Education minister nuances US survey on diversity at universities
The US government has reportedly sent a questionnaire to some Flemish universities asking about their diversity policies. Flemish Education minister Zuhal Demir made the claim on Thursday during a meeting of the Education Committee. However, her office later clarified the statement, saying the questionnaire may have reached university researchers by mistake, but was not directly addressed to the universities themselves.
"A questionnaire was sent out months ago by the US government and distributed through the American embassy to suppliers - that is, companies - in Belgium," Demir's office explained. "It was not specifically addressed to universities."
According to the minister's office, the document may have ended up in the hands of researchers by mistake.
"Documents are currently circulating among foreign researchers, and these sometimes find their way to Flemish researchers as a result of international cooperation. But this is not part of a deliberate top-down policy. Nevertheless, we remain vigilant against possible foreign influence."
An inter-ministerial meeting on the broader relationship with the US is scheduled for this week, Demir told the committee. The questionnaire is expected to be discussed there.
"The developments in the US are worrying. Foreign interference is unacceptable. We've never tolerated it," said Demir. "Our universities are bastions of freedom of thought. Even in difficult times, we have to defend this principle in a democracy."
#FlandersNewsService | Illustration, KU Leuven © PHOTO BELGIAN FREELANCE
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