Türkçe MyKHAS

Academic Freedom Policy

The Place Where Wisdom Wanders Freely: University

Today, rapid change in all areas of society also requires questioning and transforming the conventional definitions of higher education. As access to information is becoming easier every day, social needs are constantly transforming and we cannot even predict which professions will exist in the near future. Thereby universities have to not only keep up with this rapid change with scientific research, education and community service activities, but also to lead it. Achieving this is only possible by ensuring that universities are independent of all economic and political powers, and protecting them as a place where wisdom wanders freely and ideas clash with each other.

Academic Freedom

At Kadir Has University, we unquestionably accept and undertake our firm commitment to our principles of academic freedom and merit together with our students, academic and administrative staff in all areas of scientific research, education and community service activities. Home to scientific development and critical thinking, contemporary universities share founding missions: the combination of research and education, freedom of education and autonomy of academia. These missions also form the basis of our university’s understanding of academic freedom.

According to this understanding, academic freedom is the cornerstone of a university where:

  • all students, faculty members and stakeholders have the right to freely determine, conduct, express and share their research subjects and methods with society without any political, commercial, religious motive or without depending on the conditioning of any dogma,
  • all members of the university are considered to have equal rights,
  • students are actively participating in the design of their educational methods and activities, and academic staff transparently approach the questions, comments and suggestions of all students without any hierarchy, and they are excited about their potential academic contributions,
  • access to information and science is open to everyone to ensure development via interpersonal communication,
  • decisions are taken by elected boards and administrators in democratic methods,
  • and there are no barriers to scientific doubt.

As an institution that has maintained these values since its foundation and has strictly adhered to the ideals of academic freedom and scientific autonomy in research and educational activities, we firmly believe in unconditional freedom of thought, and uphold the principle that scientific production can only be evaluated according to its own rules, and that science has no purpose other than to seek the truth.

No to Discrimination!

“We are different, yet equal!” – Kadir Has University rejects all forms of direct and indirect discrimination based on language, religion, race, color, age, citizenship status, ethnic origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, social status, educational background, and political opinion. Science can only flourish in an environment free from discrimination, and our University is fully aware that maintaining its distinguished position as a higher education institution depends on ensuring a pluralistic, fair, and open-minded environment where everyone is equal in their differences.

At our University, any act of discrimination or any harassment, intimidation, or bullying based on discrimination — particularly those related to the statuses mentioned above and protected by law and universal principles — is considered unacceptable and intolerable. We announce this with respect to all our stakeholders, including our students, prospective students, staff members, third parties providing services to our University, and visitors.

In this regard, we are fully committed to complying with all legal regulations and to making our utmost effort to provide an academic and social environment for all stakeholders that is free from discrimination, based on equality, respectful of differences, and inclusive.

If you believe you have experienced discrimination at our University, we are here to listen! Please share your thoughts, requests, or complaints with the University’s Equality Commission at [email protected] 

For the definitions, sanctions, and related regulations, please refer to the Policy on the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination: Policy Against Harassment and Discrimination

Policy Against Harassment and Discrimination

At Kadir Has University, people work together in harmony regardless of their differences in race, language, gender, sexual orientation, religious practices, skin color, nationality, belief, disability, age, and opinion. At the university, any form of discrimination or harassment by a worker, administrator, consultant, guest, student, visitor, or goods and service provider, including those outside the university, will not be tolerated.

Employees and students have to respect individuals’ rights and differences, following their rights and obligations arising from the law during their activities. All kinds of behavior constituting or supporting discrimination, either directly or indirectly, are prohibited. Prohibited behaviors are:

  • Unwanted verbal, physical or sexual approaches, inappropriate physical contact, propositions or touching,
  • Threats or intimations that an employee or student’s employment, advancement, wages, grades, or other activities may be negatively affected if they do not submit to sexual advances or harassment,
  • All kinds of degrading comments regarding a person’s opinions, body, appearance, or lifestyle-related to that person’s race, sex, philosophical or political ideas, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected category of that person,
  • The display of obscene or discriminatory (in terms of race, sex, citizenship, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected category) via graphics, caricatures, paintings, or photographs. It does not include those for educational purposes,
  • Comments, obscene stories, and suggestive verbal expressions concerning someone’s race, sex, citizenship, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected category,
  • Regardless of the department, any relationship of a physical or emotional nature which arises between any faculty member and a student or a supervisor and an employee at the university that could lead to any favoritism and is not open to comment by others,
  • Verbal attacks,
  • Mobbing: Mobbing is a particular type of bullying behavior carried out by a group rather than an individual. Mobbing is a person’s bullying or social isolation through collective unjustified accusations, humiliation, general harassment, or emotional abuse.

