NEAR Newsletter December 2008
Welcome to the NEAR Newsletter. In this edition you will find our most recent Action Alerts and also an ‘Academic Freedom in the Media’ section, listing news by country (December 2008). Any comments and suggestions about the content and layout of the newsletter will be gratefully received at roisin.joyce@nearinternational.org.
NEAR Action Alerts *Taken from the NEAR website
Israel / Palestine: UK Academic Union ‘Abandons Boycott’ of Israeli Universities
The UK’s University and College Union (UCU) has apparently abandoned attempts to ‘boycott’ Israeli universities, according to opponents of the motion passed in May this year. The motion endorsed a call to ‘consider the moral and political implications of educational links with Israeli institutions, and to discuss the occupation with individuals and institutions concerned, including Israeli colleagues.’ According to The Guardian, the leadership of the UCU has quietly dropped plans to implement the motion, after facing a substantial legal challenge.
Israel / Palestine: Islamic University in Gaza Attacked
The Islamic University in Gaza, an independent Palestinian university established in 1978, has been bombed by Israeli warplanes. The attack took place on Sunday 28th December and while the scale of the damage is still not known, reports suggest that a science laboratory was targeted. Fortunately, the university was evacuated before the Israeli assault began and there were no casualties.
** Please continue to send us any relevant cases involving threats to academic freedom and education rights, for potential alerts.
Academic Freedom in the Media *By country, taken from the NEAR website
Greece
University in Athens, epicenter of riots, is drawing a potent mix of radicals
International Herald Tribune, 15/12/2008
India
Mumbai Attacks May Make Australian Universities Hesitate in India
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 03/12/2008
Iran
Iran students protest amid heavy security
AFP News, 08/12/2008
Iran's YouTube Generation
The Wall Street Journal, 15/12/2008
Farzad Kamangar still at risk in the Evin Prison
Education International, 22/12/2008
American Academic Interrogated In Iran
CBS News, 30/12/2008
Israel / Palestine
Academics have abandoned Israeli boycott, say opponents
The Guardian, 10/12/2008
Israel bombs Islamic university in Gaza
Reuters, 28/12/2008
Israel strikes key Hamas offices
BBC News, 29/12/2008
Bombing of Islamic University: Strategic Target or War Crime?
FOX News, 30/12/2008
Where’s the Academic Outrage Over the Bombing of a University in Gaza?
Dissident Voice, 31/12/2008
South Africa
Why I am resigning - Professor Nithaya Chetty
Politics Web, 03/12/2008
Academic freedom at risk, this time from within
Business Day, 05/12/2008
The wrecking of a university
Politics Web, 05/12/2008
South Africa: Education Crisis
AllAfrica News, 05/12/2008
UKZN: Legal showdown looms over bid to bar Chetty from seminar
The Witness, 09/12/2008
UKZN academic freedom clash turns nasty
The Times, South Africa, 13/12/2008
UKZN academic freedom to be probed
Independent Online, 15/12/2008
Critics reject KwaZulu-Natal academic freedom inquiry
Business Day, 17/12/2008
South Korea
Influx of foreign professors creates new problems for universities
The Hankyoreh, 05/12/2008
Turkey
Turkish academics in apology to Armenians
The Independent, 15/12/2008
United Kingdom
Study challenges claims of Islamic extremism among students
The Guardian, 04/12/2008
Weaker pound could attract more overseas students
The Guardian, 04/12/2008
United States of America
UC professor under fire for White House memo
San Francisco Chronicle, 05/12/2008
David Horowitz Does the MLA
Inside Higher Education, 30/12/2008
Zimbabwe
Five teachers among sweep of arrests of union leaders
Education International, 03/12/2008
Zimbabwe: Ten teachers released, but four still incarcerated
Education International, 04/12/2008
The Network for Education and Academic Rights (NEAR) is a membership-based, non-governmental organisation which facilitates international collaboration between organisations active in issues of academic freedom and educational rights, and committed to promoting an understanding of, and respect for, the values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
For more information about NEAR, please visit our website at www.nearinternational.org
For further information please contact:-
Roisin Joyce
Deputy Director
roisin.joyce@nearinternational.org