A report by the geopolitical research firm Strategy Risks alleges that Missouri State University (MSU) has spent over two decades educating executives connected to China's military-industrial complex through its MBA and Executive MBA programs. The report states that more than 1,500 Chinese executives, government officials, and state-owned enterprise managers have participated in these programs since 2001, including individuals associated with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), which is designated by the U.S. Defense Department as a Chinese military company.
The report highlights a gap in U.S. oversight regarding academic ties between the U.S. and China, noting that congressional attention has primarily focused on specific areas such as STEM research theft and issues related to free speech. MSU has responded to the report by denying that taxpayer funds were used for the program, stating that students studied a conventional business curriculum without evidence of misconduct.
Additionally, the report claims that participants were largely selected through Chinese government agencies and state-owned enterprises rather than through MSU's standard admissions process. It also mentions that Chinese government documents described the partnership as a "China-U.S. state-to-state cooperation project."
The report raises concerns about national security risks and foreign influence in higher education, particularly in light of previous investigations into U.S. universities' partnerships with Chinese entities. Lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at limiting Chinese influence in U.S. academia, and there have been calls for stronger safeguards at research institutions following incidents involving Chinese nationals and sensitive materials.