Universities are given warning over foreign threat to freedom of speech

UNIVERSITIES could be told to terminate their arrangements with foreign countries if freedom of speech and academic freedom is undermined, the Government’s free speech tsar has said.

Professor Arif Ahmed, director for freedom of speech and academic freedom at the Office for Students, said many universities and colleges have “international arrangements”

– including admitting overseas students on scholarships and hosting institutes partly funded by foreign governments.

The watchdog believes there is a “possibility of concerns relating to freedom of speech” in these relationships, Prof Ahmed said.

His comments came as the higher-education regulator launched a consultation on guidance about freedom of speech, ahead of universities, colleges and student unions taking on new free-speech duties.

The guidance includes examples to illustrate what higher education institutions may have to do to fulfil their new duties – due to come into effect in August – to secure freedom of speech within the law.

Prof Ahmed said the watchdog could receive complaints from students, academics or visiting speakers about a university’s arrangement with a foreign country or institution.

He said: “For instance, if it means there are people employed by an institute who are preventing legitimate protests or shutting down lecturers from covering certain kinds of content regarding that country for instance, or that country’s foreign policy.

“Or were complaining about it if a university is restricting that kind of activity because it’s concerned about its relationships with a foreign country.

“If that behaviour amounts to a restriction of freedom of speech within the law, and someone brings a complaint to us, then we may find that the complaint is justified and then we make recommendations.”