Over 1,000 people attend event on security screening

Nationality, country of origin, previous education and subject area are not automatic criteria for exclusion from a study programme, research activities or a job at ETH Zurich. This also applies to applications from countries that have been placed on the sanctions list by the United Nations (UN) Security Council, sanctioned by the EU or the USA, or classified as high-risk countries with regard to proliferation. This was one of the key messages at the information event on 6 November, to which ETH Zurich invited all of its members.

Factsheets and numerous misunderstandings

An article on this channel (Internal news of 24 October 2024) informed readers of factsheets on the security screening of applications, in which such countries were mentioned. The fallout from this publication extended well beyond the boundaries of ETH after it was widely picked up by media outlets and became the subject of emotional debates on social media. Over time, more and more misunderstandings crept into the debate, leading to growing concern.

In the online event, senior internal figures and experts set out the basis for the rules in detail and explained how they are applied in everyday practice. Over 1,000 people signed in to follow the event.

Compliance with international obligations

Stefan Spiegel, who is responsible for compliance matters as Vice President for Finance and Controlling, explained in his opening remarks that the security screening of applications is based on export control. This serves to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and conventional arms, as well as the misuse of “dual use” technologies that have both civilian and military applications.

His colleague Silvia Nast, who is responsible for export control, gave a presentation setting out the international treaties that underpin the rules and what their purpose is. She then gave a detailed explanation of which subject areas and people are affected, how the criteria are to be understood, and which offices are responsible for putting the rules into practice. Nast emphasised that the rules are there to protect ETH researchers from unknowingly putting themselves at risk of prosecution.

In the subsequent question and answer session, Anders Hagström, Head of International Affairs, and Stefanie Knill, Head of Student Administration at Academic Services, were also on hand to answer participants’ questions. The session was chaired by Rainer Borer, Head of Corporate Communications.

Answers to pressing questions

The factsheet on security screenings for doctoral applications contained a recommendation to reject an application if several of the four stated criteria were met. This advice was the subject of numerous questions, with the experts emphasising that applications are not automatically rejected under any circumstances and that all dossiers are assessed on an individual basis. Rather, the criteria are to be understood as a warning signal that an application should be examined in greater detail. Doctoral students are generally recruited directly by professors – and there are over 500 of these, as we all know. In this respect, they said, the factsheet was designed to act as a helpful resource.

With regard to the factsheet for Master’s degree programmes, participants asked the fundamental question of why students undergo screening in the first place. All of the teaching materials are, after all, publicly available. The rationale for security screening in this area is that the education at our university is highly research-oriented. Master’s students work in the labs and often also on projects involving the application of fundamental research.

Over 400 questions asked

Particularly numerous questions came from the Chinese community, who were very concerned that their compatriots might be excluded from Master’s study programmes altogether. The experts were able to allay these concerns with facts. ETH has been applying security screening in the Master’s admissions process since a year ago, and 198 new Chinese students entered Master’s study programmes in the Autumn Semester 2024.

In total, over 400 questions were submitted before and during the event, many of them by several participants. The questions related to the criteria used in security screening, the process, and how the issue is handled at other academic institutions, as well as the potential impact on ETH Zurich’s reputation.

A recording of the event is available for all ETH members who were unable to follow it live.