Doctor Chen Yan Davis. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The ongoing pandemic of novel coronavirus has impacted exchanges in the education sector between China and the US, but US universities still welcome Chinese students though the two countries face tensions in some areas, an education expert said.

"Amy Gutmann, president of the University of Pennsylvania has made it clear that the university will be open to all international students," said Doctor Chen Yan Davis, special adviser to the university's president and co-founder and chairman of the World Education Forum.

"I believe the president's voice can represent universities of the Ivy League, even all universities in the US, that Chinese students are welcomed to study in the country, and they would do everything they can to help them finish school," the special adviser said.

She made the remarks at a seminar, "The Strategy and Development of International Education Coping with the Challenge of COVID-19 Pandemic" on Sunday. She shared her views on the significance of education to the world, as well as necessity of educational reform amid the outbreak.

An online seminar themed, "The Strategy and Development of International Education Coping with the Challenge of COVID-19 Pandemic" is held on April 19, 2020. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

With regard to the issue of studying in the US, which is a common concern of the Chinese public now, she said she firmly believes that the tension between the two countries will not affect the attitude of American universities towards Chinese students.

"In addition to promoting cultural exchanges between China and the US, Chinese students contributed $15 billion to the US economy in 2018, and from that perspective, American universities will never turn away Chinese students," Davis said.

The seminar included Chinese and foreign participants, including leaders from international education-related associations and organizations, overseas educational service providers, international school principals, and experts and scholars in the field of international education, who discussed international studies amid the outbreak.

Experts at the seminar generally agreed that the importance and development trend of studying abroad will not change, and educational and cultural exchanges between countries should be strengthened rather than weakened. And, all countries should step up coordination to cope with the challenges in the education field in the face of the outbreak.

It's also suggested that international education engagers, as well as students and parents concerned about international schools and studying abroad, should have confidence that the negative effects of the epidemic will be overcome.

The nearly four-hour online seminar, hosted by Institute of International Education South-South Cooperation, attracted more than 260,000 viewers from all walks of life.