The export of goods and services had always been subject to EU foreign trade and security policies, based on 2021/821 EU regulation. This regulation underscored the distinct challenges faced by academic and research institutions due to their commitment to the free exchange of ideas, involvement with cutting-edge technologies, and international collaborations. The COMMITTED project aimed to promote the secure sharing of innovative ideas by enhancing understanding of deemed export regulations among international business educators and SMEs. It sought to raise awareness of compliance issues to prevent misuse of knowledge and supported legal and safe international collaborationsTo achieve these objectives, the project created a manual and vocational training program to educate on deemed export compliance, sharing best practices from multinational businesses. The explanation of deemed export rules is a new activity of academia. By the development of this vocational training programme, specific professional skills have also been fostered: critical thinking related to compliance and conducting due diligence in handling public security issues. Both for academic workers and SMEs.
The knowledge produced by universities contributes to the economic growth, competitiveness, and welfare of the European Union by creating innovative solutions. This includes educating foreign nationals, collaborating in international research, and operating joint projects with companies. However, these innovations often involve sensitive data, making the protection of critical information and compliance with export control rules crucial for the EU's economic and security interests. Higher education institutions, involved in international business education and executive programs, must align with regulatory requirements, including foreign trade regulations. The presence of foreign students and scholars brings economic and scientific benefits but also poses security and legal risks. The project addressed the need that universities and their SME partners must understand "deemed export" rules, which govern the release of controlled technology or information. The COMMITTED consortium highlighted the urgent need for universities and SMEs involved in international business education to understand and adhere to export control regulations through educating HEI staff and cooperating SME’s on compliance with deemed export regulation.