University of South Florida (USF) Florida universities have been actively cutting ties with institutions and entities linked to seven "countries o
Florida universities have been actively cutting ties with institutions and entities linked to seven “countries of concern,” following a 2023 state law. The law, which targeted partnerships with China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria, aimed to limit foreign influence on Florida’s higher education system.
The state university system’s Board of Governors is set to receive a report next week detailing the impact of the law.
According to the report, four of Florida’s 12 universities had a combined 140 agreements, partnerships, and contracts in place with entities in the targeted countries before the law went into effect.
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Of those 140 agreements:
- 77 were terminated.
- 47 were allowed to expire.
- 16 remain active but will expire between now and 2035.
The law prohibits state universities and colleges from entering into new agreements or partnerships with schools, governments, or government officials in the seven listed countries.
It represents a significant shift in Florida’s approach to international collaboration in higher education, prioritizing security concerns and limiting engagement with nations deemed potentially adversarial.
This move has sparked debate about the balance between academic freedom and national security. While proponents of the law argue it protects Florida’s interests, critics express concerns about potential limitations on academic exchange and research collaboration.
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