Qatari involvement in higher education in the United States

In the 21st century, Qatar and other authoritarian countries have increased financial involvement in a wide scope of institutions of higher education in the United States, through the granting of significant financial donations amounting to billions of dollars. According to studies, this grants Qatar direct power and influence over educational institutions in the United States, and indirectly affects various aspects of society and local politics as well.

In recent years, following the publication of reports on the subject of antisemitism in the United States, critics have argued that this financial involvement has strengthened antisemitism in higher education institutions in the US. The discourse regarding funding, including illegal donations, from authoritarian governments also includes claims that they compromise academic ethics and contribute to the erosion of democratic and liberal norms in respect to freedom of expression and academic freedom on campuses in the United States.

Influence

In 2022, a report by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) identified Qatar as the most significant foreign donor to American universities. The research revealed that from 2001 to 2021, US$13 billion was illegally funded to US higher education with Qatar contributing donations totaling $4.7 billion to universities in the United States.

The report highlighted a potential connection between universities which receive financial support from Middle Eastern sources and the positions they take on certain issues which align with the preferences or sensitivities of countries from which they receive donations. The researches suggested that universities, seeking to attract and strengthen funding from the Middle East, might adopt positions that would be favorable to these governments. Conversely, the report raised the possibility that universities, indifferent to the nature of their major donors, may also demonstrate indifference to the growing issues of antisemitism on campus, the lack of freedom of expression, and academic freedom.

The NCRI report examined Qatar's public relations strategy regarding university funding. According to data from the Department of Education, the funds provided by Qatar extend beyond a mere "donation" as they are given under an informal contract, indicating a commitment on the part of the universities. The report found that, in addition to Qatar's involvement in universities, it invested millions of dollars in public relations campaigns and engaged in lobbying and public relations firms in the United States.

An analysis by the Financial Times, based on a report on foreign donations and contracts from the U.S. Department of Education, highlighted the significant role of Qatar, which contributed approximately 15% of foreign donations between 2011 and 2020. According to the report, Qatar's financial involvement surpassed that of other countries, contributing an average of $1.3 billion out of the $2.2 billion provided by Arab states of the Persian Gulf to selected universities in the United States. As reported by the Daily Caller News, the substantial donation raised concerns regarding its potential impact on the academic independence of these institutions.

According to a study published by the National Association of Scholars (NAS), Qatari donations are given systematically, and the universities receiving these donations are selected methodically. Often, these universities have branches in Qatar itself. Northwestern University's (NU-Q) Education Department reported receiving over $600 million from Qatar after establishing its branch in the country in 2007. Northwestern is one of six American universities that established branches in Qatar, with each university specializing in a different field. Northwestern University is presented in the report as an example of how funding operates for the American university branches in Qatar, illustrating the funding mechanism from foreign sources for American universities. Several reports have tracked the development of relations between Northwestern University and Qatar, identifying funding from the Qatari government that began with donations to the university, continued with support and funding for American scholarships, and extended to funding research programs and hospital projects. In addition to Northwestern, the universities that established branches in Qatar include Cornell University focusing on medical education, Georgetown University specializing in government and politics, and Northwestern University primarily engaged in communication studies. Beyond financial support, according to Qatar's Research, Development, and Innovation Council (QRDI) policy, the branches of universities located in Qatar allow the university access to Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) grants, operated by the government.

According to an article published in 2014, unrecorded funds from sources such as the tobacco industry, oil and gas, and pharmaceutical companies were identified as contributors to universities in the United States. The report specifically highlighted Qatari funds, which according to the report have been used in order to shape political and societal narratives in the Western world. An article published by the Oxford University Press noted that the development of relationships with universities in the United States was presented as a form of "soft power."

