The Qatar Foundation, a state-led nonprofit organization that funds a Doha-based campus of Northwestern University, is disputing Republican claims that the relationship is used to buy influence.
Republicans slammed Northwestern President Michael Schill in a House hearing on campus antisemitism last week, where Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) pointed to reports the school had received more than $600 million from Qatar since 2007. Republicans have connected such funding, and Qatar being identified as a financial backer of terrorist organizations such as Hamas, to the pro-Palestinian protests seen on campuses over the last several weeks.
“Qatar Foundation (QF) is not in the business of buying, or attempting to buy, influence in U.S. higher education institutions,” QF President of Higher Education Francisco Marmolejo said in a statement, according to the Daily Northwestern. “Only a fraction of this investment has been directed toward the U.S., and the allegation that this money has somehow swayed the decision making of reputable institutions of the likes of NU has no basis in fact or logic.”
Northwestern has operated a campus in Doha since 2008, along with other U.S. universities such as Texas A&M University, which decided in February, prior to the encampments, that it would be shutting down its campus in 2028 after a 21-year partnership.
The TAMU Board of Regents voted to end the relationship citing regional instability, and some believe the decision was made in light of reports Qatar financially supports Hamas and other terrorist organizations.
Owens asked Schill during last week’s congressional hearing if he believed it to be a “good idea for Northwestern to partner with a government that harbors terrorists” and “harbors leaders of Hamas and is estimated to have given the terrorist organization of Hamas about $1.8 billion,” but Schill responded by refusing to answer yes-or-no questions. Owens displayed a large check with a $600 million figure on it, and Schill did not dispute the number.
However, Schill said that all the money received from the country goes toward operating the Doha campus. Marmolejo’s statement said that Qatar Foundation pays Northwestern $70 million annually, and that 90% of the money goes to faculty and staff salaries, operations, student costs, and buildings in-country, while the other 10% covers administrative costs at Northwestern’s main campus.
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“QF has invested heavily in education because it is the way we have chosen to support the building of a diverse, knowledge-based economy in Qatar,” Marmolejo said. “We have invested in making Qatar a home for life-long learners, and a legacy that will benefit knowledge seekers for generations to come.”
According to Schill’s testimony, the decision to continue a contract with the Qatar campus is that of the Northwestern board of trustees.
