Local academics fear fallout from MIT’s move to tighten vetting on research partners in Hong Kong and mainland China
- Concern comes as MIT tightens scrutiny on ‘elevated risk’ proposals
- Among partnerships is MIT Hong Kong Innovation Node set up in 2015
Hong Kong’s academic sector has voiced concern over the decision by a top US university to tighten its scrutiny and vetting for joint research projects with the city’s educational institutions.
Polytechnic University, which has ties with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), said the new measures may prolong approval processes.
Special attention would be paid to areas such as intellectual property, export controls, data security and human rights, said Maria Zuber, MIT’s vice-president for research.
The university also cut funding ties with Chinese telecoms Huawei and ZTE, citing ongoing US federal investigations over violations of sanction restrictions.
Huawei has faced a string of charges from the US, including that the company stole trade secrets and violated economic sanctions. Huawei has denied the charges.