Bulletin: Academic Freedom Questions over Cancelled Gaza Talk; Blackmail Allegations at U. of Basra
A Blood-Tinged Mother’s Day
As we approach Mother’s Day, which is celebrated on March 21 in many Middle Eastern countries, the usual celebrations are overshadowed by the grim realities unfolding in Gaza and other conflict zones across the globe. The escalation of violence, bombings, and loss of lives paints a harrowing picture, with mothers bearing the heaviest toll in bloodshed and sorrow. This Mother’s Day carries a sombre essence, tinged with the taste of blood.
Countless mothers have either become martyrs or suffered profound grief from the loss of their loved ones. The future for the mothers of tomorrow seems uncertain in the face of ongoing turmoil. While words of resilience, gratitude, and empathy abound, they fall short in fully supporting Palestinian mothers, who endure immense hardship.
Amidst devastation, we find solace in the resilience and fortitude of Palestinian women, who continue to embody hope even in the darkest of times. Despite the endless challenges, we extend heartfelt wishes to the Palestinian mothers, expressing Happy Mother’s Day amidst adversity.
Our gratitude extends to every mother fulfilling her roles with love and dedication, often without seeking recognition. They are the pillars and queens of homes, educators of morals, and reservoirs of wisdom—a microcosm of our nations’ strength and endurance. To every mother, you are the embodiment of selflessness and boundless generosity.
I’d like to express my gratitude to all our colleagues at Al-Fanar Media, as well as to Ms. Nadia El-Goweli, executive director of Al-Fanar Media and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Alexandria Trust.
A special thank you goes to my beloved wife, who is my constant support, guiding light in challenging times, source of joy in moments of distress, and a comforting presence in times of sadness. I am also deeply thankful for my precious daughter, who represents the hope and brightness of the future.
My heartfelt thanks extend to my mother; may God bless her every breath and shower her path with goodness and blessings for all the kindness she has shown and continues to bestow upon me throughout my life.
Mohammad El-Hawary
Al-Fanar Media editor-in-chief
News from the Region
MESA Questions Why U.S. University Canceled Gaza Discussion
The Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) and its Committee on Academic Freedom have expressed concern over the cancellation of a panel discussion of the Israel-Gaza conflict at Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville (SIUE).
In a letter to leaders of the university, MESA wrote: “Your action in this matter calls into question the avowed commitment of your administration to respect and uphold the principles of academic freedom and the constitutionally protected right to free speech, as well as the standards of academic life.”
The panel, which had been scheduled for January 29, was to feature two scholars from the University of California at Los Angeles, David Myers and James Gelvin. MESA said it had obtained emails indicating that SIUE administrators’ decision to cancel the event was influenced by pressure from a small number of faculty members who falsely accused Professor Gelvin of anti-Semitism. MESA called on SIUE to release all records related to the decision and conduct an open investigation into the matter to ensure transparency and academic integrity.
MESA Says Israel’s Attacks on Palestinian Universities May Constitute War Crimes
MESA has also written to U.S. and U.N. officials to denounce Israel’s escalating assaults on Palestinian universities and targeting of students and faculty in the West Bank since October 7, 2023.
“Not only are these Israeli attacks direct infringements on academic freedom, but their severity and the collective punishment they entail may constitute war crimes,” the group wrote in a letter addressed to U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, U.N. Human Rights Council President Ambassador Omar Zniber, and U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese.
The letter said that aggressive Israeli actions had killed at least 13 university students, imprisoned students, faculty and staff members, destroyed university property, and imposed restrictions Palestinians’ movement that made it nearly impossible to reach schools and universities in the West Bank. It called these actions part of a long and systemic campaign of collective punishment practices that have “long severed critical organic ties between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, disproportionately affecting students from Gaza, who have faced myriad obstacles to studying in West Bank universities for years.”
The letter emphasised the need for immediate action to halt Israel’s attacks and restore normalcy to Palestinian universities. It called on the United States and the United Nations to enforce international legal norms, support a cease-fire, lift restrictions on movement, and ensure the protection of academic institutions, faculty, staff, and students in the region.
U. of Basra Dean Suspended Pending Investigation of Blackmail Allegations
The Iraqi minister of higher education has temporarily suspended the dean of the College of Computer Science and Information Technology at the University of Basra pending an investigation into allegations that he had blackmailed female students, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported. The ministry gave the investigative committee a deadline not exceeding 60 days to complete its inquiry.
