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Dubai: Emirati academicians and intellectuals have said they would rather do without a US university in Dubai than allow entry to Israeli citizens after the university put on hold plans to set up a campus here.
The University of Connecticut confirmed to Gulf News that it has halted plans to open a campus in Dubai following concerns raised by pro-Israel politicians and interest groups who oppose the UAE;s policy of not permitting entry to Israelis.
"We have put this project on the backburner. We are not actively working on it now," said Peter Nichols, provost of the university.
Intellectuals here describeed the moves as anti-Arab, saying they reflect double standards of those who criticise the UAE.
"We have many prominent education institutions here, and don't need to give in to any conditions," said Dr Ebtisam Al Kitby, professor of political science at UAE University.
Political science professor Dr Abdul Khaleq Abdullah condemned the move, saying there was no place for politics in academic decisions.
"It's obvious that the ignorance (about Arabs) that prevails among the American public has crept into academics," he said.
Policy
Connecticut legislator Andrew Fleischmann told Gulf News he and his colleagues in the General Assembly would not allow such a deal to go through until the UAE "changed the way it deals with Israel" and improves the situation of foreign workers.
"If the (concerns) are not addressed, I will absolutely work to block such a partnership," he said. Israeli citizens are not allowed entry into the UAE, according to the Dubai Government's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing website, in line with the UAE's policy of non-normalisation of ties with the Jewish state until the Arab-Israeli conflict is resolved.
Dr Ebtisam Al Kitby, professor of political science at UAE University, said the moves demonstrated double standards on the part of the legislators, which were 'motivated by anti-Arab racism'.
"If they're so concerned about human rights why don't we see them protesting Israel's human rights violations against the Palestinians?" she said.
UConn is nonetheless 'very interested' in going ahead with the project, said Peter Nichols, Provost of UConn. "It's not impossible to resolve."
Fleischmann argued that "many" Israeli students and faculty members at UConn would be unable to benefit from such a programme if the UAE continued to deny them entry. Nichols agreed that it was "extremely important" that Israeli students had access to the Dubai campus of UConn, a public-funded university.
Israelis make up eight, or 0.03 per cent, of the 28,000-strong student body at the university. UConn has no Israeli faculty members.
Asked if Cuban nationals would be allowed easy access into the United States, Fleischmann admitted that it would be hard "but possible", saying the comparison was not fair.
Nichols said the University has discussed the matter with various interest groups including the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish pressure group which, at the time of the Dubai Ports World controversy last year, ran an active media and political campaign to "torpedo the deal" in protest of the UAE's economic boycott of Israel.
Despite that, argued Dr Ebtisam, Arab states continue to "send money to the United States".
Billions of dollars continue to be invested in the US hotel and real estate market by regional companies.
Representative Selim Noujaim, member of the Connecticut General Assembly and its Higher Education Committee, told Gulf News that the project "could come to a stalemate" if the legislators' demands were not met.
Have your say
Do you agree that American "ignorance" has crept into academia? Would you want this university to be established in the UAE? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.
Your comments
In this era of 'global village' opening up a branch of such a popular US university in Dubai would have been the right thing to do. It would benefit both nations and the student body in many ways, especially since the Gulf region is still far behind in the race to get higher education. Establishment of some of the American universities in the region has filled the vacuum to a certain level but much remains to be done. Its awesome to see how a tiny portion of politicians in US are able to leverage such ground breaking decisions to their favour simply by dragging politics in to such things. This is yet another proof of the influence of right wing neo-conservatives in US politics which, in the long run, back fires at the US foreign policy.
H. Mundock
Sharjah,UAE
Politics should not be allowed in educational campuses. The Israel issue is irrelevant and American universities should open in Dubai. This is like political blackmail that must not be allowed on an educational campus.
Dr. mansouri
Dubai,UAE
It is unfortunate that personal bias enters into such situations. When Zayed University announced that it would be allowing foreign female students to enroll on their Dubai campus, many current students complained to faculty. Fortunately, the administration did not bow to such views as the University of Connecticut team apparently has.
N. Sean
Dubai,UAE
Yet again the 'World's Policeman' meddles in another country's affairs. If the UAE academic authorities were to turn their backs on the US I would like to think they could turn to the UK for fair dealing but I think the rot has set in here too. It's a pity. I had loved and cherished my visits to Abu Dhabi. Hopefully, the bigots will not have it all their own way.
P. Bates
Kingussie,Scotland
Whether the UAE should recognise Israel or not is the UAE's issue and using this as a basis of not opening up satellite campus is ridiculous. Having said that, the UAE does have to do something about labour and other social issues.
Richard H.
New York,USA
Unless Israel withdraws from the 'Palestinian occupied territories', a term coined by the international court, and stops terrorising innocent civilians, there should be no normalisation of ties whatsoever. This deal will probably not go through because of the power of the pro-Israeli lobby in the US. Look what they did to Carter, now even he is an "anti-semite".
From A Reader
Vancouver,Canada
I think that the UAE government should budget for a PR campaign to educate the US population about the country and region. A 10-year plan should be in place to shift the stereotype and stigma Americans have about the region.
S. Jobs
Los Angeles,USA
There shouldn't be any compromise on allowing Israelis in the UAE, but it can be done only if Palestine is given full and equal share of its territory and respect for its human rights. Academics cannot be mixed with politics, and UAE has every right to allow or disallow certain nationals into the country. The University of Connecticut should go ahead with its plan of establishing the institution in the UAE. The UAE people and students are very tolerant and friendly. It will lead to mutual benefit for both countires and will help boost cultural understanding.
From A Reader
Hyderabad,India
There are so many universities around the world, that there is no need to submit to such demands. What are they, Harvard or something? If
they don't want to come, then
good riddance!
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
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