Category Archives: The Maghreb and the Middle East

The Perils of Being a Journalist

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Two more Moroccan journalists were fined today for reporting false information on the health of the King, Mohammed VI.  According to Agence France Presse

The editor of the daily al-Jarida al-Oula, Ali Anouzla, was handed a one year suspended jail term, while journalist Bouchra Eddou was also given a suspended sentence of three months.

The tribunal fined Anouzla 10,000 dirhams (876 euros, $1,315) and Eddou 5,000 dirhams.

Both men have appealed and accused the government of simply trying to clamp down on the press. As I noted previously, it continues a worrying trend. Continue reading →

Morocco to fund overhaul of universities / Conference for Arab youth and media takes place in Tunis

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This is good news.

The Moroccan government will provide universities with resources to boost reforms under a far-reaching 2009-20012 education emergency plan.

The government and universities signed 17 agreements to promote higher education at a ceremony on Tuesday (October 6th) presided over by King Mohammed VI. With nearly 12.6 billion dirhams earmarked for the improvements, the plan will enlarge and improve infrastructure, revamp facilities and instruction, increase universities’ intake capacity and promote scientific research.

But the investment is much needed.

The backdrop for the recent agreements is a 2007 World Bank report on education in the Arab world that sharply criticised Morocco for failing to implement widespread reforms. The report cited a lack of systematic evaluation of students, an alarming rise in dropout rates, the small budgets allocated to schools, and the inability of educational institutions to prepare students for the workforce. Following these findings, King Mohammed VI urged the government to create the emergency education plan.

You can read the full story “Morocco to fund overhaul of universities” on Magharebia.com, but I taught for six years in the Moroccan university system, and Moroccan university students deserve a system of education that is worthy of their academic talents and skills. 

Another article by Mona Yahia also, on Magharebia.com, discusses a recent meeting of Arab youth throughout the region.
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Young people from all over the Maghreb and the wider Arab world met in Tunis on Monday (October 5th) for a three-day seminar on moulding the media to match the aspirations of Arab youth.

Delegates from Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Qatar, Egypt, Yemen, Palestine and Sudan drafted a number of recommendations at the event, which took place under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Physical Education in collaboration with the Arab League.

“The topics discussed were important and motivated us to exchange expertise with participants from various countries, and discuss with them means of developing youth-oriented information in the Arab world, especially with the appearance of other media that can threaten youth,” said Karima Weslati, a member of the Tunisian media, who took part in the event.

The full story is availabe at”Arab youth call for media that reflect their interests” on Magharebia.com

Academic Freedom Media Review, September 25-October 2, 2009

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The Academic Freedom Media Review is a collection of articles compiled weekly by Scholars at Risk. This is the review for September 25 – October 2, 2009.

UWO joins effort to protect scholars
Chip Martin, London Free Press, 10/1

Peruvian Academic Receives Death Threats
NEAR, 10/1

Israeli Court Says University Bowed to Chinese Pressure in Closing Exhibit
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 10/1

Saudi cleric to king’s university: don’t teach evolution, mix sexes
Asma Alsharif, Reuters FaithWorld Blog, 10/1

Calvin College Faculty Asks Trustees to Withdraw Memo Against Gay Advocacy
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 10/1

Government threatened grant agency over Mideast conference
Anne McIlroy, Globe and Mail, 9/30
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New Saudi University Draws Criticism from High-Level Cleric
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 9/30

St. Louis U. Blocks David Horowitz Event
Scott Jaschik, Inside Higher Education, 9/29

LEBANON: Scholar angry at NATO after invitation to speak
Meris Lutz, The Los Angeles Times, 9/29

Tehran students protest on campus
BBC, 9/28

Venezuelan students keep up hunger strike
Reuters, 9/28

Universities in Philippines Close to Assist in Relief Efforts After Storm-Driven Floods
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 9/27

Academic Freedom Media Review

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The Academic Freedom Media Review is compiled weekly by the Scholars at Risk Network . The review for September 18 – 25, 2009 is re-posted here, albeit somewhat late.

Speaker takes note of protesters
Eric Weddle, Lafayette Journal and Courier, 9/25

Spain expels Israeli scientists from solar energy competition
Giles Tremlett, The Guardian, 9/24

First Dual-Degree Program for American and Palestinian Universities Opens
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 9/24

California: System Will Grant Degrees to Those Sent to Internment Camps
The New York Times, 9/24

Nobel laureate urges challenge to Ahmadinejad
Mary Fitzgerald, Irish Times, 9/23

Kentucky Attorney General Tells Community-College Board to Restore Tenure
Peter Schmidt, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 9/23

Students in Iran face purge over protest fears
Robert Tait, The Guardian, 9/22
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Beijing Students Pressed to Stop Protesting Lecturer’s Detention
Andrew Jacobs, The New York Times, 9/21

Islamic Scholars Plan for America’s First Muslim College
Kathryn Masterson, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 9/21

Columbia U. Provost Agrees to Meet with Critics of Palestinian Scholar’s Tenuring
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 9/21

GLOBAL: Academic Freedom: A realistic appraisal
Philip G. Altbach, University World News, 9/20

US: Professor fired over sexual harassment
University World News, 9/20

Academics concerned about the assault on Iranian Universities
Payvand Iran News, 9/18

Liberal Education Today : What Function for Study Abroad? Service Learning in International Studies Programs

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Liberal Education Today has published a brief piece I wrote about the integration of service learning programs and study abroad programs.

