The Corruption Investigation proposes that the provision of information from universities and higher education institutions to the Swedish Migration Board should be increased. The investigation proposes that higher education institutions, like several other authorities, should be subject to a new general data obligation. This would include, among other things, information from the study register in the form of study results and degrees.
–This is the wrong way to go. The task of universities and colleges is to educate, conduct research and disseminate knowledge. The academy should not be a tool for state surveillance, says Elsa Berlin, vice president of the Swedish National Union of Students.
Universities and colleges have previously had an obligation to provide certain relevant information to the Swedish Migration Board, for example if a student has not started their education or discontinues their studies prematurely. The general information obligation now proposed means that the Swedish Migration Board can request several other pieces of information.
–Sweden needs to get better at recruiting international students, otherwise the universities will not be able to fill all the training places needed to meet the skills supply. Making students who have come here suspicious and increasing control sends completely the wrong signals.
The investigation also proposes that failure to comply with regulations should be the basis for denial or revocation of a residence permit. This could mean that decisions by the university's disciplinary committee could be included in the assessment of lack of good conduct. Given the vague definition of the concept of good conduct, SFS believes that the proposal risks legal certainty for the international students affected.