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CODESRIA Books Publication System
There is no doubt that academic freedom is a complex concept that cannot be analyzed from one perspective or within a unified context. Although there is almost a consensus among academicians and social scientists about the definition of this concept as being the freedom to undertake teaching and research in a free and unrestricted
manner and the ability to publish research findings without fear of political and social consequences, the interpretation of this concept has been different in various social and political contexts. This is largely dependent on or linked to the general freedoms prevailing in national political systems. In democratic systems of government, academic freedom is usually guaranteed even if the state is totally financing the academic system.
However, in non-democratic systems, this freedom is frequently restricted and often infringed upon, particularly if messages conveyed by academicians and researchers are not in line or in conformity with the political philosophy or orientations of the ruling governments. In this case, the source of funding does not really count or have an impact
on the level of restrictions or infringements imposed since private and public institutions are equal.
Academic institutions, in a good number of Arab and African countries, have been struggling during their post independence eras to gain academic freedom and institutional autonomy which they consider important not only for playing their role as a watchdog for society but also for nations to construct knowledge societies in which knowledge generation, dissemination, and application are the decisive factors involved. In any context where academic freedom is restricted or limited, the ability of academicians and researchers to produce and use knowledge for the welfare of society is impeded. From the presentations delivered at the conference, it was clear that the political systems in certain Arab and African contexts, in spite of some relaxed polices in a number of countries, are not yet conducive to full fledged academic freedom. Even inemerging democratic systems, academic freedom still suffers from various types of restrictions and infringements by the state.
Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oran Centre of Research in Social and Cultural Anthropology, Algeria
University of Bamako Department of Social Sciences BP 1978, Bamako, Mali
Director of public relations, Birzeit University
Coordinator of Birzeit University’s Right to Education Campaign
Centre for Information Technology and Development
Flat 3, Zumunchi building
BUK Road, K/Kabuga
P.O. Box 10210 Kano
Nigeria
Professor of Mass Communication; Cairo University and the American University in Cairo
Vice-Rector, United Arab Emirates University
Ministry of Higher Education, Palestine Street Damascus, Syria
University of the Gambia
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
MDI Road, P.O. Box 3530, Serrekunda
The Gambia, West Africa
Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa
Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop x Canal IV,
BP 3304, CP 18524, Dakar,
Senegal
Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa
Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop x Canal IV,
BP 3304, CP 18524, Dakar,
Senegal
APA Bubtana, A. R., Remaoun, D. H., Dougon, I., Barghouti, R., Murray, H., Ya’u, Y. Z., Hamada, B. I., Shamsi, M. S. A., Abdulwahed, M. N., Awasom, N. F., Olukoshi, A., & SALL, E. (2006). Academic Freedom Conference: “Problems and Challenges in Arab and African Countries”. CODESRIA. https://doi.org/10.57054/codesria.pub.211
Chicago Bubtana, Abdalla R., Dr. Hassan Remaoun, Isaie Dougon, Riham Barghouti, Helen Murray, Y. Z. Ya’u, Basyouni Ibrahim Hamada, et al. Academic Freedom Conference: “Problems and Challenges in Arab and African Countries”. Dakar: CODESRIA, 2006. https://doi.org/10.57054/codesria.pub.211.
MLA Bubtana, Abdalla R., et al. Academic Freedom Conference: “Problems and Challenges in Arab and African Countries”. CODESRIA, 2006. https://doi.org/10.57054/codesria.pub.211.
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