keeping aside the logistical and economic ordeals, there lies a deeper immutable toll: Disillusionment. For international students, the American dream is not restricted to education. It is about showcasing talent and unleashing potential. It is hinged with planting roots in a meritocratic system that celebrated and championed hard work
But when you have invested for years, accrued student debt, and graduated with honours, only to move out of the “dream country” as your visa ran out or your job offer fell through. It doesn’t feel like a geopolitical challenge or bureaucratic failure. It feels like deception and betrayal.
The message is clear in black and white: Even if you learn here, do not expect ot belong here.
The ethical hypocrisy of “America First”
Silicon Valley cannot continue to celebrate its commitment to freedom, meritocracy, and innovation while simultaneously building financial barriers to sideline the very people who seek those values. The current tariff regime doesn’t just undermine trade – it undermines trust.
American classrooms that once were a sanctuary of talent from every nook of the globe is a saga of the past and no longer an economic reality.
This is not the “America First” strategy. It is “America Alone.”
JOBS AND EDUCATION
JKSET, LASET 2025 postponed to May 11, admit cards to be released in first week of May: Check official notification and revised schedule here – The Times of India

The University of Jammu has officially postponed the Jammu and Kashmir State Eligibility Test (JKSET) 2025 and Ladakh State Eligibility Test (LASET) 2025. As per the revised schedule, both exams will now be conducted on May 11, 2025. The decision to reschedule was taken due to a clash with an examination being held by the Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) on the earlier scheduled date, April 27, 2025.
The JKSET and LASET serve as eligibility tests for the post of Assistant Professor in colleges and universities in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The examinations will be conducted by the University of Jammu in two sessions on the same day.
JKSET, LASET 2025: Official notification
The official notification released by the University of Jammu reads, “It is notified for the information of all the concerned that JKSET/LASET-2025 examination earlier scheduled on 27.04.2025 (Sunday) has been postponed due to clash with an Examination of Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) and now shall be held on 11.05.2025 (Sunday).”
The complete notification can be read here.
JKSET, LASET 2025: Revised schedule
Candidates can check the revised schedule for JKSET, LASET as given in the table here:
JKSET, LASET 2025: Admit card details
The University of Jammu is expected to issue the admit cards for JKSET and LASET 2025 in the first week of May 2025. Candidates can download their hall tickets from the official website, jujkset.in, using their login credentials. The admit card will include details such as exam centre, roll number, timings, and important instructions.
JKSET, LASET 2025: Exam pattern
The JKSET/LASET exam is designed to evaluate a candidate’s eligibility for teaching positions in higher education institutions. The test will be conducted in two papers:
Paper 1:
- Common to all candidates
- Tests general teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness
Paper 2:
- Subject-specific paper
- Assesses in-depth knowledge of the chosen subject
JOBS AND EDUCATION
WBBSE Madhyamik Pariksha result 2025 will be released on this date: Check details here – The Times of India

West Bengal SSC Madhyamik results 2025: The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) has officially announced that the results of the Madhyamik Pariksha (Secondary Examination) 2025 will be declared on May 2, 2025, at 9:00 AM. The announcement will be made through a press conference by the President of the Ad-hoc Committee, WBBSE, as stated in a press note issued on Wednesday.
As per the circular signed by WBBSE Secretary Subrata Ghosh, students will be able to access their results from 9:45 AM onwards on May 2 via multiple official websites and mobile applications. Furthermore, schools will be able to collect mark sheets and certificates from their respective camp offices of the Board from May 2, 2025, 10:00 AM.
Official websites to check results
Students can check their results on the following websites:
- www.wbbse.wb.gov.in
- www.wbresults.nic.in
- www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education
West Bengal Madhyamik result 2025: Steps to download
Candidates can follow the steps mentioned here to download the West Bengal Madhyamik results 2025 from the official website once it is made available:
- Visit the official result portal: Go to any of the authorised websites such as wbbse.wb.gov.in or wbresults.nic.in, or other listed platforms released by WBBSE.
- Click on the result link: On the homepage, find and click the link that says “West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2025” or a similar result declaration title.
- Enter login credentials: Input your roll number and date of birth as mentioned on your admit card in the respective fields.
- Submit and view result: After verifying the entered details, click on the submit button. Your result will be displayed on the screen.
- Download and print: Download the result for reference and take a printout for official use until the original mark sheet is issued by your school.
JOBS AND EDUCATION
Will AI dismantle gender gatekeeping in tech or simply repaint the gates? – The Times of India

