Objective:

Academic freedom refers to the ambience, platforms or opportunities provided by the University allowing faculty members to engage in teaching, research, and related endeavors at higher educational institutions. Academic freedom encompasses the provisions necessary for the University to realize its mission towards instilling a habit of continual learning, encourage and support creative abilities and research temperament, establish and promote close interaction with industries and other utility sectors, keep abreast with state of the art technology and above all, inculcate a global perspective in attitude. Academic freedom permits its members to pursue their academic pursuits with diligence, with the understanding that all members of the University have the right to express their own point of view and to be audience to others views as well. The University is a place where all members can express themselves, while protecting and respecting the rights of others to learn, to do research, and to carry out necessary activities of the University without any interference or obstruction.

To whom the policy applies:

All staff members, faculty members, research scholars and students.

The policy:

a) Faculty and staff members

According to the policy of academic freedom:

• Faculty and staff members have the freedom to express their views on governance matters pertaining to their respective Schools, units, and libraries of the University.
• Faculty and staff members can express their views with respect to their professional responsibilities without institutional discipline or restraint. However, they should exercise professional responsibility during their period of service in the University. They are also expected to respect confidentiality and privacy rights of others.
• Faculty members can undergo research as per their choice and engage in collaborations as required within and outside the University.
• Faculty members can partner with industry for floating industry oriented courses and setting up centers of excellence, complying with the norms of the University.
• Faculty members can take part and impart quality education programs or lectures in their area of research through Faculty development Programs, Management Development Programs and Executive Development Programs in the University and outside as well. They are expected to keep the University informed in this regard.
• Faculty members can design their own class curriculum; take part in its revision and developing the course contents.
• Faculty members can attend seminars/ conferences and present/publish papers in their areas of research interest.
• Faculty members can provide free educational resources and lectures through designated portals. They are expected to keep the University informed in this regard.
• Faculty members can provide feedback for academic, research and curricular development at any point of time to the head of the course committee, program head or the Dean/Director of the School.

The University provides research freedom to senior as well as junior academician as per their choice and expertise. The University encourages the multidisciplinary research among various Schools. Any senior/junior academicians can carry out research works as per their wishes with collaborating with other institutions or industries.

In the University all the faculty members have freedom about their research activity. Through online platform such as Google scholar, Scopus and ORCID, it is visible publicly.

b) Students

According to the policy of academic freedom:

• Students can undergo research as per their choice and engage in collaborations as required within and outside the University. They are expected to keep the University informed in case of external collaborations.
• Students can take part in quality education program or lectures in the University and outside as well.
• Students can choose courses of their choice using the provisions for choice based credit system, open electives, audit courses, minors and honors, as applicable to their curriculum.
• Students can provide feedback for academic, research and curricular development.

Policies reviewed on Jan 31, 2023 & revised on March 23, 2022