– As a country, I think we should be vigilant and careful, but we cannot go into the basement and become paranoid all the time. That’s what Research and Higher Education Minister Ola Borten Moe (Sp) says. Last week, a foreign citizen was arrested in Tromsø. The person was a Brazilian citizen who worked as a researcher at the university, but who PST believes is actually Russian and works for Russian intelligence. In September, a German-Iranian professor who worked at NTNU was prosecuted for violating the sanctions against Iran by inviting several guest researchers from Iran and giving them access to a laboratory. The routines have been tightened With the invasion of Ukraine as a backdrop, there is increased tension in this country as well. Among other things, the defense intensified its preparedness on Monday. Borten Moe is aware that the government is taking all necessary precautions to ensure that Norwegian universities are secured against espionage, but is also concerned that one must not be too cautious. – What takes place at our universities does not have to be and is mostly not top secret and classified activity. – We have various initiatives to improve routines and look at which parts of Norwegian education and research are most worthy of protection. At the same time, Borten Moe believes that awareness is high. – I don’t think you should underestimate the factor of increased awareness in society and how it affects each individual institution. Calling for a meeting At the same time, Borten Moe will call several Norwegian universities to a sector meeting where routines will be reviewed. The minister is also concerned that Norway wants researchers from abroad. – We are still an open democracy and it is important for us to attract researchers and teaching staff from all over the world. – Then we must have good systems that enable us to protect what needs to be protected, and that we are otherwise open, welcoming and able to draw on a lot of good work that is happening all over the world. Has tightened security NTNU has already been clear that they have tightened security and that meetings with PST are taking place more frequently than before. – We have tightened the ICT control and hired more people from the police and the Norwegian Armed Forces to strengthen everyday preparedness, said Bjørn Haugstad, director of organization and infrastructure at NTNU to news last week. Board member of the University and College Council (UHR) and rector of NTNU, Anne Borg, has also stated that they are regularly in dialogue with the authorities on how to safeguard social security and international cooperation on research and higher education. – The Universities and Colleges Council (UHR) is very aware of the balance between international knowledge collaboration and national security, Borg told news.
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Ola Borten Moe asks people not to become paranoid about accepting foreign researchers and fellows – news Trøndelag
