Toggle navigation
Main content start

Academic Freedom

  1. Home
  2. Teaching & Learning
  3. Learners Support
  4. Learners' Information
  5. Class ScheduleMedium of InstructionAdverse Weather ArrangementsCivility in the ClassroomClassroom ConductDiscretion and DisciplineRequests for Checking of Examination ResultsTranscriptsReplacement of award certificatesTurnitin@HKU SPACEChange of Personal Information FeedbackResearch Ethics CommitteeEqual OpportunityStudent Surveys

As part of the University of Hong Kong, the School follows University Policies on Academic Freedom.

A working definition of academic freedom in the form of an institutional declaration is as follows:


1. “Academic freedom refers to the freedom of academic institutions, structures and individuals to study, teach, research and publish without being subject to undue interference, free of any authority or standard other than the rational methods by which truth is established. The notion of academic freedom reflects the belief that it enhances the pursuit, transmission and application of knowledge, and as such may be supported by society through the funding of academics and their institutions. Academic freedom embodies an acceptance of the need to encourage openness and flexibility in academic work, and of the accountability of academics to each other and to the norms of cooperative pursuit of knowledge.”


2. A list of specific academic freedoms enjoyed by the University and its members with corresponding responsibilities can be found at https://www.hku.hk/about/policies_reports/acad_freedom/acad.html .


3. There should be a proper mechanism to deal with complaints on infringement of academic freedom.