Universities to hold secret seminars to thwart spies

STUDENTS may be asked to attend seminars without being identified to protect universities from interference by foreign spies.

They could also be told to submit their essays anonymously.

The guidance, drawn up by university officials, aims to prevent academics from dictatorial states such as China being targeted for undertaking research not in line with its beliefs.

it also warns about the threat of hacking and intellectual property theft, following cyberattacks aimed at stealing valuable information on coronavirus research projects.

The ‘secret seminar’ plan would apply to both online seminars, or other discussion groups, and the

‘Protect students and staff’

traditional type where participants attend in person.

The guidance from Universities UK, the representative body, says online courses could be recorded by foreign agents, and therefore universities will need to carefully consider how to protect students and staff.

it also suggests that if academics gather to discuss a politically sensitive topic the list of participants will be confidential and so will their remarks. ‘Academics and students may feel less able to participate in academic debate or progress research on certain topics that may be deemed sensitive by, and potentially subject to legal restrictions in, another nation state,’ it says.

Universities could also ‘allow students to submit coursework anonymously’ to protect them.

The guidance does not mention any country by name, but China and Russia currently present the biggest threats.