Universities Plead: ‘We Can’t Leave Education to Political Leaders’

As global stress increases and political agendas play a more significant role in international education, university leaders have firmly called for unity, neutrality, and respect for academic values. During a session at the reinventing higher education conference 2025 in london, key voices from the sector united to warn that education should not become politicized instead, it must always focus on the long-term.

Education Beyond Politics

"Politics is for short cycles; education is for the long-term," said baroness ssha prashar cbe , an independent member of the uk house of lords. Prashar warned university leaders that their institutions should not be “buffeted by the political pressures,” and she called on them to work towards finding innovative solutions to protect academic freedom and equality initiatives.

She cited examples from the US where universities have renamed programs to protect them from being eliminated under anti-dei policies.

Higher Education Is Roiled by Strained Relations With Local Politicians

This “politics and eduunited”united,” represents how our very own nation is a leading model of the escalating intertwining of politics and education. Earlier this month, the administration unveiled a new “compact for higher ed—aion” — a policy that directly ties federal funding to politically loaded institutional promises. Critics said the move would chill academic freedom and limit university autonomy.

“We can’t trust the future of education to politicians,” said faith abiodun, executive director of united world colleges  International. “isolated organizations will get hit more.”

In response to this shift, europe has stepped up its initiatives to attract international talent, with notable efforts like the European Commission’s “choose europe for science” campaign. However, IE University president santiago iniguez  de onzono emphasized that this should not be viewed as a zero-sum competition, but rather as an opportunity for global collaboration in education and research.

 

“Individual european universities might gain from these barriers, but overall, they damage global cooperation. What is happening in the US is not good for any of us” he said.

Universities as Sites of Dialogue and Sanctuary

Yet a growing number of universities are nevertheless reasserting their commitment to free speech as an open marketplace of ideas. David Go, vice president and associate prothe university .  Dame spoke about how his school is still maintaining its quest to be open to a diversity of opinions.

As a research university committed to the pursuit of truth, we can offer a space that remains non-partisan and independent,” Go said. He pointed to a recent campus event where two U.S. governors — one democrat and one republican — held a respectful dialogue on how to “disagree well” showcasing a model of constructive and civil debate.

The sentiment was echoed by royal holloway university’s vice chancellor, julie sanders, that universities were places of intellectual debate and sanctuaries for those who find themselves displaced or vulnerable. She was full of praise for the UK's chevening scholarship, which has given life-changing opportunities to gazan students seeking refuge from conflict.

Linking Education and Student Guidance

As educational institutions navigate increasing political pressures, organizations like Landmark Global Learning accessible through landmarkglobal.co.in  play a crucial supporting role. They guide students through every stage of studying abroad, from visa assistance to scholarship opportunities. To learn more about their expert education consultancy services or explore options for financial aid, visit their Services page or Contact Us for personalized guidance.

Preserving Education’s Core Purpose

The message from the sector leaders was unequivocal:

Politics may shape policy priorities but education must remain a realm of unfettered inquiry and global collaboration. Universities, they added, must uphold their independence, work across borders and make sure that campuses stay places of dialogue, inclusion, and hope,rather than arenas for political ideologies to clash.