MPs Criticise Universities for Accepting Donations from Authoritarian Regimes with Dubious Human Rights Records
MPs and experts have highlighted the hundreds of million pounds of UAE funding for British universities; these donations are often earmarked for Middle Eastern or Islamic studies. Concerns have been raised about the subsequent impartiality of academic teaching and research due to the UAE’s record of human rights violations.
The Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at Exeter University has received £8 million over the past twenty years from one UAE ruler, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad al-Qasimi, who was described as “the university’s single most important supporter”. Additionally, even after some reservations were expressed, University College London accepted a £60 million donation from UAE founder’s widow, Sheika Fatima bint Mubarak, for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
This is but one example of investment in the UK from authoritarian regimes, such as UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who are all responsible for huge human rights violations which include arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearances. For example, Dubai International Capital (DIC), which is controlled by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, owns the Travelodge budget hotel franchise and holds a ⅓ share in the London Eye, amongst others.
Investment in universities is particularly questionable as it calls into question the ability of academics to act with the necessary impartiality, especially when the subject in question relates to Middle Eastern studies. For this reason, it is important that British MPs such as Robert Halfon have criticised this and called for universities to “think very carefully” about where they accept money from.
This close relationship between the UK and the UAE must be revised in the light of the UAE’s appalling track record in relation to human rights. It is abhorrent that UK institutions are accepting large donations from dictatorships, as this can enable these regimes to extend their influence into academic establishments by dictating research agendas and shaping academic discourse. As Britain moves towards Brexit and seeks to strengthen non-EU trading relationships, it is vital that there is no cooperation with authoritarian regimes, such as the UAE, who show no respect for basic human rights.
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