Top Dutch university cancels plan for China campus ‘over academic freedom concerns’
Groningen University’s executive board cancelled the plans for the Yantai campus on Monday. The top university official as to have been appointed from the Chinese government
A top Dutch university has shelved plans to open a satellite campus in China after resistance from council members, reportedly due to concerns over restrictions on academic freedom.
Groningen University’s executive board on Monday “decided to cancel plans” to open a branch in Yantai in eastern Shandong province, after failing to win majority approval from the university’s council, a spokesman said.
“The board regrets this, but there is insufficient support within the council for this proposal,” Gernant Deekens said after both the university’s largest personnel and student representative groups said they would blackball the plan.
Deekens rebuffed Dutch media reports citing concerns over possible meddling by Beijing after it became known in November that the campus’s most senior official would be appointed from the ranks of China’s Communist Party.
“Academic freedom is a fundamental principle to us and we have secured concrete agreements with our Chinese partners and the Chinese government in which it is guaranteed,” he said.
However, others said it had been an issue.