– I am happy that the board reached this decision. As an institution, it is our task – and also the board's – to protect the academic freedom of individual academic staff. We have a great responsibility as an employer and as a place of learning for all employees and students. Everyone must be looked after and be able to enjoy a safe and good working, learning and research environment, says Svein Stølen, Rector at the University of Oslo and Chairman of the Board.
UiO currently has no overarching institutional agreements with Israeli universities. Some of the board members wanted additional text stating that UiO will not enter into such collaborations with Israeli universities as long as the situation in the Gaza Strip is as precarious as it is today, but this did not receive a majority. At the same time, the board emphasises in its decision that it must be institutionally ensured that this type of ethical assessments are carried out in a satisfactory manner.
The University Board:
- condemns all violations of international law.
- calls for an immediate ceasefire and an end to attacks on civilians in the Gaza Strip and Israel, for humanitarian aid to be secured, and for the safe return of all captives, including those taken hostage by Hamas.
- condemns the destruction of the research and education sector in the Gaza Strip, where students and university staff have fallen victim.
- believes that an academic boycott of Israel is not expedient
- notes that the University of Oslo does not have any overarching institutional agreements with Israeli universities.
- emphasises that an academic responsibility comes with the individual's academic freedom. This means that all researcher-to-researcher collaboration must be based on an ethical assessment of the individual project in accordance with UiO's guidelines for research integrity and ethics; this includes which questions are asked, which methods are used, which partners one works with, and how the duty to convey the knowledge generated is taken care of.
- emphasises that it must be institutionally ensured that these ethical assessments are carried out in a satisfactory manner.
- asks the university director to ensure that researchers who wish to terminate ongoing collaborations receive support in such assessments and follow-up. Any financial consequences are covered by the university centrally.
- emphasises that the University of Oslo must be a safe place for all employees and students regardless of ethnicity, faith, and opinions, and encourages everyone to contribute to ensuring that the public debate is about the matter and not about the person or ethnicity.
In addition, a decision was made on what UiO can contribute to rebuilding the research and education sector in the Palestinian territories when conditions eventually allow it.
UiO:
- calls on the international community to ensure that humanitarian aid includes the rebuilding of the research and education sector in Gaza.
- asks the university director to arrange for the University of Oslo to actively contribute to rebuilding the research and education sector after the war, also by contributing to the establishment and further development of international alliances with the aim of offering higher education to refugees and displaced persons in general.
- will ensure that affected employees and students at UiO are looked after.
Read the full protocol here (Norwegian only)