Assessment Frameworks for Sensitive Partnerships

In today’s geopolitical climate, greater vigilance is needed when entering into international partnerships. The security of our knowledge, particularly when it comes to sensitive technologies, is of vital importance.

Together, we must ensure that such knowledge and technology are not used in ways that could harm our national security, innovative capacity or academic freedom. The UM Knowledge Security Assessment Framework and dedicated advisers help to ensure that international collaborations proceed as safely as possible. 

 Assessment Framework International Cooperation and Knowledge Security (TISK) UM 

Together with our partner institutions, we aim to share and develop knowledge while also safeguarding fundamental human rights. We therefore recognise our responsibility to assess whether any of our institutional partners may be involved in serious human rights violations. To ensure that our education and research do not contribute to such violations, the UM Human Rights Due Diligence Assessment Framework has been established.

Assessments are carried out by the Human Rights Advisory Committee (HRAC), which advises the Executive Board on whether to enter into, renew or continue institutional strategic partnerships. The HRAC also provides advice on projects and individual collaborations when a member of the university community submits a specific proposal for review.

 UM Human Rights Due Diligence Assessment Framework 

International collaboration is one of the cornerstones of academic research. Founded on openness and the protection of academic freedom, it forms the basis for continuous innovation and progress. At UM, we are also firmly convinced - on the basis of scientific evidence - of the urgency of the climate crisis and recognise the need for decisive action to limit further harm.

The UM Fossil-Free Society Assessment Framework aids in evaluating whether proposed research collaborations are consistent with UM’s contribution to the transition towards a fossil-free society. The framework assesses both the nature of the research project and the profile of the prospective partner.

 Transition to a fossil-free society