Tool to assess risk in international HE collaboration

Given rising insecurity and threats to academic freedom internationally, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has developed a guide for universities and research institutions to assess prospects and risks of academic cooperation in complicated circumstances.

DAAD states that global political developments in the 21st century have brought about rapid changes in academic collaboration, making it vital for universities and research institutions to assess the pros and cons of existing and future ventures.

The guide, Keine roten Linien: Wissenschaftskooperationen unter komplexen Rahmenbedingungen (No Red Lines: Academic collaboration under complicated framework conditions), addresses key aspects that need to be considered in cooperating with other countries.

“Whether it be general security situation issues, the rule of law, political influence being taken on academic activities, or academic freedom, our member universities and their scientists and scholars have to give more attention to the framework which international projects and stays abroad are taking place in, given a growing group of what can be referred to as difficult partner countries,” says DAAD President Joybrato Mukherjee.

He argues that both institutional and individual decisions therefore require an analytical grid to assess the prospects and risks of international collaborative ventures.

Mukherjee stresses that the guide is not aimed at simply drawing “red lines” but seeks to provide tools to help institutions to take their own, well-informed decisions.

The analytical grid which it centres on comprises the criteria of general security situation, general political appropriateness of collaboration, constitutional and social policy framework, potentials and risks of the respective higher education and research systems, performance and suitability of the academic partner institutions and the integration of a collaborative venture in a university or research institution’s own institutional strategy. Aspects such as healthcare and transport are also referred to.

The 60-page guide was compiled by DAAD’s Kompetenzzentrum Internationale Wissenschaftskooperationen, an expertise centre which assists German universities in establishing and developing their international collaborative schemes by providing advice, further education and know-how addressing their respective needs.

“One thing is certain in this context,” says Mukherjee. “We will only be able to tackle the challenges of the 21st century in a joint effort. International academic cooperation therefore needs to be extended, even if difficult negotiating processes may sometimes have to be taken into account.”

Michael Gardner E-mail: michael.gardner@uw-news.com