Tag: Saudi Arabia

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Response to the University’s Announcement on Saudi Arabia

Response to the University’s Announcement on Saudi Arabia

An announcement in the recent LU Staff Newsletter states that the University has decided not to pursue a teaching presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  UCU members across the University have been at the forefront of highlighting the enormous risks around staff and student human rights with which we would have had to contend in the country.  For example the ongoing repression of women, criminalisation and execution of members of the LGBT+ community, and the outlawing of trades unions and collective bargaining. We have also drawn attention to more specific concerns around the maintenance of academic standards and the impossibility of maintaining academic freedom under such a repressive regime. 

We have collectively provided challenge in our union negotiating forums, in General Assemblies, in school, department and group meetings, in the face of what often felt like very anecdotal positions.  We have educated our colleagues and students on the issues, and built allyship across our campuses.  We are, therefore, delighted that the senior leadership of the University have come to this reasoned conclusion. We are also pleased about the potential to welcome more Saudi students to our campuses, and other opportunities we may have to make positive change while maintaining our core values.

A message we have heard from some colleagues over the last year, especially those not used to challenging management, is along the lines “I’m horrified about this, but what can you do?  It’s all been decided already, hasn’t it.”  This outcome shows that we were right to keep trying, to keep making the argument, to keep educating.  It demonstrates the value and strength of collective action in getting our voices heard.

Thank you to all who spoke up, and well done.

LUCU Committee

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LU General Assembly Report

LU General Assembly Report

At the request of Loughborough UCU, a General Assembly was held on the 6th of June, specifically to discuss the University’s plans for a partnership with Saudi Arabia.  This had been described as “an in-country teaching delivery offer” which raises major concerns about the rights and freedoms of staff and students who would be employed or studying there.  Of particular concern to the campus unions is the fact that unions do not exist in Saudi Arabia.  This has the potential for the project to fundamentally undermine the Partnership and Recognition Agreement, which defines our relationship with the University and in which “all parties recognise the value to good employee relations of staff being properly represented by one of the recognised unions”. Academic Freedom, and the lack thereof in Saudi Arabia, is also a crucial issue. 

In both cases creating a Loughborough entity with such radically different conditions and context threatens not only the safety and wellbeing of members of the University in Saudi Arabia, but also has the potential to set precedents for poorer conditions for our staff more generally.  Our concerns were articulated in a motion submitted to the General Assembly, which was overwhelmingly supported by the meeting, and subsequently communicated to University Council.  Support came from staff across the university and at all levels.

We are told that a final decision on whether to pursue this partnership, and in what form, will be taken by University Council in November.  LUCU will continue to push hard to ensure that our concerns are taken seriously, and that the University does not become complicit in sportswashing and human rights abuses.

Open meeting on Loughborough in Saudi Arabia

An open meeting for any staff who wish to share information, thoughts or feelings about the plans to open a teaching facility in Saudi Arabia and the implications for this given the country’s enforced lack of academic freedom and freedom of speech, oppression of women and the LGBT community, and other human rights concerns.

All Lboro staff welcome!

If you need the link to join please email ucu@lboro.ac.uk