Is American research safe? Why US officials are zeroing in on the University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is facing a federal investigation by the US Department of Education following the arrests of two Chinese scientists linked to its research facilities.
The inquiry centers on the university's handling of foreign funding and potential risks to national security, particularly concerning collaborations with Chinese institutions.
The investigation was announced after federal authorities charged two individuals in separate incidents involving the smuggling of biological materials into the US. Both scientists were associated with the University of Michigan and were apprehended within days of each other.
Federal probe linked to national security concerns
The Department of Education cited "highly disturbing criminal charges" as the basis for the investigation. According to documents obtained by the
Associated Press
, the department expressed concern that the university's research labs remain "vulnerable to sabotage." Paul Moore, the department's chief investigative counsel, stated, as reported by the
Associated Press
, that "despite the University of Michigan's history of downplaying its vulnerabilities to malign foreign influence, recent reports reveal that UM's research laboratories remain vulnerable."
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
The Most Successful Way of Intraday Trading is "Market Profile"
TradeWise
Learn More
Undo
The university is now required to submit financial records and detailed information on research collaborations with institutions outside the US. Officials accuse the university of being "incomplete, inaccurate and untimely" in its disclosures about foreign funding, according to the
Associated Press.
Criminal cases prompt action from US authorities
The first arrest involved a Chinese scientist and his girlfriend, who were working at a University of Michigan laboratory.
According to the FBI, the pair attempted to smuggle a toxic fungus into the US, but the effort was intercepted. Days later, another Chinese scientist was arrested upon arrival in the US. He is accused of shipping biological material to a lab at the university.
In response, the university announced a review of its research security protocols in June. However, the Education Department, in a formal letter, raised concerns that some officials at the university had previously downplayed potential risks associated with Chinese research partnerships.
Focus on foreign funding and transparency
US law requires all universities to report foreign gifts and contracts that total $250,000 or more. While the law had seen little enforcement for years, the Trump administration renewed efforts to investigate underreporting. The Education Department has opened similar investigations into Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of California, Berkeley.
The Department's letter singled out Ann Chih Lin, director of the university's Center for Chinese Studies, for allegedly minimizing the national security threat. Officials wrote that "Lin's apparent indifference to the national security concerns of the largest single source of funding for UM's annual research expenditures — the American taxpayer — is particularly unsettling," as quoted by the
Associated Press
.
University response and broader context
University spokesperson Colleen Mastony stated the institution "will cooperate with federal investigators and takes its responsibility to comply with the law extremely seriously," as reported by the
Associated Press
. She added, "We strongly condemn any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security or undermine the university's critical public mission."
The University of Michigan ended its partnership with a university in Shanghai in January, following pressure from House Republicans. The decision aligned with broader congressional efforts urging US universities to sever ties with Chinese institutions deemed security risks.
According to the
Associated Press
, more than 270,000 Chinese international students were enrolled in US institutions during the 2023–24 academic year, accounting for approximately one-fourth of all foreign students.
TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us
here
.
Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Police will act against violators: Calcutta HC on July 28 rally of school job candidates
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Friday said that as the police have refused permission for the rally by school job candidates to state secretariat Nabanna in Howrah on July 28, it would take steps against anyone violating its order. The HC gave the direction while hearing a petition by a shop owner who submitted that his business was being hampered because of repeated processions, rallies and protests being taken out through Nityadhan Mukherjee Road in Howrah. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Management Operations Management MBA Design Thinking Product Management others Leadership healthcare Degree Data Science Public Policy Others MCA Digital Marketing Data Analytics Finance CXO Artificial Intelligence Technology Cybersecurity Project Management Healthcare PGDM Data Science Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK GMPBE India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK General Management Programme India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta CERT-IIMC APSPM India Starts on undefined Get Details "Since the police authorities have refused permission to the organisation on July 28, in case there is any assembly of persons which disturbs the business of the present petitioner and/or other affected persons who intend to carry out their trade/profession or day-to-day work, police authorities would take steps against the violators in accordance with law," Justice Tirthankar Ghosh directed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 25 Best City Breaks in the World Undo Advocate General Kishore Dutta, appearing for the state government , stated that permission for the rally was refused by the police, assigning cogent reasons. The rally has been called by a section of those who lost their jobs following a Supreme Court order in April. The SC had cancelled the appointments of nearly 26,000 teaching and non-teaching staff in state-backed schools. Live Events The members of the organisation, who called the rally, claimed that they got their jobs through the proper means and were not part of any illegalities.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Ghislaine Maxwell asked 'everything' about Epstein case in second day of DOJ questioning
