HOW PRO-GAZA PROTESTS ARE RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VALUES IN UNIVERSITIES RANKING?

Abstract

Pro-Gaza protests at universities are raising significant questions about the Academic Institutions' values and ranking criteria worldwide. The nature and concentration of these protests, particularly at elite universities, show the importance of elite students in creating a human wakeup. Further empathy calls for human rights protection and development. Therefore, this raises the need for another measure for universities ranking in relevance to student freedom of speech and academic freedom. The universities’ negative reaction to pro-Gaza protests has underscored significant questions about these institutional values, student activism's role, and student bodies' socioeconomic composition. The authors of this paper believe that these events are prompting the need for a re-evaluation of how universities' rankings are perceived, particularly concerning their commitments to free speech, diversity, and social justice. By incorporating measures of academic freedom, student engagement, and support for political causes such as FreePalestine, the paper advocates for a more holistic assessment of universities and calls for an approach that ensures institutions are evaluated not only for academic excellence but also for their commitment to social justice, ethical standards, and fostering meaningful societal engagement. The paper proposes new criteria for giving students a chance to protect the students and the academic staff who call for freedom protests in issues similar to FreePalestine and stop the genocide in Gaza. This research should open the door for further research in this line that would calibrate universities' ranking based on their stand on human development and freedom.