A delegation from Durham University flew to Kuwait in February to build what it termed ‘academic
partnerships’. They succeeded. On Monday afternoon, Durham University announced the formation of the ‘Al-Sabah Programme in International Relations, Regional Politics and
Security.’ In an internal document sent to academic staff, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Higgins, revealed that that this seat had been ‘funded personally by Sheikh Nasser
Al-Sabah of Kuwait’, the Kuwati Prime Minister, and that the ‘£2.5million endowment will support the Al-Sabah Chair, associated research and two PhD studentships in
perpetuity’.
Al-Sabah has made what is politely termed a singular contribution to democratic traditions. He was appointed in 2006 by his uncle, the Emir. He was embroiled in a embezzlement scandal in 2008. Opposition leader Khaled al-Fadalah was imprisoned last July for ‘defaming’ the Prime Minister; and Mohammad Abdulqader al-Jassem, a prominent journalist, was imprisoned
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