Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) reaffirms its commitment to upholding academic freedom, academic expression, and scientific autonomy as fundamental pillars of strong, just, and transparent institutional governance. This commitment forms part of UNNES’s broader strategy to advance the principles of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, which emphasizes the development of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
The transformation of UNNES into a Legal Entity State University (Perguruan Tinggi Negeri Badan Hukum/PTN-BH) has strengthened the university’s institutional capacity to guarantee both academic independence and public accountability. The legal foundation for this commitment is stipulated in Government Regulation No. 36 of 2022 on UNNES as a Legal Entity State University, which explicitly guarantees the academic community’s right to exercise academic freedom and scientific autonomy.
The transformation of UNNES into a Legal Entity State University (Perguruan Tinggi Negeri Badan Hukum/PTN-BH) has strengthened the university’s institutional capacity to guarantee both academic independence and public accountability. The legal foundation for this commitment is stipulated in Government Regulation No. 36 of 2022 on UNNES as a Legal Entity State University, particularly Article 24, which explicitly guarantees the academic community’s right to exercise academic freedom and scientific autonomy.
This principle is further operationalized through the Rector’s Regulation No. 120 of 2024 concerning the Implementation of Academic Freedom, Academic Expression, and Scientific Autonomy. The regulation ensures that lecturers, researchers, and students are free to determine their research focus, employ independent methodologies, and publicly communicate their scholarly findings without external interference. Such academic freedom is not only a right but also a moral obligation to uphold justice, scientific truth, honesty, and accountability in the pursuit of knowledge.
UNNES Rector, Prof. Dr. S. Martono, M.Si., emphasized that academic freedom represents more than an individual right it reflects the university’s collective responsibility to uphold transparent and participatory governance.
“Academic freedom is not merely the privilege of scholars; it is a manifestation of the university’s integrity and commitment to fairness, transparency, and public accountability. UNNES ensures that every member of the academic community can think, teach, and create independently within the framework of ethics and scientific integrity,” he stated.
This institutional framework is complemented by the Rector’s Regulation No. 5 of 2016 on the Implementation of Research and Community Service, which reinforces principles of fairness, transparency, and ethical accountability in all research and community engagement activities. Together, these policies form a governance system that promotes integrity, inclusivity, and public trust key characteristics of good university governance and the essence of strong institutions under SDG 16.
Through these policies, UNNES positions itself as a public institution that is both autonomous and responsible, ensuring that the principles of academic justice, ethical conduct, and evidence-based decision-making remain central to its governance. The institutionalization of academic freedom directly contributes to the achievement of SDG 16.6 (developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions) and SDG 16.7 (ensuring responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making).
This commitment solidifies UNNES’s role as an Integrity and Impact University, where scientific autonomy, social responsibility, and good governance coexist to advance sustainable institutional development. By integrating academic freedom into its governance framework, UNNES continues to embody the spirit of a Conservation and Impactful University a campus that stands for integrity, justice, and the advancement of human civilization.
