درجة ممارسة القيادات الأكاديمية بالجامعات السعودية الرسمية للحرية الأكاديمية

Abstract EN

This study aimed to identify the practices of academic freedom by academic leaders in the official Saudi universities from their point of view in light of the variables related to the academic leadership (Academic Major, Academic Rank, Job Post, and University).

In order to achieve this study, the researcher used a tool for academic freedom which was validated.

It consisted of (24) paragraphs to study the practice of academic freedom by academic leaders in the official Saudi universities from their point of view and to detect the differences in the level of academic freedom in the light of study variables.

The sample of the study consisted of (235) academic leaders in the official Saudi universities in Riyadh in the second semester of the academic year 2016- 2017, 1437-1438.

The results of the study after the statistical analysis showed that the academic leaders of the official Saudi universities exercise the academic freedom of the four dimensions (Freedom Of Teaching, Scientific Research, Community Service, Decision Making) to a medium degree from their point of view and an average of (3.22).Decision making came first with an average of (3.57)and standard deviation (0.65) followed by community service (3.53), standard deviation (0.61), scientific research (2.94), standard deviation (0.84).

Finally, the freedom of teaching as the lowest dimensions of academic freedom in the academic leadership of the official Saudi universities averaged at (2.84) and standard deviation (0.87).

The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences at the level of (α ≥ 0.05) to the degree of moral leadership practice due to the variable of academic major (Health, Scientific, Humanities) from the point of view of academic leaders.

Excluding some decision-making and community service, there were statistically significant differences between the academic at (0.05) for the benefit of humanities majors.

The study also showed that there are no statistically significant differences at the level of (α ≥ 0.05) to the degree of practicing academic freedom due to the academic rank variable (Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor) from the point of view of the academic leaders for the decision making and community service, and the total academic freedom questionnaire, there were statistically significant differences between the academic degree at the level of (0.05) for the benefit of professor and associate professor.

The study also showed no differences of statistical significance at the level of (α ≥ 0.05) to the degree of practicing academic freedom due to the variable of job post (Dean, Vice Dean, and Head of Department) from the point of view of the academic leadership.

The study also showed no differences of statistical significance at the level of (α ≥ 0.05) to the degree of practicing academic freedom due to the university variable (King Saud University, Al-Imam University, Princess Noura University) from the point of view of academic leaders) with the exception of decision making and community services variables, where there were statistically significance differences at the level of (0.05) for the benefit of King Saud University.

The study concluded with several recommendations, the most important of which is the interest in academic freedom in Saudi universities, the necessity of giving it to the academic bodies, developing them, preparing the appropriate conditions for their practice, the necessity of participation of the academic bodies in the process of university decision-making, building the strategic plan of the university, conducting further studies and field research on the concept of academic freedom ,and connecting it with other variables