The case

The Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) has tightened its admission rules for students from autocratically governed countries, which forms part of a larger packet of measures.

Source: SRF1, Echo der Zeit, 25 November 2024

The commentary

​The latest steps taken centre around the motto “knowledge security”, which is about protection of scientific knowledge and technological achievements from unauthorised access, misuse or potential threats, particularly in sensitive areas such as high tech, cyber security or military research. The aim of the latest measures is to ensure that research results and technological innovations are not used for purposes that are contrary to the interests of the country of origin or international security.

ETH Zurich, like other leading universities in Europe, plays a key role in global research. Due to geopolitical developments, particularly in connection with the tensions between Western countries and autocratic regimes, the institution feels obliged to fulfil its responsibility in dealing with sensitive technologies and knowledge. The new regulations are intended to ensure that the university’s openness is not exploited and the knowledge acquired at this prestigious institution is not misused to jeopardise Western or Swiss interests.

The discussion about “knowledge security” shows how much scientific institutions have become involved in geopolitical conflicts and how paramount it has become to carefully handle knowledge in a world that is becoming the longer the more polarized.

This, in turn, begs the question what companies plan on doing to secure their knowledge?