UQ review will ‘protect’ freedom of speech amid Pavlou controversy
UQ will review its policies to better reflect models of academic freedom and freedom of speech, amid controversy over Chinese links and the suspension of a student activist.
Tertiary
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tertiary. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Policies will be reviewed and the Confucius Institute’s influence could be curtailed as the University of Queensland moves to protect “autonomy and academic freedom”.
UQ vice-chancellor Professor Peter Hoj yesterday revealed the university had begun reviewing its policies and their compatibility with the university’s code for the protection of freedom of speech and academic freedom.
High Commissioner writes to ‘concerned’ UK parliamentarians over Drew Pavlou’s suspension
University of Queensland has upheld its decision to suspend student Drew Pavlou after appeal
Board leaves student activist Drew Pavlou waiting on suspension decision
It follows the suspension of student activist Drew Pavlou for alleged misconduct, after Mr Pavlou led anti-China protests on campus and was vocal about UQ’s connections with China and the campus’ Confucius Institute.
Mr Pavlou alleged his suspension was a product of his anti-China views, which UQ denied.
In an open letter yesterday, Prof Hoj wrote: “UQ is... reflecting on how we engage to ensure our partnerships, both domestic and international, continue to benefit Australia and further protect our values.
“Examples include … provisions in our Confucius Institute and Ramsay Centre agreements that strengthen protection of our autonomy and academic freedom.
“The Confucius Institute has no involvement in credit-bearing courses, and UQ’s Confucius Institute staff are subject to Australian laws and UQ policies.”
Prof Hoj defended the university’s values, claiming freedom of speech was of the utmost importance and was not censored on campuses.
“It has been fiercely protected by staff and students for decades – exemplified by demonstrations against the Vietnam War in the 1960s and the 1971 anti-apartheid protests,” he wrote.
“There have also been rallies in support of the Hong Kong protests, a film screening of China’s Artful Dissident.”
Professor Hoj also said the university’s relationship with China was longstanding, productive but carefully established, and exerted no influence over UQ’s teachings.
He said revenue from international students was crucial to the university’s operation, and revealed the university was taking action to ensure those relationships did not encroach on academic liberties.
“As we confront the reality of a global recession, it is critical that we continue to engage with a multitude of countries and corporate entities in a clear-eyed way that does not compromise our values or our commitment to free speech,” he wrote.
Approximately 20 per cent of UQ’s revenue comes from Chinese student fees.
However Prof Hoj said: “UQ does not derive as much revenue from Chinese student fees as several other Group of Eight universities.”