Resumo

CHETTY, Nithaya. Should our universities respond to geopolitical conflicts around the world?. S. Afr. j. sci. [online]. 2025, vol.121, n.3-4, pp.1-3. ISSN 1996-7489.  https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2025/19349.

SIGNIFICANCE: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has given rise to strong campus protests globally, forcing many universities to meander around this difficult political terrain. While some argue this as a human rights issue, more careful consideration reveals a long-standing, controversial political dispute with extremism on both sides. Universities are advised not to take sides in such divisive conflicts that can lead to unintended consequences, particularly when strong opposing views exist on campus. This Commentary urges universities to proceed cautiously, resisting pressure to make official statements on the matter, to preserve academic integrity in the face of polarising global events, and to create an environment where differing viewpoints can be heard.

Palavras-chave : university; good governance principles; geopolitical conflicts; academic freedom; freedom of expression.

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