La Trobe University > Statements > Foreign Engagement

Foreign Engagement

Foreign engagement is core to La Trobe University’s teaching learning and research. Working with foreign partners strengthens our impact and enriches the university experience.

Foreign engagement risk

While in most cases, such cooperation is positive, the nature of higher education – particularly international research, collaboration, and student exchange – creates potential entry points for foreign interference.

This can result in:

  • loss of intellectual property
  • compromised IT systems
  • reputational damage.

It is not always possible to eliminate every threat. But through awareness, policy and oversight, we can significantly reduce risk and protect the university community.

To safeguard universities, the Australian Government has introduced a range of laws and guidelines to protect world-class research, as well as the rights and freedoms of staff and students.

Our Foreign Engagement Framework

La Trobe University takes foreign interference seriously and is committed to safeguarding its people, research, and partnerships. To support this, we have implemented a Foreign Engagement Framework to ensure all international engagements are safe, transparent, and compliant with Australian law.

The Framework sets out the University’s governance approach to compliance with:

Our framework brings together policy, training and governance to reduce risk and promote responsible international collaboration.

It includes:

  • a Foreign Engagement Policy
  • due diligence checks for partnerships, funding and research
  • reporting pathways for suspicious activity
  • training for staff and students on risks and responsibilities
  • an Executive Advisory Group to oversee and respond to high-risk issues

Recognising foreign interference

At the university, you may access sensitive information – personal, academic or research-related – that could be of interest to foreign actors. This includes:

  • personal details of staff and students
  • information about grants or research projects, especially involving critical technologies or dual-use goods
  • influence over the content of courses or teaching materials
  • professional networks at La Trobe, nationally or abroad

Awareness

Foreign interference can be subtle or direct. On campus, it might involve:

  • attempts to access sensitive or confidential information through delegations, seminars, collaborations or funding offers
  • pressure to adjust academic content to the benefit of a foreign political, religious or ideological agenda
  • targeted funding or donations designed to influence teaching or research direction
  • efforts to target or recruit staff or students to support foreign interests
  • attempts to alter, direct research focus, influence or control of funding arrangements and intellectual property
  • cyber attacks that exploit network vulnerabilities to access university systems
  • unauthorised videos, recordings or photos of restricted spaces

Risks

Foreign interference can harm individuals, research programs and the university as a whole. Key risks include:

  • unsolicited access to research, sensitive or personal data
  • breach of legal or contractual obligations
  • targeting the university community to gather information
  • loss of partnerships, collaborations and talent attraction
  • loss of intellectual property or commercial opportunity
  • undue influence over teaching and learning
  • cyber attacks, surveillance or manipulation targeting the university community

How you can help

  • recognise the sensitivity of information you access
  • undertake due diligence before engaging with a foreign entity or individual
  • be alert to unusual activity, interest, offers or contact
  • use discretion when discussing projects or affiliations

Online Safety

  • avoid clicking on suspicious links, unknown messages or social media connections
  • don’t overshare project details on public channels such as social media
  • use secure passwords and regularly update them
  • avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive work
  • protect your devices and personal information by following La Trobe’s cybersecurity guidelines

Reporting an incident

If you believe that you are being unduly influenced or manipulated with the aim to:

  • deliberately suppress your right to freedom of expression or academic freedom
  • gain unauthorised access to student information or academic materials
  • act in ways that compromise your integrity, or academic standards, such as:
    • demands
    • inducements to change academic programs or research agendas

Please notify us via the Safer Community portal or email the Foreign Arrangements Team.

Helpful resources