Retaliation

No employee, applicant for employment, student, or member of the public shall be subject to restraints, interference, coercion, or reprisal for action taken in good faith to seek advice concerning a sexual harassment matter, to file a sexual harassment grievance, or to serve as a witness or a panel member in the investigation of a sexual harassment grievance. Acts of retaliation violate this policy and will be investigated and adjudicated accordingly.

Malicious and False Accusations

A grievant whose allegations are found to be both false and brought with malicious intent will be subject to disciplinary action by law number 2547, the Higher Education Disciplinary Regulation concerning Administrators, Instructors, and Staff, and the Higher Education Regulation Disciplinary regarding Students.

No to Sexual Harrassment!

“We stand by you and are ready to listen to you!” – Our University prohibits all acts and behaviors involving gender-based violence and discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual assault or stalking in a manner that disturbs any member of our University and physical or verbal violence. Kadir Has University’s management knows that any such behaviors and actions that are not consensual may adversely affect the person physically and/or psychologically, and explicitly announces that such actions will not be tolerated under any circumstances within the University, disciplinary and criminal investigations will be carried out against those who commit such acts, the University will give all kinds of support to the victims of such behaviors and actions, and they will enforce all internationally accepted principles and regulations against such actions.

We respectfully announce to all our stakeholders, including our students, prospective students, employees, third parties from whom we receive services, and visitors that all violent and discriminatory acts and behaviors based on sexual harassment and sexual assault may constitute a crime, and that such actions are disruptive to the academic and social environment of our University, in addition to the physical and/or psychological effects on victims.

We are ready to listen and assist all members of our University who feel that they are victims of this type of action or behavior. No matter who performs such an action or behavior, we undertake that we are ready to listen to you, provide all kinds of support, including psychological support, and protect your personal data and identity, away from all kinds of hierarchical, social and material pressures within the corporate structure. 

If you believe that you have been sexually harassed, sexually assaulted or subjected to gender-based violence and discrimination including the acts of stalking, following and domestic violence by any member of our University, contact us immediately!

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Prevention Unit (CİTÖB)

[email protected]

Even if it is based on mutual consent, our University does not approve of any close relationship that members from different hierarchical levels (students, faculty members, employees, etc.) may develop due to concerns that such a relationship may lead to possible ethical conflicts of interest and hierarchical relationship abuse. In all circumstances, such relationships must be reported to the unit supervisors, even if they are consensual.

Regarding the definitions and sanctions of such actions and the legislation of our University, see:

  • Kadir Has University Regulation Governing the Department for The Prevention of Gender Based Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault
  • Policy Document to Prevent Gender Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault

Academic Honesty and Ethics

“The first key to our success is our honesty towards ourselves and society.” – Kadir Has University community recognizes that academic honesty is the absolute requirement of academic studies, research, education and training activities and undertakes that they will carry out all academic studies, research and education and training activities under the roof of our University always in accordance with all academic integrity rules/principles.

At Kadir Has University, we know that academic honesty is a must to ensure an egalitarian, libertarian, scientific doubt-based, open-minded and merit-based research and education environment. We firmly believe that a university culture shaped by academic cooperation and fair scientific competition is the basis for success in education and training, research, academic study and university management. We also believe that such a university culture is important in preventing actions that are not academically honest.

Therefore, we accept and declare that we adopt a zero-tolerance policy against any unethical act violating academic honesty such as copying, plagiarism, the presentation and acceptance of third-party-generated assignments, projects, etc., academic labor exploitation based on hierarchical position or any interest or punishment, distortion of research data, fabrication, academic sabotage and actions and behaviors contrary to all scientific ethical rules. In case any such action or behavior requires disciplinary proceeding, legal punishment and sanction, we undertake and declare that we will take all necessary legal steps and we will not accept such action or behavior under any circumstances, even if there are no clear legal sanctions. 

All our students and prospective students, all academic and administrative members are expected to comply with internationally accepted academic honesty rules in education and training activities and throughout the process that includes determining the subject in academic research, collecting and evaluating research data and writing a dissertation. In case they have any doubt about the conformation of their studies to the abovementioned rules, they are expected to request support and assistance from the relevant units without exception.

If you need information about academic honesty or ethical rules, or if you are in doubt and need support, please contact us (Academic Ethics Commission: [email protected]). We would be more than glad to help you.

For detailed information on our academic honesty and ethical rules and the regulation of our University, see: