New guidelines may force universities to end some overseas partnerships with autocratic countries, officials say
New guidelines may force universities to end some overseas partnerships with autocratic countries, officials say
Freedom-of-speech guidelines pave the way for a new complaints system in England's universities.
The guidelines apply to all autocratic countries, but China is likely to be the principal concern.
Scholarships funded by foreign governments and partnerships that mean academic staff have to pass ideological tests may breach rules, according to the Office for Students (OfS).
It has launched a consultation on its guidance, which will come into effect in August.
Universities say they take their commitments to freedom of speech and academic freedom "extremely seriously".
Examples of the sort of scholarships that might need to end include:
They include scholarships where international students "must accept the principles of the ruling party" of their country, and where that party seeks to control students through its consulate.
They also include institutes that are part-funded by overseas organisations, and where academic staff must pass "an ideological test as a condition of appointment and employment".
Good! Outrageous that they were ever allowed in the first place.
From Chinese students in Germany, a technology promise to the motherland - (2014)
Illustrating the grip the Communist party and government try to maintain on overseas Chinese students, researchers and business people, an exchange of letters between President Xi Jinping and Chinese students in Germany has produced passionate promises from the students to serve the motherland - and deliver advanced technology backed to China, the state news media reported.
[...]
To at least one Western intelligence official, the exchange was a textbook exercise in ensuring a steady flow of science and technology back to China from educational institutions and companies in the West.
[Edit typo.]