Senate to probe foreign states’ meddling in universities

French senators have set up an investigation into the ‘influences’ on French higher education of meddling non-European countries – notably, allegedly, China, Turkey and some Gulf states.

The parliamentary inquiry into “non-European states’ influences in the French university and academic world” was established at the initiative of senators belonging to the Rassemblement des Démocrates, Progressistes et Indépendants group.

It was launched last week, starting with a questionnaire to universities distributed through the Conférence des Présidents d’Université, the body representing university heads.

Timing will be tight, with hearings planned to take place during the summer and conclusions presented at the end of September, according to a statement from the Senate.

The statement said the issue of foreign influences on the values of the French university world was little researched; whereas countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom reported “alarming instances of foreign influence and interference in their universities”, and set up parliamentary inquiries on such practices as funding of university chairs, manipulation of research for ideological or political ends, or pressures exerted on their expatriate students and, potentially, teachers.

“There are multiple, often subtle, methods which depend on the tradition of exchanges and internationalisation of the Western world of research,” said the statement.

According to Le Monde, the inquiry will be confined to a few significant countries, notably Turkey, China and some Gulf states.

Senator Étienne Blanc, president of the inquiry, said it would “identify states which deliberately distort the values of freedom and scientific integrity of our universities for internal political ends or intrusion which could harm our national sovereignty”.

“It is a matter of defining the limit between soft power and more offensive practices of some states which try to exploit their growing presence in our campuses and laboratories as a lever for geopolitical influence.”

The inquiry’s rapporteur, Senator André Gattolin, said: “The moment has come in France to be concerned about the extent and impact of the phenomenon, to defend ourselves better.”