Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Paragraph: 57
We recommend that the Government fund and manage the creation of a regularly- updated due...
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government fund and manage the creation of a regularly- updated due diligence and intelligence database to provide universities with a directory of Chinese institutions and companies that possess strong or suspected connections to technology-aided human rights abuses. The FCDO should convene a panel to oversee and discuss due diligence, to include government officials and members of the academic community. This panel should use all means available to exert public pressure on institutions, ensuring compliance.
Paragraph Reference:
57
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The Government, universities and funding bodies have a shared responsibility and interest in tackling the risks of academic interference. In October 2020, Universities UK published new security guidelines commissioned by the Government. The guidelines advise universities to utilise publicly available information to enhance understanding of prospective partners and identify any potential links to hostile activity. The guidelines also recommend that universities engage with in-house academics with relevant expertise to inform university decision-making and to provide information to staff. We judge that these are currently appropriate to manage the risks, however we will continue to keep our approach under review and work closely with universities and funding bodies on these measures.