The post gives examples of study abroad programs with a service learning component at Sewanee: the University of the South, Luther College and Pitzer College that allow students to work with microfinance programs in South Asia, impoverished communities in Cape Town, and vaccine development programs in Botswana.  In each case the the service learning component provides experiential learning as students engage important social issues.

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Liberal Education Today (LET) is a blog reporting on emerging technologies relevant to higher education.  It is maintained by Bryan Alexander and engages topics including pedagogy, copyright, libraries, media services, social software and other developments in educational technology and liberal education.

Saudi Arabia Inaugurates New R&D University, American Scholars Plan for Muslim College

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Visualization Center at KAUST

Visualization Center at KAUST

Two similar, yet very different items about higher education came to my attention today. The first, from the Chronicle of Higher Education, is about two men who want to establish a four-year, fully accredited Muslim college and the challenges they face.

Sheik Hamza Yusuf and Imam Zaid Shakir share a vision for the next step in the evolution of Islam in America: creating the country’s first four-year, accredited Muslim college.

The two men, American scholars of Islam and leaders in the Muslim community, are criss-crossing the country building support for an institution they call Zaytuna College, which they plan to open next fall. The college will serve the nation’s growing Muslim population, blending traditional Islam and American culture and establishing a permanent place for the religion in American society.

Before any of that can happen, Zaytuna’s founders face steep challenges. They must hire a staff, establish a curriculum, develop admissions policies, and raise at least $5-million just to open their doors—all during a particularly trying time for college fund raising. At the same time, government scrutiny has put a chill on Muslim philanthropy.

Estimates are that there are more than 2,000 mosques and growing number of Islamic schools across the country. The founders plan to train the leaders of these institutions. Currently most of these institutions bring their leadership and teachers from overseas, whereas graduates from the college will be more familiar with American culture and traditions.

While this college is still in the idea stage, ArabCrunch reports a major new research university opened its doors today in Saudia Arabia, streaming its inaugural ceremonies live.

(The) King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is opening now. KAUST inauguration is very significant because it is the biggest technology R&D center and university in the Arab world and is supported by a multi-billion dollar endowment (Islamic Waqeef), thanks to the great support of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The University which is open to men and women from around the world offers degrees in 9 fields of study:

1. Applied Mathematics and Computational Science (AMCS)
2. Bioscience (B)
3. Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE)
4. Computer Science (CS) 5. Earth Science and Engineering (ErSE)
6. Electrical Engineering (EE)
7. Environmental Science and Engineering (EnSE)
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The university is a state of the art facility and the first coed institution in Saudi Arabia. It will bring together scholars from many cultures around the world, thus counteracting the rising tide of extremism.

“Humanity has been the target of vicious attacks from extremists, who speak the language of hatred,” King Abdullah said at the inauguration. “Undoubtedly, scientific centers that embrace all peoples are the first line of defense against extremists. And today this university will become a house of wisdom … a beacon of tolerance.”

Oil Minister Ali Naimi hailed the university’s opening as a pivotal step forward in the oil-rich kingdom’s quest to strengthen its economic base.

“With all the natural resources that God has endowed us, the kingdom is keen to diversify its sources of income for the future,” Naimi said in remarks carried by state media.

So far 817 students representing 61 different countries are currently enrolled, with 314 beginning classes this month while the rest are scheduled to start in the beginning of 2010. The aim is to expand to 2,000 students within eight to 10 years.

-via Saudi Arabia inaugurates its first coed university

Can Social Networking Redraw Boundaries?

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In cyberspace there are no boundaries or frontiers, yet it has a lot to say about borders and boundaries.  Not only is it used as a vehicle for nationalist, minority and anti-nationalist communication and propaganda, but there are attempts to actually assert borders in cyberspace.  There are national domain name extensions and ISPs are regulated by national agencies.  Anyone who has traveled just across the border to Canada or Mexico knows, you don’t have to go very far before you are off network if you try to use a mobile computing device and hence begin to incur massive international data charges.

Authoritarian regimes, in particular, attempt to assert national control through censorship, blocking access to politically sensitive or even morally offensive sites, at least as they see them.