The ministry’s step follows an uproar over video clips posted on social media that purportedly show the dean in compromising situations with female students in his office, CNN Arabic reported. Activists claimed that the motive for recording these video clips was to blackmail the students with academic grades. The university did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.
Sharjah Engineering College and Oil Company to Collaborate on Research Initiatives
In a move towards fostering innovation and addressing societal challenges, the American University of Sharjah’s College of Engineering has partnered with the Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) to spearhead research projects focused on sustainability and real-world solutions.
In a news release, the university said SNOC was funding six projects across various research clusters at the engineering college, with priorities on areas such as energy, water, sustainable environments, and material sciences. Notable projects include research on fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), hydrogen infrastructure, wastewater treatment, and pipeline integrity testing. These initiatives not only reflect a commitment to advancing sustainable practices, it said, but also highlight the crucial role of partnerships between academia and industry in driving meaningful change towards a more sustainable future.
4 Little-Known Perks of Attending an International Medical School
In the ever-expanding landscape of global education, an increasing number of aspiring medical students are venturing abroad to study medicine. To highlight this, St. George’s University School of Medicine, in the Caribbean nation of Grenada, shared a list of four lesser-known advantages of attending an international medical school.
According to an article by Corrine Vish, director of international admissions at the school, attending an international medical school can help students become more familiar with health concerns that may be significantly different from the ones they’re used to seeing, learn about different healthcare systems, enjoy more flexibility in starting their medical school program, and become acquainted with different cultures.
Attending an international medical school provides students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become acquainted with different cultures, Vish writes. Some of this is due to experiences outside the classroom, but they also learn a lot about their classmates and the people in their surrounding community. Students develop respect for other cultures, religions, beliefs by learning about different points of view.
Events and Festivals:
Legendary Saudi Musician Mohammed Abdo to Perform in Abu Dhabi
The esteemed Saudi singer and oud player Mohammed Abdo will perform at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on May 10.
Organisers say the legendary artist will present a selection of his most beloved songs in what promises to be an exceptional experience for fans of traditional Arab music. With a career spanning six decades, Mohammed Abdo has emerged as a pivotal figure in Saudi music, garnering widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally. Renowned for his unique style that resonates across the Gulf and the Arab world, Abdo’s impressive body of work includes over 125 albums and more than 300 patriotic songs. For tickets, click here.
From Al-Fanar Media:
Plan Lets Students of Gaza’s Shattered Universities Continue Studies Online
Palestinian officials have launched a plan to let students of Gaza’s heavily war-damaged universities enrol in online courses at universities in the West Bank. The Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education said the plan would allow Gazan students whose educations have been disrupted by the Israel-Hamas war to resume their studies at institutions in the West Bank. The ministry plans to enrol Gazans as visiting students in universities in the West Bank at no cost. Read more in this article.
Opinion:
Western Universities’ Double Standards on Liberal Values, Academic Freedom
The imposition of Western concepts of liberalism and democracy has been under scrutiny for years, especially when this occurs in times of war against communities that do not necessarily choose to align themselves with such ideologies. In recent days, the world has witnessed a display of double standards when it comes to liberal ideas and freedom of speech being practiced in academic institutions. Multiple academic institutions in the West have shut down individuals, faculty members, students, and entire departments for speaking up about topics that go against the political interests of the people in power or governments as a whole. Read more in this essay by two scholars at the Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University.
Tips and Resources:
Tools for Detecting AI-Assisted Writing and Research
Many smart tools that university faculty members can use for detecting AI-assisted writing and research are on the market. Al-Fanar Media took a look at some of them to see how they work. Since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, an increasing number of students have been turning to artificial intelligence-powered tools to write or assist them in writing university assignments. Read more in this article.
In Conflict:
Mauritanian University Students and Ministry Reach Accord after Months of Protests
After months of protests, Mauritanian university students and the country’s Ministry of Higher Education have reached an agreement that addresses key students demands and eases tensions on campuses. The National Union of Mauritanian Students and other student unions started a series of demonstrations and marches in mid-December to highlight their demands for improvements in educational and campus services at universities. Tensions escalated last month when security forces began intervening to disperse demonstrators. Student unions accused the ministry of “militarising” the University of Nouakchott campus. Read more in this article.
Scholarships
Al-Fanar Media maintains a database of quality scholarships available to Arab students, which we continuously update. To stay up to date on the latest scholarships available in international universities, check the Scholarships section here, and watch for updated feedback on free learning opportunities in our News and Reports section, here.
