University Professors Demand Institutional Break with Morocco
In a recent meeting attended by faculty members from the University of Granada stationed in Ceuta, there has been a unanimous call for the institution to sever its ties with Morocco. This request comes in the wake of the controversial events surrounding Ceuta, which the professors assert mirrors the actions taken against Israel following its incursion into Gaza after the Hamas attacks in October 2022. The professors firmly believe that such a stance is not only justified but necessary given the current geopolitical context.
Additionally, the document put forth by the professors demands the revocation of the honorary doctorate awarded to King Mohammed VI of Morocco. This honor was conferred in the year 2000, placing the Moroccan monarch alongside notable figures such as Portuguese Nobel Laureate José Saramago and Federico Mayor Zaragoza, a former UNESCO director-general and Spanish minister. The professors' request for this revocation has garnered substantial support not only from their peers in the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla but also from other faculty members across the board.
During the meeting, concerns were raised regarding the current Rector, Pedro Mercado, and the Vice-Rector for Ceuta and Melilla, Salvador Del Barrio, both of whom chose to remain silent on the matter. Attendees expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of acknowledgment from the university regarding the unique challenges facing Ceuta and Melilla. They highlighted the need for the University of Granada to take a more active role in engaging with these cities, rather than merely organizing events from afar. They emphasized that true solidarity involves direct interaction with the communities, urging university officials to visit Ceuta, engage with local residents, and genuinely understand the realities of life in the city.
Professors articulated a desire for the University of Granada to publicly affirm that both Ceuta and Melilla are integral parts of Spain, advocating for a more visible presence and support from the university on social media and beyond. They believe that without such recognition and engagement, the solidarity expressed from a distance may lead to hollow declarations rather than meaningful action.
As reported by elpueblodeceuta.es.
