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For further information about the University's FOI procedure, please
see: [5]http://www.bristol.ac.uk/secretary/foi/

References

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1. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/index/
2. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/s...
3. https://www.hesa.ac.uk/
4. https://www.jisc.ac.uk/tailored-datasets
5. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/secretary/foi/

Dear Flo Marks,

Freedom of Information Request (our reference FOI23-124)

We refer to your Freedom of Information request dated 4^th March.

Your Request and the University’s Response

Further to Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the “Act”) we
confirm that the information requested is partially held by the University
of Bristol (the “University”).

“Could you confirm whether your university has any formal guidelines for
ensuring the safety of students from surveillance or coercion from those
acting on behalf of foreign governments (for example, safety from
surveillance, blackmail, forced pledges of loyalty and being reported on
by fellow students)? If so, please provide access to this document.

We are especially interested in two particular examples of transnational
repression of Chinese students that have been reported on in the media:

1) Has your organisation evaluated the possible risk posed by Chinese
Student and Scholar Associations given evidence that they have surveilled
other students, organised counter protestors and acted upon orders from
the Chinese Embassy?
Examples:
https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/06/30/th...
[1]https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019...

No information is held in relation to the above questions.
2) “Are you aware of how many international students are receiving funding
from the Chinese Scholarship Council stream? The CSC is part of the
Chinese education ministry and organises foreign exchange programmes and
international studies for Chinese students.”

For the CSC-UoB joint PhD scholarship programme, we have received around
250 CSC students since 2016.

“Have you investigated the possible risk posed to students involved with
this programme given recent evidence that agreements students sign include
pledges of loyalty to the party state and threaten students’ parents with
debt if they fail to complete their studies?
Details:
https://thepienews.com/news/chinese-stud...

The University has policies in place that are designed to ensure all
research that it undertakes is conducted ethically and appropriately, and
upholds the rights, dignity, health, safety and privacy of researchers and
participants. There are processes in place for assessing the financial,
ethical or reputational risk of partnerships which relate to research,
including where foreign agencies are involved. 

“Has your institution ever had to deal with a case where a student was put
at risk of transnational repression and can you provide details of how
your institution dealt with this situation? Feel free to keep the identity
of the student anonymous.”

No, we have not dealt with such cases in the past.

Internal Review Procedure

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, then you have a
right under Section 50 of the Act to request an internal review.  All such
requests must be sent to us within 40 days, and must clearly state our
reference number (at the top of this email) and your reason for requesting
an internal review.  We will aim to respond to your request for an
internal review within 20 working days of receipt.

Your request for an internal review should be sent to
[2][University of Bristol request email], quoting your FOI reference number.
Alternatively, you could post it to:

Director of Legal Services

Secretary’s Office

University of Bristol

Beacon House

Queens Road

Bristol

BS8 1QU

Information Commissioners Office

Should you remain dissatisfied with the final outcome of the internal
review then you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner (the
“ICO”) for an independent review.  The ICO is the Government’s Independent
Body responsible for overseeing the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the
Data Protection Act 2018 and The Environmental Information Regulations
2004.

Please note the ICO will only review cases that have exhausted the
University’s internal review procedure. All correspondence to the ICO must
quote the University’s reference number and your reasons for your appeal. 
The ICO’s contact details are as follows:

The Information Commissioners Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

More information can be found at the ICO’s website
at [3]http://www.ico.org.uk

Kind Regards

Freedom of Information Team

University of Bristol

References

Visible links
1. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019...
2. mailto:[University of Bristol request email]
3. http://www.ico.org.uk/