NSU ACADEMIC FREEDOM POLICY (SDG 15)
(Supporting Sustainable Development Goal 15 – Life on Land)
Executive Summary
This policy reaffirms Navoi State University’s (NSU) commitment to upholding academic freedom as a cornerstone of quality education, research innovation, and sustainable development. The policy ensures that faculty, researchers, and students can pursue, teach, publish, and disseminate knowledge freely within the framework of academic integrity and social responsibility. It contributes indirectly to SDG 15 by fostering an open intellectual environment that supports research on biodiversity, environmental protection, and sustainability.
Objective | Summary |
Purpose | To define principles and responsibilities ensuring protection of academic freedom and integrity at NSU. |
Scope | Applies to all faculty, researchers, and students engaged in teaching, research, and publication. |
Outcome | Creation of an environment that encourages independent thought, critical inquiry, and ethical research. |
1. Purpose and Scope
The NSU Academic Freedom Policy establishes the right and responsibility of academic staff and students to conduct teaching, research, and publication without interference or censorship, while respecting ethical standards and the rights of others.
Key purposes include:
Protecting intellectual independence and diversity of perspectives.
Encouraging open dialogue and debate on scientific and social issues.
Promoting responsible research practices consistent with sustainability values.
Ensuring that academic work contributes to the public good and SDG 15 objectives.
2. Core Principles
Principle | Description |
Freedom of Research | Researchers have the right to choose topics, methods, and partners freely. |
Freedom of Teaching | Educators can present and discuss knowledge honestly within academic norms. |
Freedom of Expression | Faculty and students can express academic opinions without fear of reprisal. |
Academic Integrity | Freedom must be balanced by honesty, accuracy, and respect for evidence. |
Social Responsibility | Academic work should contribute to sustainable and ethical development. |
3. Implementation Framework
Area | Action | Responsible Unit |
Research Governance | Adopt transparent ethics approval processes. | Research Ethics Committee |
Teaching | Encourage academic freedom in curriculum design. | Academic Affairs Department |
Publication | Ensure open access and freedom from censorship. | Scientific Council |
Training | Conduct workshops on academic rights and ethics. | Human Resources Department |
4. Monitoring, Evaluation and KPIs
Indicator | Baseline | Target | Frequency |
Number of research projects reviewed by ethics committee | 2024 baseline | Increase by 20% by 2030 | Annual |
Academic freedom complaints resolved | Baseline 2024 | 100% resolution within 3 months | Quarterly |
Faculty satisfaction rate on academic freedom | 70% | 90% by 2030 | Biennial |
5. Financial and Institutional Support
Source | Purpose | Example |
NSU Research Fund | Support independent and sustainable research. | Biodiversity and environmental projects. |
External Grants | Encourage academic collaboration. | THE, QS, Erasmus+, UNESCO projects. |
Institutional Budget | Ensure fair allocation of academic resources. | Support open-access publishing and conferences. |
6. Rights and Responsibilities
Category | Rights and Responsibilities |
Faculty Members | Right to teach and research freely; duty to ensure accuracy and fairness. |
Students | Right to learn in an environment of open inquiry; duty to respect others’ ideas. |
University | Obligation to protect freedom and promote ethical scholarship. |
7. Governance and Oversight
Unit | Role | Reporting To |
Academic Council | Ensure academic freedom in policy and decision-making. | Rector |
Ethics Committee | Oversee cases involving academic misconduct or restrictions. | Rector |
Faculty Deans | Promote adherence to policy within departments. | Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs |
8. Review and References
This policy shall be reviewed every three years by the Academic Council in consultation with the Ethics Committee and relevant academic departments to ensure continued protection of freedom of thought and academic independence.
References:
UN SDG 15 – Life on Land.
Law on Higher Education (Republic of Uzbekistan, 2020).
NSU Charter and Academic Regulations (2024).
• QS and THE Academic Freedom Guidelines (2025).
Navoi State University • Green Campus Initiative • Contact: sustainability@nsuni.uz