Yemen’s Higher Education Crisis: An IIE-SRF Dialogues Webinar

A discussion hosted by IIE-SRF and the Association for Yemeni Academics & Professionals

Yemen faces the world’s most urgent humanitarian crisis and higher education emergency. The country’s university system has been decimated by six years of armed conflict, making education and scientific research practically unattainable. Scores of university buildings have been destroyed or seriously damaged, and many scientific centers have ceased operations. Throughout the country, violations of academic freedom and personal rights are commonplace. Yemeni professors risk dismissal, imprisonment, or violence for speaking out against corrupt practices on university campuses, and many face persecution simply based on their identities or family names. The employees of public universities in many regions have not received their salaries for several years. In 2020, nearly half of all requests for support to IIE’s Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) came from Yemeni scholars.

“Yemen’s Higher Education Crisis” – the second webinar of the IIE-SRF Dialoguesseries – will focus on Yemen’s higher education emergency and its impact on university professionals. Scholars from Yemen who have directly experienced the crisis will share their stories and offer insights on the unique challenges facing Yemeni women academics. The webinar will be co-hosted by IIE-SRF and the Association for Yemeni Academics & Professionals (AYAP), a newly formed non-profit that brings together Yemeni academics and professionals from around the world to create and support opportunities for Yemen’s development, growth, and sustainability. The discussion will take place on Thursday, March 25 from 10-11 am Eastern Time (UTC-04:00). It will feature:

James Robin King: IIE-SRF’s Director

Dr. Shaker Lashuel: AYAP Board Member

A Recording Of This Program Can Be Found Here