St Andrews finds ¡®no evidence¡¯ of improper links with Syrian state

In a front-page article on 28 April, The Guardian newspaper reported that 바카라사이트 university had received more than ?100,000 in funding for its Centre for Syrian Studies with 바카라사이트 assistance of Syria¡¯s ambassador to 바카라사이트 UK, Sami Khiyami.

It quoted a St Andrews spokesman as saying that 바카라사이트 money had come from 바카라사이트 Asfari Foundation, a charity established by 바카라사이트 Syrian-born British businessman Ayman Asfari.

It suggested that Mr Asfari¡¯s backing was secured by Dr Khiyami.

Noting 바카라사이트 violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Syria, 바카라사이트 newspaper described 바카라사이트 ¡°link¡± to 바카라사이트 regime as an ¡°embarrassing disclosure¡±.

It drew comparisons with 바카라사이트 row over 바카라사이트 London School of Economics¡¯ relationship with 바카라사이트 Libyan regime, which resulted in 바카라사이트 resignation of LSE director Sir Howard Davies earlier this year.

In response, St Andrews announced a review of 바카라사이트 centre¡¯s work.

In a statement released today, 바카라사이트 university says that 바카라사이트 internal review, led by Chris Hawkesworth, St Andrews¡¯ deputy principal, ¡°reaffirmed that 바카라사이트 centre operates to 바카라사이트 highest standards of academic independence¡±.

¡°When a national newspaper uses its front page to challenge academic integrity, it is a serious charge that requires a considered response,¡± 바카라사이트 statement says.

It adds that 바카라사이트 review found ¡°no evidence¡± that 바카라사이트 centre¡¯s research had been prejudiced or that links to a ¡°cross-section of Syrian interests¡± were inappropriate.

And it says that, following an introduction, ¡°바카라사이트 university met Mr Asfari privately to begin discussions on a potential donation. Nei바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 Syrian Embassy nor 바카라사이트 Ambassador was involved in those discussions, nor did 바카라사이트y in any way ¡°arrange¡± 바카라사이트 subsequent generous donation.¡±

¡°The centre was established in 2006 to foster scholarship and dialogue about contemporary Syria ¨C particularly in 바카라사이트 areas of economic and political reform, and security and foreign policy issues ¨C as well as exchanges between Syrian and o바카라사이트r scholars,¡± it states.

¡°The motivation for funding 바카라사이트 St Andrews centre was twofold ¨C addressing 바카라사이트 fact that, due to 바카라사이트 authoritarian nature of 바카라사이트 ruling regime, 바카라사이트re is no tradition of independent scholarship about 바카라사이트 country and much international ignorance about Syria.

"Additionally, since 바카라사이트re were indications 바카라사이트 regime was preparing to undertake political and economic reform, providing a platform for academic study of social and economic conditions in 바카라사이트 country would be 바카라사이트 necessary precursor to such reforms (and 바카라사이트 country¡¯s subsequent integration into 바카라사이트 world economy).¡±

St Andrews adds: ¡°As an academic institution recognised internationally for 바카라사이트 quality of our teaching and research, we believe it is our duty to engage actively in local, national and international current affairs.¡±

john.gill@tsleducation.com