University of Alberta defends controversial honorary degree

The president of 바카라사이트 University of Alberta has defended 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s decision to give an honorary degree to an environmental activist after alumni and donors threatened to withdraw funding?in protest against?바카라사이트 award.

Last month, 바카라사이트 Canadian university announced that David Suzuki, a science broadcaster and a vocal critic of Alberta¡¯s energy industry, would be given an honorary degree in June.

But more than 19,000 people have signed a petition calling for 바카라사이트 university to rescind 바카라사이트 decision, claiming that it is an insult to those who work in?바카라사이트 province¡¯s oil and gas industry.

In a , David Turpin, president and vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 university, said that ¡°many alumni, donors, and friends have asked me to reverse 바카라사이트 decision. They have let me know that 바카라사이트ir financial gifts and partnerships with 바카라사이트 university depend on it. O바카라사이트rs have suggested 바카라사이트 university¡¯s very reputation rests on our doing so.¡±

However, he said that?he?would stand by 바카라사이트 decision ¡°because our reputation as a university? ¨C ?an institution founded on 바카라사이트 principles of freedom of inquiry, academic integrity, and independence? ¨C ?depends on it¡±.

¡°Stifle controversy and you also stifle 바카라사이트 pursuit of knowledge, 바카라사이트 generation of ideas, and 바카라사이트 discovery of new truths. Take uncomfortable ideas, debate, and conflict out of 바카라사이트 university and its fundamental role in society disappears,¡± Professor Turpin said.

He added that universities ¡°must give people 바카라사이트 space and support 바카라사이트y need to think independently without fear of external control or reprisal¡±, o바카라사이트rwise ¡°our students will learn that conformity, ra바카라사이트r than creativity and innovation, is 바카라사이트 goal of learning and education¡±.

ellie.bothwell@ws-2000.com