Academic Freedom Policy

 

1-Purpose

Academic freedom is essential to achieve the mission of AASTMT. This policy ensures that Each faculty member in AASTMT is entitled to have full academic freedom in determining their research topics and in the truthful publication of the results of the research. Also, Each faculty member is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing subject matter relevant to the subject being taught without introducing any controversial matters that are not reasonably related to the subject being taught without violation of AASTMT’s rules and regulations.

2-Scope

This policy applied to Faculty Members and other decision-making bodies included in the academic governance.

3-Policy Statement

AASTMT has an ethical and legal duty to develop student’s understanding and learning through academic freedom.  Academic freedom is specifically the freedom of the faculty members, Research scholars, and students in the institution to embrace the freedom to speak, write, and express thoughts without unreasonable restriction. The academic staff and the students shall be judged through established criteria for their intellectual and professional input, not on personal beliefs, and political or religious views.

4-AASTMT Academic Freedom Principles

  • Ensuring that the academic staff and students have freedom within the law to hold and express opinions and ideas; develop and advance new concepts & proposals; and present a variety of points of view, without placing themselves at risk of losing their privileges or jobs.
  • Enabling academic teaching staff & faculty to fulfill their functions without discrimination or suppression of any kind.
  • Permitting the academic staff to manage their activities resourcefully, to teach without intrusion, subjected to accepted professional principles about standards and methods of teaching.
  • Maintaining an effective, harmless, and supportive learning environment and promoting an equitable & fair atmosphere in their relationships with students.
  • Maintaining academic standards and giving the academic staff the freedom to decide how to teach the courses which they are responsible for.

5-AASTMT Academic Freedom Responsibilities

5-1 Teaching and Research: The faculty members are under obligation to fulfill their teaching and research responsibilities. The faculty members must develop and improve their scholarly capability to adhere to voluntary self-discipline and judgment in transmitting knowledge. The Faculty Members are expected to ensure the delivery of the academic content of the course and promote fundamental values of the rule of law, human liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance for those with different faiths, beliefs, and opinions.

5-2 Students: The students are entitled to fair treatment in an environment of mutual respect within the teacher-student relationship. Faculty members are not allowed to refuse to teach any student on the grounds of the student's religion, color, and belief. The faculty members shall ensure that the assessments of students reflect their true performance.

Policy title:

Academic Freedom Policy

Date created:

2023

Approving body:

SDG workforce committee

Version:

2

Next review date:

 2025

Policy owner:

Faculty Affairs

Lead contact:

Dean of Faculty Affairs

Approval Signature:

Dr. Yasser Gaber

Dean of Scientific Research and Innovation