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STAFF REPORTER
According to Prof Francis Petersen, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Free State, many South African universities are making the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Instead of profiling their intellectual breakthroughs and recent innovations, Prof Petersen said stories of intimidation, nepotism, financial maladministration, fractious governance, and even worse – assassination attempts and actual murders – dominate the media.
Not surprisingly, he argues, that there is a prevailing perception of universities ‘becoming a law unto themselves’, which is beginning to take hold in the public imagination.
“And that often, the reason for universities not being held to the same standards of public scrutiny is that universities hide behind academic freedom and institutional autonomy.”
But not so, says Prof Petersen, insisting that academic freedom and institutional autonomy are there to promote the well-being of society as a whole and are not to be used as a shield to cover up unethical behaviour.
He said that around the world, universities are regarded as important institutions for the development of individuals, societies, and economies.
Academic freedom is one of the key characteristics that set them apart, constituting a vital prerequisite for fulfilling their society-focused role.
This refers to the space provided to academics and researchers to explore new ideas, engage in rigorous research, share their findings, and express fact- and evidence-based opinions without fear of censorship or reprisal.
Another cornerstone of a university’s role and function – one that goes together with academic freedom – is institutional autonomy which grants universities the authority to govern themselves. This occurs through their leadership structures, usually in the form of councils and senates made up of democratically elected members of staff, alums, members of the student representative council, and other stakeholders.
The concept of institutional autonomy also allows universities to define their own academic programmes, curricula, and admission criteria.
Although universities can heed the advice of the government, the private sector, and industry when making their educational decisions, this advice should never be seen as taking instruction. Its autonomy allows individual universities to develop their own unique institutional culture based on the values it subscribes to, underpinned by excellence, inclusivity, fairness, and integrity.
“If we do not uphold the strictest standards of ethical conduct, specifically in university leaderships, we erode the very fabric of our being and cast doubt on our right of existence. Universities should be microcosms of an ideal society, embracing values such as diversity, equity, fairness, and social justice,” Petersen said.
“Academic freedom and institutional autonomy remain important cornerstones of universities’ identity and are vital for their effective operation. But it is important to note that they are counter-balanced by an equally rigorous emphasis on accountability – enabling universities to fulfil their important role of impactfully supporting societal development. They must be the antithesis of corruption, exposing unethical behaviour and strengthening democracy, the pursuit of social justice, and commitment to academic excellence for the public good of all of society.”
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