Research is global, but security is key, says minister

Internationalisation of Danish universities is not just desirable — it is essential.

That was the key message coming out of the annual research policy meeting of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters on 12 May. At the same time, international collaboration needs to be approached with caution, as the world has changed.

At the centre of the meeting was the launch of this year’s white paper from the academy — an annual report which focusses on a new theme each year — and a speech by the Danish Minister for Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund (Moderates Party). She warned against both naivety, and isolation.

»We need strong international research collaborations — not despite global unrest, but in some ways also because of it,« said the minister.

A world in flux

The world is no longer as predictable as it was when Denmark, in the 2000s, invested heavily in international collaboration, mobility, and global outlook in its research and education policy.

»We live in a time when academic freedom is affected by global political interests,« said the minister, pointing to two countries:

READ ALSO: Deputy Director: International spying a future threat to research

China, with whom Denmark has previously had close cooperation, is now accused of research espionage and of using research partnerships for military purposes.

And the United States. The new Trump administration has — in the minister’s own words — put academic freedom under pressure, including the threat to withdraw funding from universities that conduct research in certain areas.

READ ALSO: UCPH research project shut down after US withdraws funding

Fewer, but better

For many years, internationalisation meant getting as many international students to Denmark as possible. The more students, the better the business case for the Danish treasury. But it is no longer about quantity — it is about who comes, what they bring with them, and whether they stay.

This is the course change that the Royal Danish Academy calls for in this year’s white paper. Where Denmark previously focused on quantity, the Academy now recommends a much more targeted and quality-focused approach.

Not least because several smaller disciplines — at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) for example, philosophy and egyptology — have felt the impact of recent political cutbacks to English-language programmes. For many of these disciplines, international students were crucial both for academic standards and to maintain teaching capacity.

Statistics show that international graduates who remain in Denmark contribute significantly to the Danish economy. And more international students are staying. Retention is increasing — not least thanks to targeted efforts from universities, industry, and organisations.

Europe’s opportunity

In her speech, Christina Egelund emphasised that Denmark cannot stand alone. European research collaboration must be strengthened both in scope and in depth. She highlighted Europe’s historical role as a bastion of free thought and independent research.

»If Europe is to serve as a guiding light, we need to defend the values that make us stronger — even during hard times,« she said.

According to the minister, cross-border cooperation is not optional in times of global upheaval. It is a necessity.

At the same time, Christina Egelund underlined that such cooperation requires solid judgment: Denmark cannot work with just about anyone, on just about anything.

In the white paper, it is described as a balancing act: Security threats from authoritarian regimes should not be ignored. But Denmark must not cut itself off from knowledge and collaboration in areas where others lead.

As the minister put it towards the end of her speech:

»It’s not about closing doors — it’s about knowing who walks through which doors.«