There will be a mandatory security screening for all students and scientists of sensitive technology studies. This should prevent sensitive information from ending up in the wrong hands through espionage or theft, Education Minister Eppo Bruins wrote in a letter on Friday. letter to the House of Representatives.
This concerns students and researchers from universities and colleges who can gain access to “sensitive knowledge or technology”, according to the government. The fear is that information could fall into the hands of countries such as China, Russia and Iran, which could use sensitive technology for military purposes.
Security services have been warning about this for some time. So wrote the AIVD in 2022 that knowledge institutions are being targeted “on a large scale” in campaigns to “capture high-quality technology”. The service also noted “far-reaching Iranian interest in high-quality knowledge” from universities.
Collaborations with foreign institutions are particularly risky. The MIVD noted in 2023 that China will send ‘talented Chinese students and professionals to the Netherlands to ‘acquire knowledge’. Several students are admitting fewer students from Chinese universities for this reason.
The plan was originally to only screen students from outside Europe, but that turned out to be “too vulnerable from a legal perspective.” The Human Rights Institute and the State Attorney warned of the risk of discrimination. It has therefore been decided not to make any distinction on the basis of nationality or right of residence.
It is not yet clear how many students are affected and when the screenings will be carried out.