Code Ethics and Core Values

Eskisehir Osmangazi University is based on the ethical values and their continuity in the overall function of the university in order to achieve and improve its mission.

 Academic Freedom and Autonomy

Academic freedom and academic autonomy are indispensable core values of the university.

Academic freedom refers to the freedom of teaching staff, individually or collectively, in seeking, investigating, discussing, producing, instructing, acquiring verbally or in written form, developing and communicating information

Academic freedom covers every member and academic activity within Eskisehir Osmangazi University (ESOGU). In this essence, ESOGU adopts the basic ideas that form the content of The Lima Declaration (1988), UNESCO Recommendation on the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel (1997), Recommendation of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on Academic Freedom and University Autonomy (2006), Council of Higher Education Declaration of Academic Freedom (2013).

The limits to academic freedom and autonomy in Eskisehir Osmangazi University are advocacy of terrorism or violence that threaten the university concept and in particular the existence of EOGU and the speech of racism, ideological chauvinism, religious discrimination, sectarianism and hate.

Academic autonomy refers to the independence of higher education institutions in making decisions on the internal procedures, financial and administrative affairs, and in making self-policies for training, research, external studies and other related activities.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity refers to adhere to the principles of integrity, trust, fairness, equity, respect and responsibility in operationalising the academic missions.

It is the main responsibility to adhere to the value of integrity and ethical principles in any academic or administrative activity in ESOGU.

Merit Principle

It is essential to select, appoint or assign an individual according to the evaluation that is based on both the required standards for a job, task or title, and the ability, qualification, knowledge, experience and integrity level of the individual.

Impartiality

The staff uses its power of discretion in line with the public interest and service requirement, disregarding the arbitrariness and in accordance with the principles of impartiality and equality

The staff cannot treat or act towards natural or legal persons as prioritised, privileged, biased and violate the principles of equality; cannot engage in any action aimed at the benefit or harm of any political party, person or group; cannot inhibit legal policies, decisions and actions of public authorities

The staff acts on the service requirements knowing that service is a duty over any personal or private interests; neither does treat the beneficiaries badly, nor does neglect them, nor does employ double standards, nor does take sides.

Awareness of Public Service in Task Fulfilment

The university staff prioritises continuing professional development, participation, transparency, impartiality, integrity, public interest, accountability, predictability, legitimacy and declaration of trust in the fulfilment of public services.

The university staff neither can use nor make use of any public buildings, vehicles, other service goods and resources except for public purposes and services; protects them and takes necessary measures to keep them ready for service at any time.

Commitment to Service Standards

University executives and staff conduct public services in accordance with the established standards and procedures; inform the beneficiaries about the service and procedures throughout the service period.

Commitment to the Objectives and Mission

University staff behaves in accordance with the declared objectives and mission of the university and acts in line with the national interests, social welfare and mission/vision of the university.

Responsibility and Accountability

It is an indispensable responsibility for each member to sustain institutional peace, mutual courtesy and respect in the universe of university.

The staff is responsible for fulfilling any kind of scientific, administrative and other tasks with the required quality and quantity.

The staff who uses public resources are obliged to ensure transparency in their use, how and to what extent the task is fulfilled.

The university executives take the authorised and necessary measures on time to prevent processes or actions which are not in line with the institutional objectives and policies

The university executives take the necessary measures to prevent the negligence or corruption by the authorised staff. These measures include operating legal and administrative regulations, conducting appropriate educational and informative practices, being careful about the financial and other difficulties of the staff, and serving as models for the staff with their personal behaviour.

The university executives are charged with providing the staff with appropriate training on the principals of ethical behaviour, monitoring compliance with these principles and providing guidance in ethical behaviour.

The staff is obliged to notify the authorised body of the real estates and movable goods of his/hers, his/her spouse and the children under their custody by the provisions set out for debits and credits.

Non-Discrimination and Respect for Others

University staff respects differences; it does not allow discrimination based on race, language, religion, gender, ethnicity or other reasons. It shows the same sensitivity for issues such as sexual harassment, violence and mobbing.

