Sustainable AASTMT

AASTMT Neutral Platforms Policy

Read our Policy

1-Policy Purpose

This policy clarifies that AASTMT permits its students and staff to either participate or initiate a platform for discussing different issues, promoting community involvement and fostering collaborative decision-making.

2-Policy Statement

In addition to the academic freedom for the AASTMT staff, AASTMT also always supports its students and employees to discuss and express their opinions in neutral platforms that uphold human rights. These platforms are under the supervision of AASTMT Personnel and designed to encourage public participation from all community members. All AASTMT communities can freely join and engage in discussions on these platforms, provided they comply with the rules set by AASTMT for neutral and fair interactions.

3-Policy Scope

• Students
• AASTMT Academic and Administrative Staff

4-Policy Description

AASTMT always guarantees the freedom for its community to participate and express their opinions across various sectors. Some of the platforms in AASTMT discuss the following areas, inviting political engagement and diverse perspectives:

• Political
• Environmental
• Sustainability
• Educational
• Social
• Technological
• Sport
• Maritime, Logistics and International Transportation
• Media
• Economic

5-Rules Governing Platforms in AASTMT

• Respect diversity, equality and inclusion for the platform members.
• Uphold human rights, ensuring freedom of speech, thought, and intellectual inquiry to the extent that the law allows.
• Encourage responsive actions that contribute to achieving the AASTMT vision and mission.
• Facilitate collaborative decision-making process within discussions.
• Ensure that platforms have a clear impact on the topics being discussed.
• Safeguard the safety and security of the platform data and information.
• Respecting the intellectual property rights of others.
• Promote employee involvement by encouraging faculty and staff to participate actively in discussions.
• Sharing personal information on the platforms is banned.
• Any other unethical actions are prohibited in the platforms.

6-Key Aspects of a Neutral Platform Policy:

• Non-Discrimination:  Platforms should treat all content, services, and users equally, without prejudice or preference. 

• Focus on Core Mission:  AASTMT focuses on its primary functions of teaching, research, and fostering intellectual inquiry, not on taking sides on external political or social matters. 
• Freedom of Inquiry:  AASTMT neutrality supports an environment where students and faculty can explore diverse ideas and engage in respectful debate without fear of institutional reprisal or pressure to conform.
• Avoiding Politicization:  By staying neutral on external issues, universities prevent themselves from becoming politicized entities and maintain their role as a neutral forum for critical thinking.
• Promoting Transparency and Accountability: AASTMT encourages transparency in university management and operations.

7- How AASTMT Promotes Neutrality

• Creating Spaces for Discussion: AASTMT holds some events that serve as neutral grounds for discussions on various policy and social issues. 
• Providing Resources and Support: AASTMT offers personalized outreach, resources, and support for students, faculty, and staff who are impacted by distressing external events, without taking a definitive institutional stance on the event itself. 
• Encouraging Open Inquiry: The fundamental goal is to foster an environment where academic inquiry, free debate, and open discussion can thrive.