Three public universities in Singapore are left with some students hanging after all students exchange programmes to Hong Kong have been suspended.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs' advisory has been issued to "defer non-essential travel to Hong Kong, given current developments".

The Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore and Singapore Management University have suspended all student exchange programmes.

The cancellation has affected student exchange programmes for the ongoing semester with immediate effect.

The universities were reported to have emailed their students regarding the suspension, according to Today.

The NUS email reportedly said that it was "informed by the Ministry of Education to postpone the exchange programme to Hong Kong this semester".

Affected students stuck without classes

While the exchange programmes have been cancelled or deferred, the semester still goes on for these affected students.

Many of the affected students are concerned about being unable to continue with their lessons for the current semester.

The three universities follow bidding and balloting methods for the application of their modules with limited slots available.

This means that affected students could be at risk of being unable to register any modules for the current semester, possibly delaying their graduation if they are unable to obtain the number of credits required to complete their degree within the expected duration.

Mothership has contacted the universities regarding their plans for the affected students.

Ongoing unrest in Hong Kong

It has been 11 weeks since the start of the Hong Kong protests, which began in June 2019.

Due to the unrest and large-scale protests going on, MFA issued an advisory on Aug. 16 to "defer non-essential travel" to the city.

Several flights have been cancelled due to protesters holding demonstrations at the airport, leaving many visitors stranded.

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Cover image via NTU, @ayanchiu/Twitter