In Solidarity: Min. of Silence Observed for Slain Kenyan Students - MRU
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23 April, 2015
In Solidarity: Min. of Silence Observed for Slain Kenyan Students

April 27th, 2015, Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) students and staff gathered to mark a minute of silence to remember the slain Garissa University College students in Kenya. There were 147 students killed and about 80 people wounded during the terrorist attack. The European Univ Association (EUA) organized this event asking universities to take part. During the event at MRU student Daniel "Oke" Williams from Nigeria read a short text in English. MRU Master's Degree student Ugnė Lasevičiūtė read the text in Lithuanian. MRU String Quartet violinist Tomas Petrikis performed a piece by Bach during the event. In calling for this observance, the EUA states that any act of violence or attack on education runs counter to university values of freedom of thought and expression, tolerance and autonomy. Attacks on universities, students and scholars weaken, destroy academic freedom and have a devastating impact on research, teaching and access to education. Safeguarding the freedom and safety of universities and university communities is vital in ensuring the advancement of knowledge. Pursuit of knowledge has no boundaries and universities transcend geographical and political frontiers. The EUA has urged the international community to take action to protect universities from attacks and prevent them from happening in the future.