Legal restrictions in relation to dual use technology

The terms ‘dual use items’, ‘export’, ‘technical assistance’ are defined in the EU dual use regulation 2021/821, latest consolidated version).

‘dual-use items’ means “items, including software and technology, which can be used for both civil and military purposes, and includes items which can be used for the design, development, production or use of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons or their means of delivery, including all items which can be used for both non-explosive uses and assisting in any way in the manufacture of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices” (EU dual use regulation 2021/821, current consolidated version, art.2 (1)) . NB:  the term ‘dual use items’ refer not only to tangible items, but also to knowledge related to any of the technology, that is specified as such in the regulations.

‘Export’ includes “transmission of software or technology by electronic media, including by fax, telephone, electronic mail or any other electronic means to a destination outside the customs territory of the Union; it includes making available in an electronic form such software and technology to natural or legal persons or to partnerships outside the customs territory of the Union; it also includes the oral transmission of technology when the technology is described over a voice transmission medium” (EU dual use regulation 2021/821, current consolidated version, art.2 (2))

“‘Technical assistance’ means any technical support related to repairs, development, manufacture, assembly, testing, maintenance, or any other technical service, and may take forms such as instruction, advice, training, transmission of working knowledge or skills or consulting services, including by electronic means as well as by telephone or any other verbal forms of assistance” (EU dual use regulation 2021/821, current consolidated version, art. 2 (9)). 

The term ‘project’ refers in particular to internships and graduation assignments, but can also apply to other projects.

Students from Belarus, Iran, Myanmar and the Russian Federation are most welcome to study at the UT.

However, please note that a few restrictions may be in place when you apply for a technical study at the University of Twente and have one of these nationalities. The restrictions are in response to international sanctions in relation to dual use technology and other sanctioned technology domains. This could influence your learning path at UT. The restrictions apply to:

(a) participation in joint projects with third partners where NDAs or trade secrets are required by the partner; in combination with:

(b) the project involves the design, development, production or use of sanctioned technology, or:

(c) participation in projects with third partners when the third partner is:

• (c1) supplier of goods or technology to the military sector or defence industry, or
• (c2) a military education, training or research organisation, or
• (c3) a university/research organisation under the supervision of a military authority.

Students who studied earlier at one of the four sanctioned universities (Malek Ashtar University , Shahid Behesthi University, Sharif University of Technology) or at the Iran Composites Institute of the Iranian University of Science and technology are also welcome to study at UT.

However, please note that a few restrictions may be in place when you apply for a technical study at the University of Twente and have one of these nationalities. The restrictions are in response to international sanctions in relation to dual use technology and other sanctioned technology domains. This could influence your learning path at UT. The restrictions apply to:

(a) participation in joint projects with third partners where NDAs or trade secrets are required by the partner; in combination with:

(b) the project involves the design, development, production or use of sanctioned technology, or:

(c) participation in projects with third partners when the third partner is:

• (c1) supplier of goods or technology to the military sector or defence industry, or
• (c2) a military education, training or research organisation, or
• (c3) a university/research organisation under the supervision of a military authority.

Yes, students from Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, the Russian Federation are eligible to receive scholarships (as long as international financial sanctions do not prohibit this).

There are currently no sanctions in relation to dual use or other technological areas applying to China. Students from China are most welcome to study at UT.

Students from China are eligible to apply for a scholarship at the UT, although the general guidelines as mentioned below do apply.