The major threat universities face is interference with their operating systems, the Innovative Research Universities warns. As for campus controversy – not so much

The IRU’s submission to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence inquiry into foreign interference on campus argues “data theft and cybersecurity are a serious and ever-present risk for Australian universities,” and while pointing out what the sector is doing about it, the lobby calls on the committee, “to identify the additional support the government should provide to universities and research bodies to ensure optimum operating systems capable of resisting external interference.”

The IRU is less exercised by allegations of foreign interference in campus life. Its submission acknowledges “much has been made of the role of Confucius Institutes,” but suggests they “are a form of Chinese ‘soft power’ comparable to the Goethe Institute, Alliance Francaise and British Council.

And the IRU outright rejects claims that foreign interference shuts down free speech on campuses. “These issues now consume considerable time and energy for low-level examples where a case can be made that free and open discussion was not achieved.”

“These debates make for interesting news stories. However, they are not a threat to Australia’s sovereignty, economy or national security.”

“All up, the number of cases and their detail do not suggest any major problem with freedom of speech or academic freedom due to foreign interference. They show the need for universities to ensure students understand the freedom to debate issues and to support staff who are challenged to respond to the concerns students raise, without giving up on any reasoned argument or position. Parliamentarians and others who believe in free speech should support the open exchange of these views,” the IRU announces.

Good-o for universities which have not had major public controversies over their relations with foreign powers

But it’s not so simple for universities where there are perceptions of management’s not wishing to offend great and powerful friends.  As occurred last year at Uni Queensland, where student Drew Pavlou denounced the university over connections with the Chinese state. The university disciplined Mr Pavlou but claimed it was for misconduct, not his human rights advocacy – which was not enough to save it from ferocious criticism from federal MP Bob Katter and blistering coverage on TV’s 60 Minutes (CMM July 20).

The real risk of foreign interference in universities may well be in IT but the appearance of a student critical of the Chinese state being disciplined by a university with large numbers of full-fee paying students from China is not easily ignored.

The parliamentary intel committee may want to hear from Mr Pavlou – he is reported as saying he has been invited to appear before it.