Universities must work more effectively with security agencies

May 16, 2023 Universities must be deliberate about security precautions while promoting the principles of transparency, predictability, academic freedom and equity. By Vivek Goel President and Vice-Chancellor Universities are currently in the national security spotlight, but recent coverage has forgotten the unique position that institutions are in when it comes to protecting Canada's national interests. We are mandated to pursue and transmit knowledge and develop breakthroughs in strategic research areas, which strengthen the Canadian economy. Additionally, we are charged with making sure that same knowledge does not end up in the hands of foreign actors who might use it against Canadians or work against Canadian prosperity. The world has changed. The geopolitical threat environment is now more complex and is technologically enabled. So how do we move forward to pursue safe and productive international research relationships in the current geopolitical context?   We develop strategies to proactively safeguard research in keeping with the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships, established by the federal government in 2021 and evolve to ever-changing updates and directions.