Exchange program non-renewal: University of Sydney statement

After careful consideration, we recently informed Bezalel Academy that we do not intend to renew our exchange program agreement with them. In total, just 10 University of Sydney students have undertaken an exchange at Bezalel and none since Semester 1 2015, and this was a key factor in our decision. 

As the Bezalel Academy agreement is due to expire in September, and the terms of the current agreement require discussions about potential renewal to start six months beforehand, we recently commenced that process.  

When considering whether to commence or continue exchange partnerships with international institutions we take a range of factors into consideration including the potential benefits for our students and staff, that our participation will be reciprocated equitably, and the outcome of due diligence checks.   

Recent advocacy against this student exchange had nothing to do with the University’s decision not to renew the arrangement and any suggestion that it did is completely false.

We continue to believe in the importance of international exchanges and partnerships for fostering learning and understanding, including student exchanges – and our student mobility schemes to Israel provide opportunities for our students to gain valuable insights and international perspectives into the complexities of the Middle East.  

Our ties with Israeli and other institutions remain in place because we are committed to academic freedom, freedom of speech, and human rights as the University's central pillars.   

DFAT travel advice will continue to determine any University-related travel to the region.