Tag: university students

  • University students walk out on Jerry Seinfeld speech in protest on Palestine

    University students walk out on Jerry Seinfeld speech in protest on Palestine

    Many students of the esteemed Duke University left their graduation ceremony on Sunday, some of them shouting “Free Palestine” when guest speaker, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, started giving a speech.

    Seinfeld is a known Zionist who has shown support for Israel during the Gaza genocide and according to media reports, sent money to the violent counter-agitators who attacked pro-Palestine student protestors at UCLA. A video on social media shows students in graduation robes and hats leaving the ceremony. Some were holding Palestinian flags. The ceremony was held in the university’s football stadium in North Carolina. Reuters confirmed the date and place of the video.

    One person wore a keffiyeh, a scarf often used to show support for Palestinians. Some others cheered “Jerry! Jerry!” when Seinfeld got an honorary degree. Seinfeld gave his speech without big interruptions.

    Many of you are probably thinking, ‘I can’t believe they asked him to come.’ But it’s too late,” he said, promising to “defend” the idea of privilege. “I believe you should use your privilege. I grew up as a Jewish kid from New York. That’s a privilege if you want to be a comedian,” he added.
    “We know that people feel strongly in our community, and just like we’ve done all year, we support everyone’s right at Duke to share their opinions peacefully. But we also want graduates and their families to enjoy their special day,” said Duke spokesperson Frank Tramble in a statement.

    Seinfeld has been to Israel and openly supported it since October 7, when Israel started the genocide in Gaza. This action led to more than 35,000 deaths including 15,000 children, as reported by health officials.
    The White House mentioned on Tuesday that President Joe Biden is okay with peaceful protests during college graduation ceremonies where he and other officials will speak. The walkout at Duke University’s graduation is the latest example of protests happening on US campuses. Students are asking universities to stop investing in companies that profit from war and to give amnesty to students and staff who have faced consequences for protesting.

    At Emerson College in Boston, there were interruptions during the president’s speech at their graduation ceremony on Sunday. Some students walked across the stage holding signs supporting Palestinians. One woman even unfurled a Palestinian flag.
    Because of these protests, some universities like Columbia in New York and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, have canceled their graduation ceremonies this month. Others have changed the location or format of their ceremonies.

  • Why are students in Islamabad protesting?

    Why are students in Islamabad protesting?

    A large number of university students in Islamabad protested on Tuesday demanding their universities and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) resolve their accommodation problem.

    Thousands of students were evicted from privately-run hostels after the Capital Development Authority (CDA) sealed many buildings over ‘non-conforming use’. It means that they were operating as a commercial enterprise without authorisation, reports The Express Tribune.

    The students also registered a public interest petition in Islamabad High Court (IHC) against CDA’s policy that has left around 30,000 students on the verge of eviction.

    The petition is filed under section 4(xxiii) of the Federal Universities Act and other laws stating that the universities are bound to create sufficient student accommodation on campus and also to “approve or license” hostels and lodgings existing in the city.

    However, in Islamabad, only five out of the 35 universities over the last two decades have taken any such steps. “As a result, students are compelled to reside in privately-managed student hostels located in the CDA sectors,” it informed.

    CDA issued non-conforming notices to over 70 hostels in November.

    According to the hostel owners, many students had to spend the night on the street after at least two hostels were shut down late in the evening without proper warning.

    The petition also points out that HEC has a statutory mandate to protect the interests of students including their accommodation matters, “but has so far failed to intervene in this crisis”.

    At the preliminary hearing, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb issued directions for the HEC chairman to grant a hearing to the students and redress their grievances.

  • Govt to waive fees, give scholarships for university students in flood-affected areas

    Govt to waive fees, give scholarships for university students in flood-affected areas

    Federal Minister for Education Rana Tanveer Hussain has said on Thursday that the government has decided to provide relief to university students in flood-affected areas by waiving their fees and giving them scholarships.

    In a tweet, he said that he held a meeting with the Chair Higher Education Commission (HEC) and decided to facilitate the university students in calamity-struck zones.

    Under the relief package, the government would defer current/due university fee payments, devise a mechanism/possibility for a fee waiver and announce a special scholarship program (undergraduate and graduation) for students.

    Tanveer stated that in these pressing times the government stands firm with the people and would do whatever it takes for rehabilitation of flood victims.

    “Doing fund-raising, providing food and tents, and setting up medical camps and transitional schools is our top priority,” he added.

    In another tweet, the federal minister said that “Our Government under the able leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif is fully committed to provide maximum relief to our people suffering from flood calamity. In these pressing times, we stand firm with our people and will do whatever it takes for rehabilitation.”

    Earlier today, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif announced that he will not be taking a scheduled official trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to focus on relief and rescue operations. Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also cancelled his scheduled visit in late August to four European countries. Separately, the media wing of the armed forces, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also announced that Defense Day celebrations will be postponed to express solidarity with flood victims.

    Heavy monsoon rains in the country have triggered massive floods that have submerged a third of the country and killed at least 1,191 people. 27 more people died in the previous 24 hours on Thursday.

    Approximately 116 districts across the four provinces have been affected. Infrastructure, including bridges, roads, schools, homes and hospitals. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), 888 health facilities have been inundated with flood water.