Selected Aspects of Academic Freedom – Example from Slovakia by the View of University Teachers

Academic freedom is a very important topic in the higher education process. The main aim of this article is to identify selected aspects of academic freedom within the Slovak higher education system from the perspective of Slovak university teachers. The text briefly defines the basic aspects of academic freedom. The empirical part analyses the results of the authors' own empirical research. The aim of the empirical research was to identify how Slovak university teachers characterize academic freedom in Slovakia. The empirical research used a qualitative research methodology. Structured interviews were used as a method of data collection. The respondents in the research were 10 Slovak university teachers. The results of the empirical research show that the university teachers studied identified the aspects of academic freedom in the higher education process. In Slovakia, the university teachers studied have autonomy in selecting educational and assessment methods. Moreover, they emphasized the significance of freedom of speech during the higher education process. The conclusion of the paper defines the importance of academic freedom for university teachers during the higher education process. Academic freedom is closely related to the delivery of education, and it should be supported by university management, as university teachers are autonomous experts in delivering lectures and seminars. It is a very important factor for the continuity of the higher education process.