Sweden's interests must be protected when research and innovation are internationalized

International collaboration should be characterized by openness, while there is a need to protect national and academic values, knowledge and technology. This can sometimes make it difficult to weigh up and make decisions. To facilitate this, the University and College Council (UHR), the Swedish Research Council and Vinnova now propose that Sweden establish a national support function to promote responsible internationalisation in higher education, research and innovation. A support function can create good conditions for safely utilizing research results in the public sector as well as in business, and contribute to Swedish competitiveness and resilience.

Build competence among all actors

- It is important to protect the value of international collaborations. Everyone in the value chain – from research and innovation to commercialization – needs to have awareness, competence and capacity around research security and responsible internationalisation, says Darja Isaksson, Vinnova's director general.

The guiding national guidelines and other support must be made available to address the needs of all actors in the research and innovation system. It includes universities, authorities and research institutes as well as start-ups, small and medium-sized companies, incubators, science parks and larger companies.

- Actors outside academia, not least in business and the public sector, have both needs and competence in internationalisation which is important for the research and innovation system, says Darja Isaksson.