Maxwell's lawyer, David Markus, say there were 'no offers' of clemency made to Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence on sex trafficking charges read more The US Justice Department's deputy chief conducted a second day of questioning Friday with Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned accomplice of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, whose infamous case has dragged President Donald Trump into a political firestorm. Todd Blanche, who is also Trump's former personal attorney, has so far declined to say what he discussed with Maxwell in the highly unusual meetings between a convicted felon and a top DOJ lawyer, David Markus, said Friday afternoon that she was asked about 'everything' and 'answered every single question' during the second day of questioning at a courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida. 'They asked about every single, every possible thing you could imagine,' Markus told reporters outside the courtroom, without elaborating. But he did say there were 'no offers' of clemency made to Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence on sex trafficking charges. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump is looking to move past the Epstein scandal, which has seen him on rare unsure footing over claims his administration mishandled a review of the notorious case. On Friday, Trump again sought to put distance between himself and Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. 'I have nothing to do with the guy,' Trump, whose past friendship with Epstein has received much media attention this week, told reporters ahead of a visit to Scotland. 'Never briefed' Trump urged journalists to 'focus' instead on Democratic Party figures like former president Bill Clinton and his treasury secretary, former Harvard president Larry Summers, whom the Republican claimed were 'really close friends' of Epstein. Asked whether he was considering a pardon or commutation of Maxwell's 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking, Trump said it was something 'I haven't thought about' – but stressed he had the power to do so. He also denied multiple US media reports that he was briefed in the spring by Attorney General Pam Bondi that his name appeared multiple times in the so-called 'Epstein Files.' 'No, I was never – never briefed, no,' Trump said. Multi-millionaire Epstein was accused of procuring underage girls for sex with his circle of wealthy, high-profile associates when he died by suicide in a New York jail cell. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His death fueled conspiracy theories that he was murdered to stop him testifying against prominent accomplices. Trump, who had promised his supporters revelations about the case, infuriated some after his administration announced in early July that it had not discovered any new elements warranting the release of additional documents. The Department of Justice and the FBI said there was no proof that there was a 'list' of Epstein's clients, while affirming he died by suicide. 'Scapegoat'? Ahead of the second round of questioning, Markus told reporters 'Ghislaine has been treated unfairly for over five years now' and described her as a 'scapegoat.' 'Everything she says can be corroborated and she's telling the truth. She's got no reason to lie at this point and she's going to keep telling the truth,' he added. Maxwell, the only former Epstein associate who has been convicted, was jailed in 2022 for grooming underage girls between 1994 and 2004 so that Epstein could sexually exploit them. Her lawyer said she still intended to appeal her conviction in the Supreme Court. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Trump's name was among hundreds found during a DOJ review of Epstein's case files, though there has not been evidence of wrongdoing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump filed a $10 billion defamation suit against the Journal last week after it reported that he had penned a sexually suggestive letter to Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson cut short the legislative session this week, sending lawmakers home on summer recess a day early to avoid potentially combustible debate – particularly among Trump's Republicans – on the release of files.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
7 kids die, 21 injured as classroom roof collapses in Jhalawar village
Kota/Jaipur: Seven children were killed and at least 21 injured when a classroom ceiling collapsed on them at Piplodi Govt Upper Primary School in Jhalawar district Friday morning, moments after a teacher who had been alerted to "falling brick pieces" allegedly asked them to "sit quietly". Ten of the injured students were hospitalised in a critical condition, officials said. Principal Meena Garg and four teachers were suspended for alleged negligence pending a high-level inquiry, while state school education minister Madan Dilawar owned moral responsibility for the 7.40am tragedy. "I won't engage in a blame game. Being the education minister, I am responsible for this…We will conduct a fair investigation and strict action will be taken against those found guilty. We allocated funds for the maintenance of 2,000 dilapidated govt schools in phases," Dilawar said. Late night, minister Dilawar announced that families of the deceased children will be given Rs 10 lakh each and one family member each will be given a contractual govt job. He also announced that classrooms in the new school building that would be built at the same place will be named after the deceased children. Outrage over the ceiling collapse triggered violence in Jhalawar in the evening, prompting police to baton charge groups of protesters blocking roads and pelting them with stones at Guradi Circle and outside SRG Hospital. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The victims, between 10 and 15, were among 31 students of different classes inside the classroom when cracks in the ceiling suspected to have been caused by rainwater seepage purportedly opened up before their eyes. "We told sir that pieces of the ceiling were falling on us but he ignored it," said a teary-eyed girl. Within seconds, screams of children drowned in the ominous noise of brick and mortar coming down in a heap. Villagers who had sprinted towards the school compound on seeing clouds of dust spiralling into the air were the first rescuers, sources said. Witnesses said parents frantically searched for their children in the mounds of debris. "At least 13 kids were pulled out within 20 minutes of the ceiling collapse," said village sarpanch Ram Prasad Lodha, who drove his payloader to the site to assist in the rescue. Lodha alleged that an ambulance reached the village 45 minutes after being informed of the accident. Most of the injured students were taken to hospital on motorcycles, he said. While the education minister's office said 21 students were injured, Jhalawar district education officer Narso Meena's official report mentions injuries to 24 people. Preliminary reports suggested the students had been made to wait in their classrooms instead of going to the ground for morning prayers, as usual, because it was raining at the time. The classroom's rear wall collapsed first, causing the stone-slab roof to fall on the students. The classroom whose ceiling collapsed was one of two built in 1994 with funds from the gram panchayat. "Funds were released recently for repairs. We aren't sure if the rooms built by the gram panchayat were renovated or not," said an official. Collector Ajay Singh Rathore said the district administration recently instructed the education department to draw up a list of dilapidated school buildings. Piplodi Govt Upper Primary School, whose building is three decades old, didn't figure in that list, he said. Education secretary Krishna Kunal said the school's roof had been repaired in 2023. "If a little caution were exercised, such a tragedy wouldn't have occurred. We are appealing not only to teachers but also to parents and village representatives that children should not be sent to schools with dilapidated rooms." The district administration has already razed other rundown portions of the school to avoid another potential disaster during the monsoon. Jhalawar adjoins Kota district, which school education minister Dilawar represents in the assembly. Congress demanded Dilawar's resignation, saying the tragedy occurred in the minister's backyard and on his watch. People took to social media to question the accountability of ex-CM Vasundhara Raje and her parliamentarian son Dushyant Singh also, as the family has been representing Jhalawar for nearly four decades.
