Academic Freedom at Applied Science University (Bahrain)

Applied Science University (ASU) in Bahrain demonstrates a clear commitment to academic freedom through its official policies and the scholarly activities of its faculty. This report examines ASU’s policies that uphold freedom of inquiry and expression, provides examples of faculty engaging in open teaching and research, and outlines relevant national laws that protect academic freedom in Bahrain. These elements underscore ASU’s support for academic freedom, aligning with the values of SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

University Policies Guaranteeing Academic Freedom

– Official Bylaws and Statements

ASU’s foundational governance documents explicitly protect academic freedom for faculty and researchers. The university’s Basic Bylaws guarantee academic freedom, and the Academic Staff Bylaw reinforces this by affirming that each academic staff member “shall be granted the freedom of thought, expression, publication and expressing his or her opinion with respect to teaching, academic research and other university activities within the limits of the existing laws” [1]. This means faculty have the right to choose research topics, publish results, and teach according to their expertise, so long as they respect the law and university values. Such provisions in ASU’s bylaws codify freedom of inquiry and scholarly expression as institutional policy.

– Alignment with University Values

Academic freedom is also reflected in ASU’s stated values. The university emphasizes “Academic freedom and independence” among its core principles [2]. This commitment is integrated into ASU’s culture of quality and ethics. For example, the Research Handbook and Ethics Policy and the Staff Code of Conduct (as noted in an external quality review) highlight integrity and vigilance against academic fraud, implying that honesty in scholarship is expected in an environment where ideas can be freely explored [1]. In sum, ASU’s official policies – from high-level bylaws to internal guidelines – confirm that the institution supports freedom of inquiry, open discussion, and the autonomy of scholars in teaching and research.

Evidence of Academic Freedom in Action at ASU

ASU faculty actively exercise their freedom to research, teach, and share knowledge both within the university and publicly. The following examples illustrate how ASU’s academic community engages in independent and interdisciplinary scholarship:

Faculty at ASU’s College of Law conducting a public academic seminar on Bahraini women’s legal rights. In February 2025, the College of Law celebrated Bahraini Women’s Day by organizing an academic seminar on women’s role in national development [3]. During this event, Dr. Ayman Hammouri (Assistant Professor of Law) presented on the political rights of Bahraini women, and an external legal expert discussed women’s rights in pension and social insurance laws [3]. The seminar, moderated by Professor Murad Al-Janabi, concluded with an open discussion that saw active participation from the audience [3]. This example shows ASU faculty freely engaging in scholarly discourse on social and legal issues in a public forum, demonstrating the university’s support for open debate and community engagement on potentially sensitive topics (e.g. gender rights).

ASU’s College of Arts and Science hosting a series of public lectures by experts on global issues and innovation. Similarly, the College of Arts and Science regularly hosts public lectures and workshops featuring both ASU academics and outside experts. In December 2024, the Department of Design and Arts organized a series of lectures on interdisciplinary topics: Dr. Albert Fakhouri (President of an international accreditation council) delivered a lecture on the relationship between academic disciplines and the UN Sustainable Development Goals [3], a renowned designer from Italy spoke about innovative lighting design solutions blending art and technology [4], and ASU Professor Khalil Al-Qahiri gave a talk on entrepreneurship challenges for designers [4]. These events were open to students and staff, fostering an environment where ideas from architecture, design, business, and technology intersect freely. The breadth of topics – from sustainable development to creative industries – highlights that ASU encourages exploration of independent and globally relevant themes beyond any one narrow curriculum.

– Research Seminars and Conferences

ASU’s Deanship of Research facilitates frequent seminars and international conferences, indicating robust freedom in research activities. The university hosts a “Local Seminars Series” where faculty present research methodologies, discuss new research areas, and share results with colleagues. For instance, ASU organized the 2022 International Conference in Emerging Technologies for Sustainability and Intelligent Systems (ICETSIS), which attracted 73 research papers from 24 countries and included participants from outside ASU [5]. Similarly, ASU convened a Student Scientific Conference in 2022 on innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving students and staff a platform to openly discuss creative solutions to real-world problems [5]. These events show that ASU faculty and students are free to pursue diverse research interests – from engineering and IT to social sciences – and to collaborate and publish on an international stage. The absence of restrictive topics and the involvement of external experts demonstrate an open academic atmosphere.

