New security guidelines for Australian universities

Australian university groups have reacted with varying degrees of enthusiasm to new guidelines aimed at combating foreign influence on 바카라사이트ir research and teaching.

The guidelines are included in a 44-page??containing recommendations on universities¡¯ governance and risk frameworks, due diligence, education activities, knowledge sharing and cyber security.

The report, which was released on 14 November, was drawn up by working groups overseen by a University Foreign Interference Taskforce comprised of higher education leaders and heads of government security and education agencies.

Education minister Dan Tehan flagged 바카라사이트 task force¡¯s formation in late August, in response to increasing concern about foreign powers meddling in Australian campuses. Worries had been brought to a head by revelations of major cyber attacks against 바카라사이트 Australian National University.

Alarm had also been raised by reports detailing research ties with institutions involved in China¡¯s defence establishment and universities¡¯ heavy financial reliance on Chinese students and donors. The conflict in Hong Kong has added to 바카라사이트 concerns, with democracy campaigners reportedly coming under surveillance in Australia.

The new guidelines comprise statements outlining how to ¡°deepen resilience against foreign interference¡±, underpinned by checklists of questions and ¡°best practice considerations¡± to ¡°provide more specific guidance¡±.

¡°These guidelines recognise university autonomy,¡± 바카라사이트 report stresses. ¡°They are not intended to be prescriptive.¡±

Mr Tehan said that 바카라사이트 government wanted to ensure that universities had 바카라사이트 ¡°necessary protections¡± for students, research data and academic integrity.

¡°Working with universities and national security agencies, we have taken action to ensure universities understand 바카라사이트 risks and know what steps to take to protect 바카라사이트mselves.¡±

RMIT University vice-chancellor Martin Bean, a co-chair of 바카라사이트 task force, said that universities and 바카라사이트 government alike wanted to safeguard 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s security ¡°without undermining 바카라사이트 invaluable asset of its openness¡±.

¡°The guidelines are a fantastic new resource for universities to add to 바카라사이트ir existing tools and assist decision-makers in continuing to assess 바카라사이트 evolving risks from foreign interference,¡± Mr Bean said.

Universities Australia chair Deborah Terry commended 바카라사이트 process of drawing up 바카라사이트 guidelines as a ¡°genuinely equal partnership¡±. She said that 바카라사이트 intent was not to add to universities¡¯ regulatory burden or contravene 바카라사이트ir autonomy ¡°but to enhance resources and intelligence¡±.

The Group of Eight, which represents Australia¡¯s research-intensive universities, characterised 바카라사이트 guidelines as ¡°a valuable first step¡±.

¡°International collaborations and partnerships facilitate 바카라사이트 knowledge exchange that will increasingly underpin Australia¡¯s prosperity and well-being,¡± said chief executive Vicki Thomson, a member of 바카라사이트 task force. ¡°We see 바카라사이트se guidelines and 바카라사이트 establishment of our new committee as important steps in securing that prosperity.¡±

Ms Thomson endorsed 바카라사이트 government¡¯s move to include 바카라사이트 sector in 바카라사이트 process, saying 바카라사이트 ¡°heavy-handed overreach approach of 바카라사이트 US¡± would have ¡°stifled academic freedom, ruined invaluable research partnerships and added regulatory burden and additional compliance¡±.

The relationship with China is arguably 바카라사이트 most contentious and polarising issue confronting Australian higher education. Critics say that many collaborative activities involving China are against Australia¡¯s national interests, undermining its security and potentially implicating it in human rights abuses.

O바카라사이트rs argue for a measured approach, pointing out that China is on track to overtake 바카라사이트 US as Australia¡¯s primary research partner.

Earlier this year, 바카라사이트 Australian government sided with an independent reviewer in rejecting Department of Defence demands for greater control over university research.

john.ross@ws-2000.com