November 14, 2019

UOW welcomes new guidelines to counter foreign interference in Australia’s university sector

Vice-Chancellor commends consultative approach

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wollongong (UOW), Professor Paul Wellings CBE, has welcomed the Australian Government’s release today (Thursday, 14 November 2019) of new Guidelines to Counter Foreign Interference in the Australian University Sector.

“As a research-intensive global institution with campuses in Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong and Malaysia and a 150,000 strong alumni community spanning more than 140 countries, UOW enjoys a strong international reputation for high quality research, teaching and engagement with business.

“UOW values international collaboration and is committed to working with its partners to have a positive impact in the world through the transformative power of education and research.

“UOW is equally committed to protecting Australia’s national interests in our conduct of research and in our engagement with international partners,” Professor Wellings said.

Professor Wellings said the University ensures its activities comply with Australia’s Defence Export Controls and other legal and regulatory obligations and works closely with relevant Australian Government agencies in this regard.

“The University of Wollongong has always responded positively and proactively to regulatory changes and sector-wide reforms and we will do so again as we work with the Australian Government and the rest of the higher education sector on the guidelines Minister Tehan has released today.

“These guidelines have been prepared in partnership with the higher education sector through a deeply cooperative and inclusive consultative process.

“The result is a very useful and practical set of guidelines that preserve institutional autonomy and protect Australia’s higher education sector while enabling our universities to continue collaborating in world-leading research,” Professor Wellings said.

UOW is recognised around the world for its traditional research strengths including materials science, mining and manufacturing.

UOW also boasts rapidly emerging research strengths in science and medical research, underpinned by the University’s investment in Molecular Horizons, its world-leading molecular science research facility, which is confronting some of the biggest medical challenges facing the world today.

UOW has many international research collaborations with universities, institutes, corporations and university networks spanning many nations and across all fields. These include relationships in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, USA and the UK, along with many other nations.

UOW staff are now reviewing the guidelines in detail and planning their implementation.