Dubai: A Zayed University professor who was dismissed over the cartoon row has not been pardoned, a university official said.
It was claimed by news reports in UAE English dailies that Professor Andrew Hirst, supervisor of the English Language Centre at ZU, was reinstated yesterday. A senior official at the University said: "Whatever you read was wrong."
Students welcomed the university's decision. Mass communication student Nada Ali said that freedom of expression is bound by social responsibility.
She said: "You can't just say anything and cite freedom of speech as an excuse."
The Zayed University official clarified that Hirst will be allowed to complete the current academic year to prevent further disruption of student interests.
The official said: "All links with him will be severed after June 14."
Hirst and Claudia Kiburz, another university professor, were fired last week after Kiburz distributed prints of the cartoons in class.
