November 27, 2019

Due diligence in international research collaboration

UOW responds to national security concerns

As a world-class, research intensive university, the University of Wollongong has a wide range of research collaborations, ranging from formal research contracts or agreements with international organisations and institutions through to informal cooperation between academic colleagues.

Research collaborations at the University of Wollongong are governed by the University’s comprehensive suite of policies, procedures and codes of practice that ensure compliance with all relevant national standards, codes, laws and export controls as well as the University’s own high ethical standards.

The University of Wollongong is concerned by recent allegations regarding historical collaborations with individual academics or institutions allegedly connected to the Chinese military establishment.

Some of the research collaborations referred to by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and in subsequent media reporting, pre-date the introduction of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012, are no longer active, or relate to researchers who have since concluded any contact with UOW.

The University takes all necessary steps to obtain the best available information when undertaking due diligence and ensuring legal and policy compliance. This diligence is applied to PhD students, international exchanges, visiting scholars or professors, formal collaborations or other collaborative research activities.

International PhD students and visiting academics are required to obtain a visa before undertaking research at the University of Wollongong. This involves providing the Australian Government with extensive personal information for assessment, which may include their curriculum vitae and a detailed research proposal.

Australian Government security agencies have the responsibility, authority and capability to conduct the required background checks prior to any student or academic being granted a visa. The University relies on Australian Government vetting and works closely with the relevant agencies to facilitate this process.

UOW continues to work closely with the Australian Government when determining the suitability of partners so as to ensure its international research collaborations yield benefits to Australia while safeguarding Australia’s national interests.