Criticism Over Militarization of Research at Polytechnic University of Valencia

• The Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) is facing backlash for aligning its academic mission with the defense and military industry.
• Recent institutional events, including inaugural lectures by high-ranking military officials and the recognition of the university rector by the Ministry of Defense, underscore this shift.

Concerns Regarding Military Alignment

• Prioritization of Defense: Critics argue the university is favoring industrial and military stakeholders over social movements and unions, ignoring broader societal issues.
• The 'Public Good' Fallacy: The university labels the arms industry as a 'public good,' a claim critics dismiss as a semantic trap since most contracts are state-funded rather than serving common community needs.
• Employment Myths: Despite claims that defense investment drives growth and employment, research from the Delàs Center for Peace Studies suggests that investments in healthcare, education, or public transport produce significantly higher job creation rates.

Academic and Ethical Implications

• Lack of Critical Ethics: Technical curricula focus heavily on professional etiquette but neglect the moral responsibility of engineers regarding the real-world consequences of their work.
• Technological Determinism: By promoting 'dual-use' technology without debate, the university risks creating a generation of technicians devoid of critical thinking or social empathy, serving as a talent pipeline for arms manufacturers.
• Education for Humanity: The core criticism centers on the loss of university values, advocating for an educational model that builds life and community rather than mere technological optimization for state security.