The University staff treats superiors, colleagues, subordinates and those benefiting from the service kindly and it shows the necessary attention to them. If the issue is out of the authority, it will be referred to the relevant unit or authority.

Avoiding Conflict Of Interest

Conflict of interest; means to possess any kind of actual or potential benefit or any financial or other kind of actual or potential personal interest that affects or seemingly affects the duties of the staff to be performed impartially and objectively and that is provided or may be provided to the staff, their relatives, friends or associated real or legal persons.

University staff is obliged to make all kinds of interests outside the institution in accordance with the legal regulations and to declare this openly in the required environments.

University staff has personal responsibility for conflict of interest and act carefully about conflict of interest and take necessary steps to avoid it. As soon as they become aware of the conflict of interest, they inform their superiors of the situation and keep themselves away from the interests that are defined as conflict of interest. University staff cannot benefit from and mediate in favor of themselves, their relatives or third parties by using their duties, titles and authorities; they cannot do discrimination or favoritism for relatives, spouses, friends, compatriots, clannism, and political nepotism for any reason.

Fundamental Human Rights Protection

The university staff protects the fundamental rights and freedoms that exist in the Constitution and the laws, and respects the individual differences and the dignity and personalities of all individuals.

Respect to Nature, Environment and Art

University staff acts sensitively to all assets in nature, environment and art.

PRIVATE ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF ACADEMIC STAFF

At Eskişehir Osmangazi University;

- No authority or position can consciously ignore or hide resulted scientific research.

- Every researcher has the right to carry out research and share the results of his / her research in accordance with ethical principles in line with his / her own preferences and interests.

- The results of any research carried out are published and announced freely in relevant professional and scientific environments if there are no scientific and professional privacy requirements. In cases where studies should be announced or published in general media and social media, announcement and publicity shall be made in accordance with the ethical values and principles of the university.

During research activities, the teaching staff at the university;

1. Adheres to international academic standards and integrity in their fields and quality on a world scale. They do not confine themselves to local and regional standards.
2. They pay attention to team work as a discipline and to collaborate with international groups.
3. Every year, they regularly conduct scientific activities as the main duty of their academic profession and in this context; they make utmost efforts for the free research and explanation of information.
4. They continuously strive to improve their scientific and academic qualifications.
5. Produces and transmits original knowledge under the principle of absolute honesty. In the light of this principle, they never tolerate plagiarism and copying cases and do not allow them to live in it.
6. They adhere to scientific, professional, academic, ethical principles and rules for every kind of assignment, promotion, jury, commission files; they do not provide misleading or deflective information and documents.
7. In researches carried out with partnerships; researchers, those who coordinate, contribute, support, and those who are researched and the research subject, the related research and researchers are respected.

In education-teaching activities, the teaching staff;

1. Carry out their lessons and all obligations related to education and teaching.
2. Make an effort for students to learn the highest academic standards of the profession or discipline freely.
3. They protect the learning rights and freedoms of students, improve their teaching methods and techniques and materials, and support the rights of students to receive modern and qualified education.
4. They respect students and they are unbiased and fair in their approach and evaluation.
5. They do not share confidential information of students with third parties except for legal requirements.
6. They fulfill their academic advisory responsibilities with care.
7. They do not engage in any relationship or behavior with their students involving exploitation, harassment or abuse.
8. They do not accept gifts from students.
9. By their behavior, they become an example for their students to internalize professional ethical values.
10. They try to provide support and assistance to students with disabilities as required by legal regulations.
11. They provide the necessary contribution to the education of young academicians.
12. They adopt and apply an approach that encourages students to make evaluations taking into account of different dimensions and sides, to be tolerant of the ideas they disagree, to form their own opinions based on sound evidence and logic.

