Version: 1        Creation date: 3 March 2025      Last review date: 3 March 2025

1. Purpose
This policy establishes a framework for maintaining and promoting a strong ethical culture across Near East University. It ensures that ethical principles are embedded in all teaching, research, governance, and operational practices.

2. Scope
This policy applies to all university community members, including academic and administrative staff, students, researchers, and external stakeholders engaged with the institution.

3. Policy Statement
Near East University is committed to conducting all activities under the highest ethical standards, fostering a climate of integrity, inclusiveness, accountability, and transparency. These principles guide both individual behavior and institutional decision-making.

4. Guiding Principles

• Integrity: Honesty and transparency in all academic, administrative, and interpersonal interactions.
• Respect: Valuing diversity, dignity, and individual rights.
• Fairness: Equitable treatment and access to opportunity.
• Academic Freedom: Protection of freedom of expression and critical inquiry.
• Accountability: Responsibility for actions and decisions.

These values are reflected in the university’s Vision, Mission and Our Values Statement:
https://neu.edu.tr/about-us/vision-mission-our-values/?lang=en

5. Roles and Responsibilities

• The Ethics Committee, directly reporting to the Rector, monitors ethical practices and investigates reports of misconduct.
• Faculty and administrators promote ethical conduct in their respective units.
• All university members must comply with this policy and report violations.

6. Ethics Training
The university offers training to staff, faculty, and students. This includes:

• Orientation programmes for new staff
• Workshops on research ethics, integrity, and inclusion
• Specialised training on ethical decision-making
• Doctoral-level courses on research and professional ethics integrated into graduate programmes

7. Whistleblowing and Grievance Mechanism
A secure and confidential internal reporting mechanism allows members to report:

• Ethical misconduct
• Harassment or discrimination
• Grievances related to workplace or academic issues

All reports are reviewed confidentially and whistleblowers are protected in accordance with university regulations.

8. Anti-Bribery and Corruption

Near East University prohibits all forms of bribery and corruption. The Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy applies to:

• All university members and affiliates
• All procurement and partnership decisions

https://sustainability.neu.edu.tr/sustainability/policies/anti-bribery-and-corruption-policy/

9. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The university operates an EDI Policy, supported by an EDI Committee formally appointed by the administration. This committee:

• Advises leadership on DEI strategies
• Oversees implementation of inclusive programmes
• Conducts outreach and coordinates campus-wide DEI training

https://sustainability.neu.edu.tr/sustainability/policies/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-edi/

10. Breach of Policy

Violations of this policy may lead to disciplinary action, including formal investigation by the Ethics Committee and sanctions as per university procedures.

11. Review and Communication

This policy will be reviewed every three years or as needed. Updates will be communicated through the university website and internal communication channels. For detailed procedures and governance related to ethical conduct, please refer to the Ethics Committee Regulation, available at:

https://neu.edu.tr/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/11/etik-yonetmelik-11.04.2025-EN.pdf