Every few decades, the saga of technology introduces a new tool that promises to redefine the existing narratives. The printing press, the internet, the smartphone—each claimed to democratise access, level the field, and shatter age-old hierarchies. Now, Generative AI has knocked on the doors—not with a whisper, but with a roar—demanding attention and igniting widespread speculation. This time, the stakes are unmistakably gendered.
For generations, the tech world has been framed as a man’s domain—a narrative reflected not just in perception, but in participation. The underrepresentation of women in tech continues to underscore the imbalance, adding statistical weight to this longstanding divide.
There is a growing chorus asking a question we cannot afford to shrug under the carpet: Will AI tear down the ceilings that have long pushed women to the fringes of tech, or will it merely give those walls a sleeker, shinier finish?
The great equalizer or a familiar divide?
On paper, the data narrates an optimistic story. According to BCG and Nasscom’s 2024 report titled “GenAI: The Diversity Game Changer We Can’t Ignore”, a striking 65% of both men and women believe GenAI could be a powerful force for inclusion in the technology sector. Adoption levels in India are equally promising: 80% of women and 76% of men working in tech report active use of GenAI tools
And yet, under the veil of these numbers peeks an uncomfortable truth: The deeper you go, the more the cracks appear. Senior Indian women trail their male counterparts in GenAI adoption by 9 percentage points, even as global trends show senior women leading men by 12 points in uptake. At first glance, it appears that women are catching up. But is that the full picture, or just a well-lit corner of a much darker room?
A new bias in the making
Even as women embark on tech-related roles in huge numbers- comprising 36% of India’s 5 million IT workforce- they remain primarily underrepresented in leadership roles- holding only 4–8% of executive roles, compared to 14% globally. The GenAI revolution threatens to replicate this imbalance unless immediate interventions are made.
Despite strong ambitions—42% of women rate their career goals as “very high,” surpassing men at 35%—women still find themselves hitting the same invisible barriers. Are they lacking effort? The reports scream an emphatic no. It suggests that 95% of junior women and 100% of senior women are willing to go the extra mile in GenAI-related roles.
So what’s holding them back?
The answers are stark: Limited access to tools, lack of mentorship, inadequate knowledge, fear of failure, and a deeply ingrained fear of being judged. In senior roles especially, only 35% of women feel truly prepared to work with GenAI tools, even though 90% see them as pivotal to future success.
GenAI jobs: Where women disappear
The drop-off gives an even more alarming viewpoint when examining the specific GenAI roles. For example, men dominate the position of Head or Director of Machine Learning (79%) and AI Researcher (46%), leaving women significantly behind in key leadership posts. While women hold 43% of junior tech jobs, their representation in GenAI at the same level is only 33%, signaling an exclusion from the cutting-edge frontier of their own field.
This is not just a pipeline problem. It’s a failure of ecosystems that have yet to create inclusive career pathways, tailored upskilling, and environments where women feel trusted and supported.
This is not just a pipeline ordeal. It is a failure of ecosystems that have yet to create inclusive career pathways, customised upskilling, and environments where women feel secured, supported, and trusted.
Diversity is not charity—it’s strategy
Diversity is not for embellishment of rulebooks. There’s a reason companies with diverse leadership tend to perform better. The report brings forth that diverse teams enjoy 19 percentage points higher innovation revenue and 9 points higher EBIT margins as compared to less diverse peers.
In AI development, where bias is real and a dangerous threat, diverse teams are not just important- they are essential.
The blueprint for real change
We cannot stop at the diagnosis of the problem; we need action. If GenAI is to become a tool of equity rather than exclusion, here’s what needs to happen now according to the report:
- Redesign leadership teams working on GenAI to include diverse, ethical perspectives.
- Define clear career pathways in GenAI—only 67% of women see these as visible today.
- Support flexible work models, especially for senior women who juggle multiple roles.
- Ramp up mentorship—only 35% of non-tech women currently receive it.
- Mandate ethical AI training early in the career cycle to build confidence and accountability.
Organizations that embed these changes won’t just advance women—they’ll future-proof their technology against bias, inefficiency, and ethical blind spots.
Breaking the gates or repainting them?
The promise of GenAI is real. But promises falter, as history suggests. If left unchecked, GenAI could become just another polished surface reflecting the same systemic exclusions that have always moulded technology. But if harnessed with intention, it could be the most powerful equaliser we have ever built.
The kingpin of the future is not just intelligent machines- it is about inclusive minds behind them. The gates won’t fall on their own. We must choose to break them.
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