New Delhi: Amid concerns that foreign governments are targeting sensitive research at UK universities, the UK government said in a statement that it will launch a consultation on measures to protect universities in the country from security threats.
The consultation, due to be launched this summer, will include measures to prevent institutions becoming dependent on foreign investment and will explore ways to extend security clearance to key personnel within universities.
Oliver Dowden, deputy prime minister, said: “For a millennium, our universities have thrived on being open. Open to ideas, open to innovation, open to being independent of government. This is not about erecting fences, this is about balancing evolving threats and protecting the integrity and security of our great institutions.”
The government said that the UK’s universities are facing a range of threats from foreign states, including universities stealing intellectual property to enhance their own economic and military capabilities.
The threat posed by foreign states was discussed by the director general of MI5 and chief executive officer of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) during a joint threat assessment, with vice chancellor’s heard about the risks facing academia and ways institutions can protect leading research in partnership with the UK government.