Impact

Impact on democratic and liberal norms in the United States

The impact of Qatari involvement has led to allegations that the funding has led to the compromising of academic independence of recipient institutions. Researchers and media outlets have asserted that several prestigious academic institutions in the United States were opaque about their funding from Qatar, raising concerns about the potential influence of a nation defined as "ultra-conservative" on esteemed academic institutions. Qatar's influence extends to international organizations, publishing companies, including Audience Partners Worldwide, and the public relations and lobbying company BlueFront Strategies. Researchers speculated regarding the depth and breadth of Qatar's influence on various aspects of academic and research institutions.

Sources within universities argue that the collaboration between Qatar and the university creates direct involvement and censorship by Qatar, allowing the dissemination of opinions deviating from American ideals. It is argued Qatar exerts significant bureaucratic oversight over university activities through various entities, including international organizations and influencers such as the Doha Film Institute, the Qatar National Research Fund, and the Al Jazeera Media Network.

The NCRI investigation found that educational institutions receiving illicit funding suffer 85% more than other universities from organized efforts or campaigns aimed at imposing sanctions on academic researchers. These campaigns include various means, such as scrutinizing the activities of researchers, attempting to undermine their work, proposing their removal from their positions, or even suspension or termination of their employment.

The Lawfare Project also examined Qatar's involvement in the American education system through the Qatar Foundation International (QFI) and expressed concerns regarding the biased presentation of content related to the Middle East. This biased approach highlights positive aspects of Islam while sidelining balanced discussions about other religions, particularly Judaism. Another survey by the project indicates that when the United States is exposed to details of foreign funding for higher education institutions, concerns are raised about Qatar's influence in shaping classroom content and discussions on campuses.

Approximately 200 colleges and universities in the United States concealed information regarding about $13 billion in unreported donations from foreign countries, much of which originating from Qatar. The study also concluded that educational institutions receiving undisclosed funding are 85% more likely to face organized campaigns seeking to impose sanctions on academic researchers. These campaigns involved investigations into researchers' activities, attempts to undermine their work, proposals to remove them from their positions, and even suspension or termination of their employment.

Antisemitism in the United States

Reports on antisemitism in the United States indicated that between 2015 and 2020, institutions receiving funding from Middle Eastern donors experienced, on average, a 300% higher incidence of antisemitic incidents compared to those that did not. During the same period, institutions receiving undisclosed funds from Qatari donors had, on average, 250% more anti-Semitic incidents than those that did not.

A national survey conducted with 1748 students found that unreported money correlates with an increased perception of heightened anti-Semitism on campus. Another study identified a positive connection between anti-Semitic incidents on campus and anti-Semitic incidents in the country, based on a higher usage of the hashtag #Israeliapartheid on Twitter and anti-Semitic events in educational institutions that received unreported funding compared to those that did not.

A 2020 study by the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) revealed a connection between the volume of donations from Qatar and other Gulf states to the appearance of pro-Palestinian groups affiliated with Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) on university campuses. In some universities, SJP groups organized assemblies and events expressing anger against Israel as early as October 8, before the onset of Israel's ground incursion into Gaza. This was argued as an indication of pre-planning and preparation by critics. Additionally, after the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, an ISGAP study suggested that the protests were pre-planned following Qatar's involvement in recent years, waiting for the right moment to erupt.

Responses

US Government

Following the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) report regarding 200 American colleges and universities receiving $13 billion in previously undisclosed contributions from foreign regimes, and its potential fueling of antisemitism on campuses. In 2023, The Committee on Education and Workforce approved the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act, which according to the committee aimed to address foreign influence by lowering the threshold for reporting foreign gifts and closing reporting loopholes. The committee said the Act is intended to hold institutions accountable and imposes repercussions for non-compliance, such as fines and potential loss of federal funding.

Cultural Response

The Israel satirical show, Eretz Nehederet, in December 2023 did a Harry Potter themed sketch criticizing US university presidents response over the question of genocide of Jews being harassment or bullying. In the sketch, the Hogwarts heads of houses are in a hearing chaired by Dumbledore, there they say the genocide is context dependent and when asked by Dumbledore they explain they were influenced by Qatari money.

See also

• Higher education in the United States
• Qatar corruption scandal at the European Parliament
• Qatari soft power