Integrity policy

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Integrity Charter Code of Conduct on Conflicts of Interest Magna Charta Human Rights @ UHasselt First aid kit for questions about Research Integrity Steering Group Ethics and Integrity News Ethics and Integrity

Integrity Charter

As of 2018 all employees of Hasselt University – academic, administrative and technical – will sign the Integrity charter upon contractual signing.

The Integrity charter contains guidelines and focus points on academic and scientific integrity, people connected to Hasselt University, the confidentiality of certain information, the protection of research results (for possible valorisation), responsibility and respect.  

We ask you to read the Integrity charter and brochure carefully and take it's message with you in your daily activities. Integrity is a challenge that we all share and a positive Integrity-culture at Hasselt University is a goal that we can only achieve by working together. 

Download the UHasselt Integrity charter here (pdf, 40 KB)

Download the brochure here  (pdf, 2.6 MB)

Code of Conduct on Conflicts of Interest

Within the broad integrity policy, a Code of Conduct on Conflicts of Interest has been developed by the Steering Group Ethics and Integrity. It is approved by the Board of Governors. 

This code of conduct creates a framework to eliminate ambiguities and prevent potential and effective conflicts of interest or abuse of power when professional and private relationships are potentially entangled. The code is based on transparency, responsibility and privacy principles and should provide staff and students with the necessary tools to deal with a (potential) conflict of interest. 

Code of Conduct on Conflicts of Interest (pdf, 265 KB)

 

 

Magna Charta

Hasselt University endorses the principles of the Magna Charta Universitatum, signed in September 2017.

  1. The university is an autonomous institution: Research and education must be morally and intellectually independent of all political authority and economic power.
  2. Research and education should be inseparable if their tuition is not to lag behind changing needs, the demands of society, and advances in scientific knowledge.
  3. Freedom in research and training is the fundamental principle of the academic life. The goal of the university is to attain universal knowledge and to transcend geographical and political frontiers.

Compliance with these principles is overseen by the Magna Charta Observatory. By organizing events where researchers, policymakers and students meet to discuss related problems and search for answers, the Observatory guards institutional autonomy and academic freedom.

Contact 
research@uhasselt.be 

Human Rights @ UHasselt

Hasselt University has a strong global focus, actively engaging with the challenges facing our society. We are committed to addressing societal challenges, and respect for human rights is fundamental to our services, education, and research. We are proactive in protecting and promoting human rights, with a firm commitment to avoiding any involvement in human rights violations.

Our commitment extends to our partnerships. Hasselt University will not collaborate with any partner organization that is implicated in severe human rights abuses or whose practices violate human rights. This includes partners who systematically deny fair wages, as defined by local standards, or those who exploit child labor, forced labor, or slavery.

What are human rights?

The Commission on Human Rights defines a human rights violation as follows: 

“The connection that may exist under the form of general explicit sympathy, financial dependence, product or technological relevance in the context of war or violation of human rights in the broadest sense.”

The Human Rights Commission reviews (applications for) collaborations where there may be a potential risk of human rights violations. The process and grounds on which collaborations are assessed are outlined below.

 About the Human Rights Committee 

The Human Rights Commission is a central body at Hasselt University responsible for overseeing human rights considerations. The commission reviews proposals for collaborations that may carry a potential risk of human rights violations or engage in activities that could potentially infringe upon these rights. The evaluation process and the criteria used are detailed below. For further information on how we operate, please consult our internal regulations (only available in Dutch). Should you have any questions or concerns regarding possible human rights abuses, please do not hesitate to contact our reporting center via mensenrechten@uhasselt.be.

Furthermore, in May 2022, Hasselt University introduced a specific clause concerning the safeguarding of human rights in research collaborations. The systematic inclusion of this clause in agreements serves to enhance awareness of the issue of human rights violations and to encourage greater vigilance among all parties involved.

Human Rights Clause:

“The Parties pledge to uphold human rights as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Each Party shall have the right to immediately terminate this Agreement, by way of a written notice sent by registered mail, in case the other Party commits a substantial breach of human rights.” 

Composition of the Human Rights Committee
  • Chairman: Sadia Vancauwenbergh
  • Vice-chairman: Saskia Bas
  • Secretary: Stephanie Ruysschaert
  • Expert Human Rights 
  • Representative from DIOS: Ann Verstraeten
  • OBI Legal counsel: Debbie Melissas
  • ZAP representative per faculty/school
    • Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences: /
    • Faculty of Engineering Technology: Ali Pirdavani
    • Faculty of Sciences: Jan Van den Bussche
    • Faculty of Business Economics: Piet Pauwels
    • Faculty of Law: Stijn Smet
    • Faculty of Architecture and Arts: Elke Knapen
    • Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences: Wim Pinxten
    • School of Social Sciences: Itamar Shachar
    • School of Transportation Sciences: An Neven
    • School of Educational Studies: Elke Emmers

Procedure for Assessing Human Rights Risks in Collaborations

Researchers are encouraged to proactively seek advice from the Human Rights Commission regarding any potential human rights concerns in their collaborations. The Commission also actively monitors existing and proposed partnerships to ensure alignment with our human rights commitments.

