Ohio State University Delayed Disclosure of Professor’s China Program Involvement to Federal Agencies
Ohio State University learned in September 2019 that professor C.K. Shum was involved in China's Thousand Talents Program, but the university did not disclose this information to NASA and the National Science Foundation until 2023.
Cleveland Akron, OH, September 12, 2026 —
Ohio State University (OSU) delayed informing federal agencies about a professor’s participation in a Chinese government talent recruitment program, according to information obtained. The university learned in September 2019 that Professor C.K. Shum was involved in China’s Thousand Talents Program. However, this information was not shared with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) until 2023.
The Thousand Talents Program is one of several initiatives launched by the Chinese government to recruit scientists and academics, often from overseas, to advance China’s technological and scientific capabilities. Concerns have been raised by U.S. officials regarding potential risks associated with such programs, including intellectual property theft and the transfer of sensitive research.
The specific nature of Professor Shum’s involvement, the duration, and the terms of his participation in the program were not detailed in the provided summary. Additionally, the summary does not specify the projects or funding streams involving NASA and the NSF that Professor Shum was associated with, nor does it state the exact date in 2023 when the disclosure was made. The reasons for the four-year delay in reporting this information to the federal agencies were also not provided.
Ohio State University has been navigating increased scrutiny regarding international research collaborations and disclosures required by U.S. federal agencies. Institutions are under pressure to ensure compliance with federal regulations concerning foreign influence and the protection of federally funded research. The university’s internal procedures for identifying and reporting such involvements are subject to ongoing review by both internal and external bodies. The consequences, if any, of the delayed disclosure for Professor Shum or Ohio State University were not specified.
Story summarized from the original created by Michael Johnson, Cleveland.com Express Desk on www.cleveland.com, see more information here.
