Several Portuguese state universities, in which there are protocols signed with the United States, received a letter from the US Embassy Questionnaire, which includes 36 questions As for the gender ideology, calls to communist parties, the evil influences of China, possible ties with terrorist groups and financing received from various countries, such as Russia, Cuba or Iran.
Earlier this week, universities received unexpected communication from the US Embassy, announcing a reduction in financing if they did not answer this questionnaire. ANDSome institutions have already lost this support.
This is the case of the Technical Institute of the Lisbon Institute (IST), which saw financing a program that has retained the program for canceling the program US Culture SpaceField
Concerned about the continuation of the program “American corner”Which has been working at several Portuguese universities for more than ten years. In addition to IST, universities Azores, Aveiro, Porto (Faculty of Letters), Lisbon (Faculty of Letters) and Nova de Lisboa (Faculty of Sciences and Technologies) have these places.
Target Promote the communication of science and approach American and Portuguese cultures closerThe field of the United States Embassy in Lisbon describes them as “information and cultural centers”.
For example, at the Department of Letters of the University of Port, this program gives Annual products For academic events and events, as well as for the purchase of state technological equipment.
The program also financed two television and radio studios, prepared for the production of content and conference -a post for lectures and seminars.
In IST, the American Corner worked for more than ten years, promoting lectures, meetings and activities of “scientific distribution and distribution.” Annual financing surrounded 20 thousand eurosField
Rectors abandon the “unbearable invasion” to the autonomy of institutions
Speaking with the Lusa agency, the president of Ist Rogério Colaço confirmed the reception to cancel communication with an “immediate effect” from the American Corner program, as well as an investigation with “Very unsuccessful questions” Regarding whether IST has been cooperating or not quoted or not on charges or investigations with the participation of terrorist associations, cartels, people and drug trafficking, organizations or groups that contribute to mass immigration.
“The coach replied that he would not answer the questionnaire, because he did not correspond to the public higher educational institution subjected to public and legal study of the democratic member of the country of the European Union,” said Rogerio Kolaso.
IST President also indicated that communication refers to Definition leaving the State Department American
Hermengildo Fernandez, director of the University of Lisbono University, also confirmed Lusa, receiving the same questionnaire that left him with stunned “Measurement of power” of questionsField
According to the director of Flul, he contained questions about “climate schedules” if the institution “Contacts with communist and socialist parties” or “Organization with united nations, the People’s Republic, Iran and Russia” and “What he did to preserve women from gender ideologies.”
The college also decided not to answer the questionnaire, emphasizing that “its dependence on the scientific policy of Portugal and the European Union.”
Hermenegildo Fernandez was useless, however, whether the “American corner” was canceled or not in college, whose Space shares of installation near the Confucius Institute, official organization of China This contributes to the culture and language of the country.
The direction of the faculty of science and technology of the new University of Lisbon only indicated that there is an “American corner”oneAn annual project that will end in September“.
“We evaluate the hypothesis of the application for the continuation of the project or not,” the college added in a brief statement for the lush.
The rector of the University of Aiveiro, who is also the President of the Council of the rectors, also lamented the embassy of the Embassy of the United States, determining the continuity of financing the answer to “unbearable” questions.
“The Council of the rectors discussed this issue and Questions on their nature set up an unbearable invasion of the autonomy of institutions And in his freedom of investigation and academic actions, ”he examined in the statements of Lusa.
Paulo Jorge Ferreira admitted that the law of financiers decides whether they want to continue this support, but said that it was incorrect to establish institutions in order to answer questions “which are offensive to their independence and their academic freedom.”
The embassy does not respond directly to the cancellation of financing
“We have excellent relations with all six“ American corners ”, and we will continue to cooperate in a series of programs and initiatives that promote our common goals,” the representative of the US Embassy in Lisbon, Marie Blanchar, reacted to the question of the reduction of the program, declared the program and how it will be affected, and in what forms.
According to the embassy, More than 600 of these places They are located in universities, shopping centers, libraries and other public places, as well as in the embassy facilities, in more than 140 countries.