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This policy sets out the conditions that permit faculty members to engage in their scholarly pursuits of teaching, research, and related activities free from interference or obstruction.

Purpose

To provide a clear statement of the position of the University with regard to Academic Freedom

Definitions

Academic freedom: refers to the environment provided by the University that permits faculty members to engage in their activities of teaching, research, and community services.

Academic responsibility: refers to the duty and obligation of all faculty to pursue their activities with honesty, integrity and to the best of their capacity.

Scope/Application

The Policy for Academic Freedom applies to:

  1. All faculty members with teaching, research, or librarianship responsibilities, including visiting, adjunct, and part-time faculty.
  2. Academic freedom, as well as academic responsibility, extends to all aspects of a faculty member’s professional conduct.

Policy Statement and Principles

  1. The University is committed to guaranteeing to faculty the right to express themselves when engaging in teaching, research and community services.
  2. The University’s Academic Freedom Policy is designed to provide a clear statement of the position of the University with regard to Academic Freedom. The University embraces the freedoms of study, inquiry, and debate while protecting and respecting the rights of others and the culture and law of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
  3. The Policy for Academic Freedom is supported by the following principles:
    • Teachers have full freedom to discuss in a classroom any material or ideas relevant to the course, subject to adequate fulfilment of other academic duties.
    • Librarians are free to select and make available any materials supporting the teaching, research, and general learning functions of the academic community.
    • Researchers have full freedom of conducting research, subject to adequate fulfilment of other academic duties. No limitation shall be placed upon the subject matter of the research, its publication and dissemination, or the dissemination of it outside the university.
    • Academic freedom must be accompanied by good judgment so that faculty avoid making statements which might be deemed offensive or irresponsible either verbally or in writing.
    • When faculty speak or write as private citizens, they should be accurate, truthful, show respect for others, and make clear that they are not speaking for the University.
    • This policy does not override the University’s policies concerning academic ethics and misconduct.