On Thursday, December 6 at 5:15pm in Room 1-190, we will be hosting, along with the MIT Faculty Newsletter, a panel discussion on MIT’s relationship with the Saudi Arabian government and monarchy. The horrific murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has spurred MIT to reassess its engagement with Saudi Arabia. This is good news and a good start. However, much needs to be done if MIT is to seriously consider the ethical demands on any relationship the Institute nurtures—whether individual, corporate or with a nation-state. 

Balakrishnan Rajagopal, an Associate Professor of Law and Development in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning and a Radius Steering Committee member, asks this question in an editorial in the current edition of the MIT Faculty Newsletter.  He asks, “On what basis should it engage with all atrociously bad regimes and organizations, not just Saudi Arabia?” Continuing, “As an institution, universities have a responsibility to ask if their engagements may end up bolstering those who violate universally held norms.”

Again, from Professor Rajagopal’s editorial: “There is a serious reputational risk to universities when they engage with human rights violators. Instead of welcoming every chance to accept the massive influx of money from oil-rich kingdoms, companies, and authoritarian states, universities should have their guard up and ask if there is a reputational risk in these engagements. The reputations of universities such as MIT are among its most precious assets, built over time, but can suffer significant harm if more care is not taken in how and whether to engage transnationally in specific cases”.

Here is the final sentence of MIT’s Mission Statement, “We seek to develop in each member of the MIT community the ability and passion to work wisely, creatively, and effectively for the betterment of humankind.” This is a noble sentiment but one that cannot be fully realized unless our actions are subjected to constant moral scrutiny and we then act with the highest of principles. If we are to “better” mankind, we must adhere to ethical standards in all we do.

Our program on Thursday is one way for us, as a community, to explore not only this particular crisis, but to begin to lay the groundwork for continued conversation, debate and reflection on this complex and difficult issue.

Note: Please read this MIT Faculty Newsletter editorial on MIT's relationship with Saudi Arabia.