NEWS The ongoing conflicts in the world have led to requests and demands for both Swedish and foreign universities to take a stand. At Umeå University, students have also organised several demonstrations for Gaza on campus. As the issue may be of interest to more than just the university's employees, Umeå University has chosen to publish the otherwise internal management blog by Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg in its entirety here as well:
In light of the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine, Umeå University, along with other universities, is under pressure to take a position on the conflict. The University strongly defends freedom and has an important democratic mission. At the same time, it is important to defend the University’s integrity and society’s long-term trust. I admit that, as the Vice-Chancellor, balancing these demands is difficult in times like these.
As a person, it is incredibly difficult to understand the horror and suffering occurring in Gaza, and many independent international groups point to the war crimes, starvation and death that the violence and denied humanitarian aid are causing among Palestinians. The other day I met with students active in support of the Palestinians, and we discussed how, as a university, we should and can respond. The students rightly pointed out how schools and universities are targeted in armed conflicts. As higher education institutions stand for independent, critical analysis, we are easy targets for autocrats.
I am convinced of the power of knowledge and the importance of open, academic discussions for a democratic society. By defending the university as an independent arena for research and education and international academic cooperation, we provide the foundation for the academic freedom of individual researchers, teachers and students to seek out new knowledge and use an academic approach to express their opinions and their criticisms. This approach also aligns with the principle that universities should be institutionally neutral in political and social questions, which was first articulated in the 1967 Kalven Report from the University of Chicago. Report on the University’s Role in Political and Social Action | Office of the Provost
This does not mean, however, that as a university and an academic institution, we sit on the sidelines. Umeå University is active in two main ways. We enable research and education to contribute knowledge and we encourage academic discussions that explore current social questions and international conflicts in light of different perspectives. We also serve as a safe haven for teachers and researchers under threat. We do this within the framework of such programmes as Scholars at Risk, a collaboration that we are eager to expand. I believe this is where we can best help, enabling researchers, and hopefully also students, who are at risk in other countries to be able to continue their work.
Is there more we can do to help within research and education in this case or others? This is something we continue to discuss internally. I also continue to discuss these issues with other vice-chancellors at higher education institutions throughout Sweden.
Umeå University’s role as a higher education institution is first and foremost to be an independent arena for research and education, where individuals can exercise their academic freedom. It is through the knowledge of our teachers and researches and through our students that the University’s voice can be and should be heard regarding international conflicts.
Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor at Umeå University
