Ljubljana – The University of Ljubljana has decided not to engage in project consortia that include Israeli universities and institutions until further notice, as determined by the university’s senate in the Slovenian capital. They have urged the EU to halt the involvement of Israeli universities and institutions in European research and development initiatives. The Chemical and Pedagogical Institutes have also supported this appeal.
The University of Ljubljana and its affiliates will refrain from entering into project consortia that involve Israeli universities or other Israeli entities until this decision is reversed, the senators stated. In this regard, the senate has once again called on the government to create a scholarship fund for Palestinian students wishing to study at the University of Ljubljana.
Rector of the University of Ljubljana Gregor Majdič mentioned that only a few projects are currently in progress, none of which directly involve Israel. He pointed out a project from the medical faculty that collaborates with various European institutions and focuses on shared information about infectious diseases.
Rector of the University of Primorska Klavdija Kutnar indicated that their southwestern university currently has one ongoing project with an Israeli university, which is set to conclude in December, and they will not apply for new projects with Israeli partners thereafter.
Rector of the University of Maribor Zdravko Kačič confirmed that the northeastern Slovenian university has no direct collaboration with Israel. Recently, several dozen members of the university’s academic community urged Kačič to end cooperation with Israeli institutions and to provide study opportunities for Palestinian students, following the lead of their counterparts in Ljubljana.
Both the Chemical Institute and the Pedagogical Institute have also pledged not to collaborate with Israeli institutions. These institutes have called on the EU to end cooperation with Israeli universities and entities in European research, development, and innovation programs. (August 18 – 21)
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