Ethical Conduct
AASTMT Institutional Ethics, Core Values, and Oversight Framework
1. Introduction
The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) is deeply committed to ethical leadership and values-driven governance. The institution integrates core ethical values — including respect, dignity, accountability, and sustainability — across all levels of its strategic, academic, and operational functions. These values are publicly stated, operationally reinforced, and supported by designated ethical oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency, fairness, and institutional integrity.
AASTMT:
- Enshrines its ethical values in publicly available strategic documents
- Provides comprehensive training across all institutional levels based on those values
- Maintains a formal Office for Ethical Compliance with a designated officer
- Operates a secure, confidential, and legally compliant whistleblower and grievance system
These practices reflect AASTMT’s deep commitment to dignity, respect, accountability, and sustainability as guiding principles of institutional integrity and responsible governance.
2. Ethical Values and Core Principles
AASTMT has adopted a publicly available set of Core Values, which guide the ethical and professional behavior of all staff, faculty, and students:
|
Core Value |
Ethical Alignment |
|---|---|
|
Alignment |
Promotes loyalty, dedication, and shared responsibility across all organizational units |
|
Leadership |
Embodies ethical leadership at all levels and aims to develop leaders who model integrity |
|
Excellence & Sustainability |
Integrates social responsibility with educational excellence as a measure of institutional success |
|
Dignity |
Anchors all professional practices in high ethical standards |
|
Respect |
Reinforces diversity, mutual respect, and fairness in relationships and decision-making |
|
Accountability |
Fosters responsibility at all levels and empowers individuals to uphold ethical practices |
|
Knowledge |
Commits to transparency and data-driven decision-making through digital transformation |
These values are reflected in AASTMT’s:
- Strategic Plan and Vision Statements
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy
- Student Code of Conduct and HR Manuals All of which are publicly available on the university’s platforms.
3. Training Based on Ethical Values
AASTMT provides mandatory ethics training for all members of the university, aligned with its values and institutional policies:
- New faculty and staff orientations include sessions on dignity, respect, diversity, and inclusion
- Faculty development workshops promote ethical communication, academic integrity, and fair evaluation
- Student workshops and onboarding cover institutional values, student rights, responsibilities, and grievance procedures
Training content is tailored to role and delivered across campuses through the Faculty Development Center, in cooperation with Human Resources and the Deanery of Student Affairs.
4. Office for Ethical Compliance
AASTMT has a designated Office for Ethical Compliance, managed under the Vice President for Education and Student Affairs, with operational links to Human Resources and Legal Affairs. This office is responsible for:
- Overseeing institutional adherence to ethical values and codes of conduct
- Investigating and resolving ethical complaints or misconduct reports
- Advising leadership on human rights compliance, labor fairness, and equitable academic policies
- Leading ethics training campaigns and faculty/staff awareness sessions
A designated Ethics Officer ensures institution-wide consistency in upholding the university’s integrity standards.
5. Confidential Reporting and Whistleblower Protection
AASTMT operates a structured internal grievance and whistleblower reporting system, which includes:
- Anonymous and confidential submission channels for staff and students
- A strict non-retaliation policy to protect individuals who report misconduct or ethical breaches
- Review by qualified officials under grievance protocols handled by the HR and Legal Affairs offices
- Transparent handling procedures and fair resolutions overseen by the Ethical Compliance Office
These systems are publicly documented and accessible through AASTMT’s internal platforms and policy guides.