While we are grateful for your coverage of the work of the Scholars at Risk Network and universities like the University of Oslo (UiO) to assist persecuted scholars («Few get academic asylum», 2008-10-15), we must disagree with the implication that the university is not contributing in important ways to our global effort.

UiO was among the first universities in Europe to join our activities; among the first in Europe to host not one but two scholars; actively participates in network events; and most recently is helping to encourage more Norwegian and other European universities to take part. Of course we will be delighted when the university is again able to host a scholar, as we are grateful to Dr. Inga Bostad for her stated efforts to make an invitation possible. But a university's contributions are not measured only by hosting, rather by the extent to which university leaders, administrators, faculty and students participate in a wide range of activities - events, outreach to new members and supporters, research projects and direct advocacy - all aimed to meet the enormous challenge of intellectual persecution.

By this measure, the UiO is an important and valued contributor to our growing, international network and we look forward to continuing to work together.