Here, though, are two cases in which sites that have an international user base took decisions relating to territories in dispute.  The policies they came up with are interesting and probably the best available, given the status of these territories under international law.  All the major social networking sites are, in a very real sense, transnational.

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While Facebook is busy increasing our awareness of other people’s lives around the world, it stamps on globally sensitive nerves with one apparently very simple question: where do you live? Last week it started a controversy when it allowed residents of the Golan Heights to choose whether they lived in Syria or Israel. To put this in context: Israeli forces invaded and occupied the area in 1967, capturing it from Syria. They’ve controlled most of the area since. (The UN considers Golan a illegitimate part of Israel, and labels it Israeli-occupied territory.) But apparently Facebook considers itself an important enough global player to offer a re-drawing of the map. It’s not the first time: Facebook deems people in Kashmir as residents of India, though Pakistan and India control different portions of the embattled region, which has been in dispute for decades.

What do you think?  Social networking is a powerful thing and potentially and excellent tool for cross cultural interaction.  So I’m very interested in seeing how this plays out in the real world.  Read more at Could Social Networking Change the World.

Global Tweets

Global Tweets

Iranian Blogger Said to Be in Solitary Confinement – The Lede Blog – NYTimes.com

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Violations of Press Freedom should be of concern to us all.  When journalist are intimidated, then authoritarian forces can act with impunity. Here is the case of one Iranian blogger.

On Friday, an Iranian blogger and human rights activist, Mojtaba Samienejad, reported that a fellow blogger who had been working as a journalist for a reformist newspaper, Fariba Pajouh, has been in solitary confinement in Tehran’s Evin Prison for three weeks.

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via Iranian Blogger Said to Be in Solitary Confinement – The Lede Blog, September 11 – NYTimes.com.

Student air passenger handcuffed and questioned

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EIGHT YEARS after 9/11, we’re used to changes in our routines. We show ID to get into office buildings, and take off our shoes at airports.

But should a college student flying back to school be handcuffed and held for five hours because he has Arabic flash cards in his backpack?

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via Dave Davies: Student air passenger handcuffed to echoes of 9/11 fears | Philadelphia Daily News | 09/11/2009.

Follow that link and read this story.  It is disconcerting.  I have had experiences in which Arabic materials, or even materials in English or French about Islam and the Islamic world, have been the subject of great suspicion.  Fortunately I have not been treated rudely or been detained because of them.  It does worry me, though.

Innovative Practices for Challenging Times

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An message from Michael Nanfito and NITLE.

In March 2009, five exemplary projects from the liberal arts community received the NITLE Community Contribution Award, which includes an opportunity to publish a case study with Academic Commons. Today, I’m happy to announce the publication of “Innovative Practices for Challenging Times,” a new issue of Academic Commons that showcases these projects and gives readers a chance to find out how their leaders made them happen.

Articles featured in this issue of Academic Commons include:

“War News Radio” by Abdulla A. Mizead. Mizead tells how one creative alum, a group of dedicated students, and a supportive college community launched a new major reporting initiative covering the war zones in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“Come for the Content, Stay for the Community” by Ethan Benatan, Jezmynne Dene, Hilary Eppley, Margret Geselbracht, Elizabeth Jamieson, Adam Johnson, Barbara Reisner, Joanne Stewart, Lori Watson, and B. Scott Williams. Find out how a group of inorganic chemists used social networking technologies to build a scientific community for support, exchange of ideas, and friendship — all in the interest of improving chemistry education across campuses and having a bit of fun in the process.
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“Curricular Uses of Visual Material: A Research-Driven Process for Improving Institutional Sources of Curricular Support” by Andrea Lisa Nixon, Heather Tompkins, and Paula Lackie. When students work with visual materials in all parts of the curriculum, how do you make sure they get the technical support they need? An extensive research study of faculty and students led to a new coordinated support model. Nixon, Tompkins, and Lackie explain how they got it done.

“The History Engine: Doing History with Digital Tools” by Robert K. Nelson, Scott Nesbit, and Andrew Torget. The History Engine offers a rich digital repository of episodes from American history and even more important, a chance for undergraduates to “do history” long before the senior seminar or capstone course.

“The Collaborative Liberal Arts Moodle Project: A Case Study” by Ken Newquist. The Collaborative Liberal Arts Moodle Project, or CLAMP as it’s better known, proves the power of collaboration across campuses. By creating a network of Moodle users from multiple campuses across the country, CLAMP has developed a highly effective system for adapting the open-source software Moodle for the specific needs of liberal arts colleges.

At NITLE, we’re pleased to partner with Academic Commons to bring you these case studies and to enable their authors to share the knowledge they’ve developed along with their projects. We thank the featured authors and their partners for their work and Academic Commons for collaborating with us. If you would like to nominate a project for the next round of awards, please contact me at mnanfito@nitle.org by November 16, 2009.