Coleraine Equality Counsellor criticises Ulster University’s plans for a campus in Qatar.

An Equality Counsellor at Ulster University’s Coleraine campus has spoken out about the university’s 'concerning' plans to open a campus in Qatar.

Ulster University (UU) is due to open the campus in Lusail in Doha in September 2023 according to a representative from the college. Previous reports from the BBC and Belfast Telegraph suggested it would open in January.

Students Union Equality Counsellor, Craig Kirkwood, said the plans are concerning as human rights violations in Qatar are well publicised.

“Between the concerns for the rights of queer people, women, foreign workers, the presence of racism, suppression of press freedom and threats to local civil rights in general, the fact that Ulster feels its appropriate to set up a campus there is concerning.”

Craig said he is eager to hear what safeguards the university will put in place for students and staff at the Qatar campus.

“At Ulster here at home, queer people like myself are free and supported to be who we are without prejudice but in Qatar that same right doesn’t exist, if someone is open about their sexuality there, they face fines, prison, the social stigma that exists and possible execution.”

“There’s no recognition of marriages, no anti-discrimination laws, the only way to remain safe is to remain closeted which we shouldn’t have to do,” he said.

Despite the violations of human rights, Craig hopes the campus can help to create change in the country.

“There can be benefits to a campus at advancing progressive rights, UU says that queer rights are central to the university,” he said.

“I don’t know how the university plans to enforce these rights in a country where same-sex sexual activity is not only illegal but also carries the death penalty as a possible consequence.

“Ulster could possibly provide support through confidential systems and services within the university but ultimately, they are operating in a different country so I don’t see how they can provide opportunities to people when the law and society is against them,” he continued.

Another aspect of Qatari society that has been criticised is the rights of women in the country.

Craig pointed to the issues affecting women in Qatar such as the guardianship system which requires women to get the permission of a 'male guardian' for certain activities.

Highlighted by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, the guardianship system is not one clear set of rules but a complex collection of laws, policies and practices.

The male guardian is most commonly a father or husband but can be a brother, uncle, grandfather, or even the State if no male relative is available.

“If UU can offer some sort of support or benefit to female staff and students then I believe that a UU presence is beneficial,”

“But I don’t know how UU plans to protect their students and staff or what support they can possibly offer given the legal system would be against them,” Craig said.

Meanwhile Amnesty International's Northern Ireland Programme Director Patrick Corrigan said the human rights organisation expects UU to publish a full 'Human Rights Impact Assessment'.

"Ulster University is a registered charity with a public benefit purpose and is in receipt of millions in public funds. People have a right to expect that it's not profiting from or contributing to human rights violations," Patrick said.

UU launched a partnership with City University College (CUC) in Qatar in 2019.

An MBA for Women in Leadership has been advertised by the university on its twitter account for the Qatar campus.

A representative from UU said the university has no financial investment or involvement in the building of the campus.

“The campus at Lusail is an investment by City University College. It is under the early stages of construction and is scheduled to open in September 2024,” the representative said.

“Ulster University has sought and received assurances from CUC on adherence to ethical construction practices and we have been assured that there are dedicated health and safety teams in place to closely monitor the build and ensure compliance.”

They said no NI staff will deliver teaching in Qatar and students are from the surrounding area in Doha and wider Qatar.

The university is ‘mindful’ of the ‘tensions’ that exist when it crosses international boundaries both legally and culturally according to the representative.

“Ulster University’s position is that higher education, and access to it, has the potential to support positive change in societies as students build their own cultural capital,” they said.

“Ulster University’s established partnership with City University College is in relation to the provision of curricula and related support, and the conferment of academic awards upon students who successfully complete the programmes and this new CUC campus development reflects the partner’s aspiration to grow the provision,” the representative added.