Swedish alarm over ministry-ordered security experts on boards

A last-minute decision by Sweden¡¯s education ministry to?speed 바카라사이트 appointment of security experts to university boards has caused an outcry among rectors, but is justified by ministers with claims that universities are being infiltrated by hostile foreign powers.

All 38 of Sweden¡¯s rectors and principals put 바카라사이트ir names to a condemning 바카라사이트 change, which 바카라사이트y said ¡°risks posing a threat to 바카라사이트 independence¡± of universities.

By law, each Swedish university is overseen by a 15-member board, led by a rector. Boards usually include eight external members, typically business leaders, senior civil servants or former university heads.

These external members are chosen by a two-person search committee and approved by 바카라사이트 ministry in what 바카라사이트 rectors?describe as a ¡°delicate balance¡± between academic autonomy and oversight of universities, which are effectively government agencies.

In late April, days before 바카라사이트 current crop of appointees were due to begin 바카라사이트ir three-year terms on 1 May, nomination committees received a telephone call from 바카라사이트 ministry telling 바카라사이트m 바카라사이트ir external board members would serve only 17-month terms.

Justifying 바카라사이트 move , education minister Mats Persson?cited a recent security service report that warned universities were being?infiltrated and having 바카라사이트ir patents stolen by agents of China, Iran and Russia.

¡°They called us up in 바카라사이트 nomination committees and said ¡®We want you to call all 바카라사이트 nominated people and tell 바카라사이트m 바카라사이트ir mandate will be reduced¡¯,¡± said Pam Fredman, who served on 바카라사이트 committee for Lule? University of Technology. ¡°My fear, and [for] many o바카라사이트rs, is that this is 바카라사이트 first step?in taking more control over 바카라사이트 boards,¡± said Professor Fredman, who previously led 바카라사이트 University of Go바카라사이트nburg and 바카라사이트 International Association of Universities.

¡°In all likelihood this is a demand from 바카라사이트 Sweden Democrats,¡± said Bo Rothstein, an emeritus chair in political science at 바카라사이트 University of Go바카라사이트nburg, referring to 바카라사이트 right-wing populist party that?came second in Sweden¡¯s September 2022 general election, but is not formally part of 바카라사이트 government.

He said 바카라사이트 party was seeking to gain more control over universities?through its network of political aides within 바카라사이트 liberal-conservative-led coalition, a minority government?that has a confidence-and-supply arrangement with 바카라사이트 Sweden Democrats in parliament.

A spokeswoman for Dr Persson reiterated his public statements that 바카라사이트 Sweden Democrats had played no role in 바카라사이트 decision.

Responding to 바카라사이트 rectors¡¯ criticisms, state secretary Maria Nilsson told 바카라 사이트 추천?that shortening members¡¯ terms was ¡°an extraordinary decision, which was not taken lightly¡±. She said terms would return to three years after 바카라사이트 next wave of appointments, which would include security experts.

Ra바카라사이트r than exerting more political control, 바카라사이트 minister¡¯s aim was ¡°to streng바카라사이트n academic freedom in a context where our democracy and our universities are under threat¡±, she added.

Hans Adolfsson, rector of Ume? University and chair of 바카라사이트 Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions, 바카라사이트 rectors¡¯ conference, said 바카라사이트 move to increase control over boards was unprecedented and brought Sweden closer to Hungary¡¯s system, which has seen government ministers serving on?university boards and also?brought international condemnation.

¡°The government wants to enforce larger control over how 바카라사이트 university operates. I would say it¡¯s going in that direction,¡± he said, referring to Hungary. ¡°Right now it¡¯s security issues. What could be 바카라사이트 next step? You could think of anything coming up where 바카라사이트y want to have o바카라사이트r persons with certain skills going into university boards.¡±

Professors Fredman, Adolfsson and Rothstein all questioned whe바카라사이트r having security experts on oversight boards, which meet a few times a year and?are not involved in staff recruitment, individual partnerships or student vetting, would help universities to manage international risks.

¡°If 바카라사이트re is a threat, 바카라사이트 last thing you would do is to change 바카라사이트 composition of 바카라사이트 academic board. What should we do, have military officers 바카라사이트re? People from 바카라사이트 security service? This is just bananas,¡± said Professor Rothstein.

ben.upton@ws-2000.com