Why Israel absolutely needs an academic ethical code - by Eytan Meir

...In 2010, Israel’s Council for Higher Education came out with an official decision that all attempts the politicize academia should be rejected. Seven years have since passed, and universities have done nothing to address this issue. The time has come to return pluralism, diversity, and basic sanity to Israeli academia.

Eytan Meir..
blogs.timesofisrael.com..
15 June '17..
Link: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/why-israel-needs-an-academic-ethical-code/

The new proposed academic code of ethics, written by author of the IDF Code of Ethics, Prof. Asa Kasher, is a long-overdue breath of fresh air for Israeli academia.

Among other things, the code recognizes and seeks to address the widespread phenomenon in which certain professors – under the guise of academic freedom – use their position to subject students to politicized material that reflects only one side of the academic debate – their own – while at the same time prohibiting other points of view, particularly from students.

Despite what the code’s detractors claim, the code does not in any way stifle political debate or ban political discussion from the classroom.

On the contrary, it aims to create an environment where students are presented with both sides of the discussion, which allows them to critically think, engage in vibrant academic exchange, and arrive at their own conclusions. That is the purpose of academia.

Unfortunately, many professors believe that their academic position gives them the mandate to preach only one side of the debate, while bullying and berating students who do not think like them.

In more extreme, but not uncommon, instances, right-wing students are afraid to voice their opinions in class or to write pro-Israel content in their papers, out of concern that they will receive lower grades.

This is not academic freedom. This is not pluralism. This is coercion in the service of indoctrination.

Many opponents of the code mistakenly conflate academic freedom with freedom of speech. But what is lawfully guaranteed to an individual outside of the classroom does not translate to what should be permitted inside of the classroom.

All should agree that while one’s right to engage in blatantly racist dialogue is protected free speech, such behavior is unacceptable in the classroom – and rightfully so.

[Israeli University age requirement level playing field] About 5,000 Israeli Arabs studying at Jordanian universities

Dr. Aaron Lerner
IMRA
07 November 09

[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: Israeli universities apply an entrance age requirement so that those who don't serve in the army or do national service aren't rewarded with being able to attend university while others are in national service. It still doesn't level the playing field since they can spend this time studying and retaking the Israeli matriculation and "psychometric" (an equivalent of the American SAT) tests to improve their scores [entrance to almost all programs at Israeli universities are based purely on these scores] while those serving the country find themselves taking or re-taking these critical tests after not having been in a classroom for years. This while the testing schedule for the matriculation exams [which in some cases is only once a year with the results available too late for application for the academic year] can mean losing another year after completion of national service .]

Increasing numbers of Israeli Arabs studying at Jordanian universities
By Ofri Ilani Haaretz Last update - 04:40 01/11/2009
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1124913.html

Increasing numbers of Israeli Arab high school graduates are leaving the country to study at Jordanian universities, according to a recent survey. A decade ago fewer than 100 Arab Israelis were studying at Jordanian institutions of higher learning, but last year this swelled to about 5,000.

According to the study, sponsored by Dirsat: The Arab Center for Law and Policy, a major reason for the phenomenon is age requirements in many departments at Israeli universities, as well as the language barrier.

When Maria Shalash of the largely Arab city of Nazareth graduated from high school two years ago, she wanted to study occupational therapy and communication disorders. "The field interested me, and people also told me that there were jobs [in the field]," she said.

Shalash tried to gain a place at the University of Haifa and was invited for an interview. But the university later discovered she was under 20, which disqualified her. She is now studying law, where there is no minimum-age requirement.
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