– Publications and Independent Research

ASU scholars regularly publish research on independent and interdisciplinary topics, sometimes addressing national issues. For example, a PhD researcher from ASU, Mr. Salem Alrowaili, authored a study on sustainable water resources in Bahrain, advocating for renewable energy in desalination plants [6]. This research, titled “Analytical Study to Achieve Water Resource Sustainability in Bahrain: Strategic Challenges and Opportunities,” was published in an international public policy journal, reflecting academic freedom to investigate issues of public importance. The fact that an ASU researcher could openly call for policy changes (like diversifying water resources and dynamic pricing) in a published paper shows institutional support for scholarly expression without censorship [6]. ASU’s own Journal of Applied Science University (JASU), a multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal, further provides a venue for faculty and students to publish research freely, indicating an infrastructure that supports open scholarly communication [7].

Through these examples – public lectures, seminars, conferences, and publications – ASU demonstrates that its faculty and researchers actively utilize their freedom to teach, speak, and publish on a wide range of subjects. Whether addressing social justice, sustainable development, technology, or legal reform, ASU academics are contributing knowledge publicly, in line with the university’s policies that protect their academic freedom.

National Protections for Academic Freedom in Bahrain

At the national level, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s legal framework provides for freedom of expression and academic inquiry, which underpins universities like ASU. Article 23 of the Bahraini Constitution (2002) explicitly guarantees “freedom of opinion and scientific research” for all citizens [8]. This constitutional article affirms that everyone has the right to express their opinion and publish it by word or writing, as long as they adhere to the law and do not infringe the fundamental beliefs of Islam or disturb public unity [8]. In effect, scholarly activities – including teaching and research – are protected as forms of expression. The constitution’s guarantee of scientific research freedom creates a supportive backdrop for academic institutions. ASU’s own academic freedom policy (noted above) operates “within the limits of the existing laws” [1], aligning with the constitutional provisions.

Moreover, Bahrain’s higher education regulations encourage institutions to uphold quality and autonomy in academics. There are no specific laws that curtail academic freedom in higher education; on the contrary, oversight bodies like the Higher Education Council (HEC) and the Education & Training Quality Authority (BQA) focus on quality assurance, leaving content choices to the institutions and scholars. According to independent observers, Bahrain has “no formal laws or regulations that limit academic freedom”, even if self-censorship may occur in practice [9]. The national commitment to free expression – balanced with respect for religious and cultural norms – provides a legal environment in which ASU faculty can choose research topics and openly share findings. Additionally, Bahrain’s support for international academic collaboration (e.g. ASU’s partnerships and joint programmes with foreign universities) reflects a policy climate that values openness in higher education.

In summary, Bahrain’s constitution and higher education governance recognize the importance of academic freedom. This national policy context reinforces ASU’s own academic freedom guarantees, ensuring that faculty and students can engage in scholarly inquiry and public discourse with legal protection. Freedom of thought and expression, as enshrined in law, is a cornerstone for institutions like ASU to contribute to peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16) through education and research.

Conclusion

Applied Science University in Bahrain clearly has policies and practices that support academic freedom. Its bylaws grant faculty the liberty to teach, research, and publish without undue restriction [1], and this is evidenced by numerous academic events and publications originating from ASU. Professors lecture on diverse and sometimes sensitive topics, from sustainable development to women’s rights, in public forums and classrooms, exemplifying freedom of inquiry in action. ASU’s vibrant schedule of research seminars and international conferences further indicates an environment where scholarly expression is encouraged and valued. These institutional commitments operate within, and are bolstered by, Bahrain’s constitutional protections for free expression and scientific research [8]. Overall, ASU’s alignment with academic freedom principles not only fulfills an essential criterion for quality education and SDG16, but also helps foster an open and innovative academic community in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

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