A learned reader reports from Philadelphia, where 10 000 international education experts are meeting at the “Diverse voices shared commitment” conference.

Much of the delegate talk is about how lovely key note speaker Laura Bush is, in contrast to the president, who they do not like at all. Industry association NAFSA is about to respond Mr Trump’s immigration policies with a “write your congressman” style of campaign about the importance of international students studying in the US.

There is also a new “you are welcome here” scheme, which the LR advises involves “a handful” of US universities each offering two half-fee one year scholarships to students who write an essay explaining how much they want to study in the US.

But what puzzles the LR is that despite all this, the major sponsor of the first day plenary was Education in Ireland, spruiking the slogan “world class standards, warmest of welcomes,” one of which the LR suggests over-does it.  At least, the LR says the Irish do not need an essay from applicants.