Universities told to report foreign interference on campus to MI5
Summary
UK universities have been instructed to report any foreign interference directly to government and security services. The focus is on addressing threats like censorship and intimidation, particularly related to Chinese influence. This follows concerns about academic freedom and interference from government entities.Key Facts
- UK universities are asked to report foreign interference to the government and MI5.
- The government has allocated £3 million to create a secure platform for universities to report threats.
- 70 university leaders attended a briefing with MI5 on foreign interference, with a focus on Chinese influence.
- Some Chinese students in the UK have been pressured to spy on peers, according to reports.
- The UK-China Transparency think tank found evidence of intimidation by Chinese officials at universities.
- Confucius Institutes, which promote Chinese culture, have faced criticism for ties to China’s government.
- A report detailed harassment at Sheffield Hallam University due to research on Uyghur Muslims.
- The Office for Students plans to address threats to academic freedom with universities.
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