Author Archives: Communications

Reflecting on the 7 October Anniversary

This week will be difficult for many in our community and around the world as people look back on a dreadful year of war, desperation and pain in the Middle East. The attacks in Israel, sustained devastation in Gaza and more recent escalation into both Lebanon and Yemen continue to cause shock and hurt for any connected to the region, along with the millions around the world united in a desire for peace.

Over the last 12 months, students and staff at Kent have raised their voices in support of causes that matter to them while working together to fundraise for relief efforts for victims of war. We are greatly concerned by the impact on universities and people’s access to education in the region, with work ongoing to support civilians affected by this in meaningful ways at Kent.

We also want to ensure that anyone impacted by the tragic events in the region has the support they need from us. The increase in countries drawn into the crisis in recent weeks is of great concern and many will be worried about what this means for them, their loved ones and their homes.

Our Student Support and Wellbeing team are here to support you and are running War, Conflict and World Disasters Emotional Support Drop-Ins every Monday from 12:00 – 13:00 throughout this term. These are open to anyone and are there for any who want a space to talk to others about the impact this is having on them.

More widely, your Engagement Support Teams can help if you are worried that the ongoing traumatic scenes in Gaza, Lebanon and Israel are affecting your studies. Student Support can also provide urgent support for any that need it, from Monday to Friday 9:00 – 17:00, via 01227 826573 for the Canterbury campus or 01634 888474 for Medway. Out of hours support is also available via Spectrum Life.

This is an incredibly difficult time and as a community we can be proud of the way students and staff have remained respectful of each others’ different viewpoints while, understandably, being passionate and determined in standing up for causes that matter to them. Both us and Kent Students’ Union are here to support you in maintaining this, ensuring you can be supported to raise your voice safely and in line with our wider commitment to a diverse and inclusive campus.

Wellbeing and support services

If you are worried about recent national events and the effect they are having on your wellbeing, our support services are here for you to access. Our priority at all times is ensuring your safety, security and wellbeing, so please make use of these services.

University Support Services

Our Student Support and Wellbeing service can provide support if you are worried about recent events and the effect they are having on your wellbeing. As well as the direct services they offer, they also have 24 hour emergency support available. Kent Students’ Union Advice Service can also provide free and confidential advice for students.

Students can also download the SafeZone app which can link them up directly with security support on and off campus.

Reporting incidents

If you see or experience any form of hate on campus then you can report this directly via Report and Support which will help link you with our specialist services. If you are worried about your safety on campus then Campus Security can be reached via 01227 823300 at all times.

You can also report crimes directly to Kent Police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Recent national disruption

See latest update from Wednesday 7 August.

As a university community, we have been horrified by the violence and disruption across the country over the past few days and hope for a swift return to a calm and peaceful situation. The appalling rioting seen in some areas has damaged communities and caused widespread intimidation and concern. This sort of violence has no place in society and the accompanying racism and Islamophobia seen online in particular is abhorrent. Diversity is a strength of Kent and, in particular, the university in which we work, study and undertake research.

We have a clear and undivided commitment to a diverse and inclusive culture and are proud to have a welcoming campus environment for all. We also understand the recent events will have been distressing for many and want to reassure you of the support available to everyone at the university.

Alongside this we are in regular and direct contact with Kent Police regarding anything that could affect our community. While they are aware there have been rumours circulated online relating to protest in the area, they do not think it is likely that we will see action of this kind locally. As always, our Campus Security team are present on both of our campuses 24/7 and will remain briefed and vigilant so we can continue our absolute priority of ensuring your safety.

University Support Services

Reporting incidents

You can also report crimes directly to Kent Police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Students can also read the statement from Kent Students’ Union on the national disruption here.

Update on student encampment

This update follows our previous statement of 15 May, where we committed to give an update on different areas of university activity that have been under discussion.

Like many around the world, we have watched with great alarm the lack of a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war in Gaza. The continued devastation, most recently through the bombardment of Rafah, remains very distressing with a profound emotional impact across our community here in Kent. We condemn violations of international law and any actions that target civilians and express our gravest concern for the loss of innocent lives that has affected so many. We also express our full support for the movement towards a ceasefire and the release of all hostages that is now on the table, which would lead to an immediate pause to military action and for urgent aid to reach Gaza as a priority.

There has been a devastating impact over the last year on universities in the region. International estimates suggest that 80% of universities in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged by the war, with large numbers of students and academics killed and 90,000 Palestinians denied access to education. Any loss of life is a tragedy, but the effect of war on universities not only deprives Palestinian people of their right to learn and share knowledge but also further destabilises a region in desperate need of peace and recovery. Education is a fundamental human right that should be respected and protected universally, and the global community must recognise and act upon the critical need to protect it wherever it is restricted.

Investments and Partnerships

All of our activities at the University of Kent, including investment decisions, are governed by ethical principles that make sure we contribute positively towards a sustainable and peaceful future. Our Socially Responsible Investment Policy guides how and where we invest our money, which to clarify includes not investing directly or indirectly in weapons companies. We are committed to our shared responsibility to support global peace and educational preservation in how we work, collaborate and invest.

These principles also apply to our international partnerships. Any proposed partnership at the University is scrutinised and approved by our International Partnerships Approval Panel, whose membership includes representation from Kent Union and the wider academic community. These are then approved by our Academic Strategy, Planning and Performance Board with authority from Senate. We firmly believe that a free exchange of ideas is critical to academic advancement. However, our existing policies ensure that, while we would support individual projects that pursue peaceful and humanitarian ends, we would not form formal links with any organisation that fell short of these ethical standards. Both this and our investment policy reflect long-standing commitments that apply equally across all countries and territories, and which we are determined to maintain.

Support for victims of war

We also stand in solidarity with all students and staff at the university who are affected by the war in Gaza. This includes taking tangible steps to support victims of war – through continuing our work with external organisations like CARA, who are guiding us on practical ways to provide support and in particular education support, and through our existing Sanctuary Scholarship Scheme. We are actively working towards setting up scholarships for Palestinian students at the earliest opportunity, with funding secured for one place in 2024/25 and alternative funding arrangements being actively pursued for additional places next year and the year after.

Alongside this, we recognise the emotional impact the war is having on our students, and especially those who have lost family or seen their homes destroyed. We pledge to work with them to further enhance training for staff, including in cultural awareness and understanding the emotional needs of victims of war, and to provide additional student support, including mitigation and mental health support.

Supporting the right to protest

The University of Kent respects and supports our students’ right to peaceful protest and freedom of speech within the law. This has been consistent throughout the current student encampment, which has been organised and managed in a safe and respectful way. Through dialogue and advocacy, we are determined to continue our support for both peaceful resolutions to war and for the universal right to education across the world.

Read our previous statements

We appreciate the strength of feeling generated in both staff and students across the university by recent events. At all times we strive to be an organisation where everyone feels welcome and supported and take a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism, Islamophobia or any form of discrimination or harassments on campus. If you experience any discrimination, please use our Report + Support tool so that we can quickly take action and connect you with appropriate support within the University.

15 May 2024: Student encampment on campus

8 December 2023: Israel and Gaza: Supporting our community

10 November 2023: Israel and Gaza reflections

28 October 2023: Israel and Gaza

9 October 2023: Conflict in Israel and Gaza: Support for students