Photographer Shahidul Alam returned the honorary doctorate the University of the Arts London conferred on him on July 8, 2022 in recognition of his significant contributions to photography and activism.
Shahidul in a press release on Sunday said that despite the appointment of James Purnell, an avowed Zionist, as vice chancellor of the University since then, he was heartened by the fact that UAL students were at the forefront among other students of Britain in demonstrating their solidarity with Palestine, and urging their university administration to show public support for a ceasefire in Gaza.
However, he was appalled to find how far the UAL administration and specifically its vice chancellor appear to be removed from that position, according to the release issued by DRIK.鈥��
Students had repeatedly pointed out how they had been 鈥榮tifled, stereotyped, and ignored,鈥� the release said.
The students claimed that UAL, 鈥榯hrough its partnerships with PUMA, Kornit, LVMH, L鈥橭r茅al, and many other Israeli or Israel-affiliated companies and institutions, including Israel Oceanographic And Limnological Research, Shenkar Engineering and Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design鈥� 鈥榠s a willing accomplice in Israel鈥檚 regime of occupation, apartheid, and ongoing genocide.鈥欌��
In light of this, Alam stated that he could no longer continue to remain associated with it and officially informed Stephen Cross, dean of media, LCC, that he was returning the doctorate.
He mentioned that he accepted the degree from UAL chancellor Grayson Perry at that time because of the university鈥檚 commitment to academic freedom and freedom of expression.
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