In management activities, university teaching staff;

1. Adhere to the principle of competence and do not take religion, sect, clan, politics, mentality, intimacy and gender differences into account in the decision-making mechanisms in all assignments and promotions.
2. They participate in the management of the university and share the necessary responsibilities by taking part in various boards, commissions and committees.
3. They do not have jury membership, arbitration, research, thesis management, research arbitration, expertise, decision-making positions other than their expertise.
4. They shall be absolute neutral in all kinds of jury, arbitration and expert positions. They do not work under the influence of administrative, political, clan effect or take guided, intentional or controlled decisions.
5. They shall not be members of the jury in the appointment, promotion committees of persons with a relationship of interest to themselves, nor shall they take part in arbitration or decision-making positions concerning them.
6. They work for the realization of academic autonomy; they see respect for academic freedom, different ideas and opinions as the fundamental value of university life.
7. They carry out income generating works that are done out of the university in accordance with the legal regulations and honesty principle in a way that does not interfere with the obligations of the university.
8. If the faculty members have interest relations with commercial institutions and organizations legally, they declare these relations openly in all kinds of education, teaching, book, magazine and speech / presentations and appointments.

In the activities carried out for the benefit of society; university teaching staff:

1. Carry out activities and publish articles in order to inform and educate the public on basic issues related to human life, especially human rights.
2. They are voluntarily involved in the training and service activities necessary to raise the awareness of society within their areas of expertise.
3. They distinguish between scientific findings and personal opinions in public statements.

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATATIVE STAFF

University staff;

1. They avoid the attitudes, behaviours and actions that will harm their integrity and objectivity.
2. They see all stakeholders as equal individuals, regardless of their status and duty; they do not discriminate against their colleagues, employees and students for political reasons, race, language, religion, gender, ethnicity, physical disability, or arbitrary or private reasons, and avoid all kinds of discrimination.
3. They raise awareness about discrimination, and acts responsibly to take necessary measures against all kinds of discrimination.
4. They show respect to freedom of speech, provided that they do not include violence, hatred, anger, insult, and libel.
5. They do not take advantage of their duty and power.
6. They refrain from presenting their personal opinions on behalf of or binding the university. They cannot provide binding assurances or engage in initiatives. They cannot make misleading statements.
7. While explaining their thoughts and criticisms, they are to be constructive and careful.
8. They avoid behaviours that would harm the dignity or career of colleagues and university stakeholders in the university.
9. They consider respect for different ideas and opinions as the core value of university life.
10. They cannot engage in acts or actions that lead to violence, sexual harassment, abuse, and mobbing; if such actions are heard of or witnessed, necessary actions are to be taken by authorities. They also see it as a principle to educate and inform, raise awareness about these matters.
11. While utilizing public goods, resources, workforce and facilities, they are to be productive, provident and efficient and behave in a transparent and accountable manner. They avoid prodigality.
12. They strive to play an effective role in developing the economic, cultural and intellectual accumulation of society.
13. They pay attention to the public interest by showing sensitivity to social issues (environment, health, education, justice, disabled, etc.) and see it as a social responsibility to serve the society.
14. While providing public services, they make it for stakeholders to benefit from the service and ensure that the requirements are met in the most efficient, fast, qualified and beneficial manner.
15. They provide services with an understanding that will provide confidence to the university.
16. They participate in the management of the university by taking part in various boards, commissions, and committees.
17. They refrain from any direct or indirect profit that may or may not have an economic value, or may or may not affect the public officials’ impartiality, performance, decision or function.
18. They act impartially and fairly in all matters related to their duty in management. They refrain from any decision making process that concern themselves and anybody that they have close relations with.
19. They adhere to the rules about the proper management of the university administration and their duties, and they have the responsibility to obtain information on the required subjects.

Declaration to Authorized Authorities

The academic and administrative staff of the university notify the situation if they are aware of such action while they are performing their duties, or when they are requested to perform illegal activities or actions that do not comply with the principles of ethical conduct set out in this directive. In the notification, complaints and announcements that are to be made in accordance with Article 4 of Law No. 3071 in the Use of Right of Petition, corresponding complaint, name and surname, signature, business or residence address of the notifier must be included. Notices, complaints and announcements not containing the name, surname and signature, business or residence address of the notifier are not examined.