Step 1: Identify Potential Concerns

If you are considering a new collaboration or have an existing one where you have questions about human rights, start by completing the VLIR traffic light diagram. If any of the answers raise a red flag, follow the steps below.

Step 2: Consult with the Human Rights Committee

Reach out to the Human Rights Committee (mensenrechten@uhasselt.be) and provide them with the following completed documents:

Step 3: Expert Review

Our human rights expert will conduct a thorough review of the potential partner institution, focusing on their human rights record.

Step 4: Comprehensive Analysis

The Human Rights Commission will conduct a comprehensive analysis, considering the expert's assessment, the nature of the proposed activities, and the partner's overall commitment to human rights.

Step 5: Decision and Next Steps

The Commission will inform you of their decision.

  • Approved Collaborations: If approved, you can proceed with your collaboration. The Commission may recommend additional measures to further safeguard human rights, such as a signed declaration from the partner institution. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation may also be implemented.
  • Collaborations Not Approved: If the collaboration is not approved, the Commission will provide you with a formal document to facilitate communication with the partner. The OBI directorate can offer further support in ending the collaboration.

Considerations for International Partnerships

When engaging in international collaborations, it is crucial not only to consider the partner organization but also to be aware of the broader context, particularly in certain regions. The following regions (listed alphabetically) require heightened attention and scrutiny:

The Human Rights Commission recommends that all UHasselt staff members thoroughly evaluate the institutions and regions with which they choose to collaborate, with a specific focus on the adherence to human rights standards. The following resources can provide guidance in this process:

 

Useful tools and sources

Tools:

Other sources:

Contact us

In case of doubt or questions regarding a possible human rights risk, please contact the Human Rights contact point: mensenrechten@uhasselt.be.

First aid kit for questions about Research Integrity

OMBUDSMAN FOR PHD STUDENTS 

Are you a PhD student? Are there problems with your working relationship with your supervisor? Or have you encountered integrity issues in the course of your research? If so, get in touch. Together we’ll try to get your PhD back on track.

CONFIDANT

Are relations with your colleagues not going smoothly? Are you experiencing bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination or aggression? Or are you suffering physical or psychological harm as a result of the organisation of your work, or the content, conditions or circumstances of your employment? If so, get in touch with one of Hasselt University's seven confidants. We will be happy to listen to your problems and look for a solution together.

CONTACT POINT TRANSGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR

The contact point is there for all staff members (including doctorandi) and students of UHasselt. A report may concern transgressive behaviour by a student, staff member or visitor on campus. 

OCCUPATIONAL DOCTOR

Are you wondering whether the demands of your work are compatible with your capabilities? Do you have questions such as: Can I simply carry on working in the lab during my pregnancy? How can I avoid burnout? The Hasselt University occupational doctor monitors the health and wellbeing of our employees on a preventive basis.


HEALTH AND SAFETY ADVISER FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS

Are you experiencing psychological and/or physical complaints as a result of your working conditions? Would you like to have the risks analysed, either formally or informally? If so, contact the health and safety adviser for psychosocial aspects. We devise preventive measures and receive requests for informal and formal psychosocial intervention.

HR BUSINESS PARTNER

Do you have questions about integrity within HR areas such as training, well-being, evaluation and functioning, employment status and careers? We’ll be happy to help you with all your integrity related questions and challenges.

  • HR business partners : Katrien Tips and Agna Dodion
  • More info

SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY 

Hasselt University provides guidance for questions about responsible research and innovation. All information about ethics and research integrity can be found on this webpage. 

Steering Group Ethics and Integrity

GENERAL INFORMATION STEERING GROUP ETHICS AND INTEGRITY

The Steering Group Ethics and Integrity is an overarching council, consisting of all chairman of the Ethical Committees, as well as representatives from the department of Research, Education and Staff. 

The goal is to connect all ethical committees and exchange information about each other's work.

Important: the Steering Group does not handle complaints or problems. 

The scope of the Steering Group Ethics and Integrity:

  • giving internal advice, both general and ad hoc, and suggesting measures regarding ethical and integrity issues; 
  • coordinate ethical committees at Hasselt University, more specifically on the subject of regulation, composition, operation and procedures;
  • formulate recommendations for education and communication towards UHasselt-staff members and support initiatives to grow the UHasselt integrity culture.

 

COMPOSITION OF THE STEERING GROUP ETHICS AND INTEGRITY 

  • the chairman of the commission for research integrity: Geert Molenberghs
  • the chairman of the medical ethics committee: Ivo Lambrichts
  • the chairman of the social and societal ethics committee: Johan Ackaert
  • the chairman of the commission for animal experimentation: Virginie Bito
  • the chairman of the Biosafety commission: Karen Smeets
  • the chairman of the human rights commission: Sadia Vancauwenbergh
  • a honorary member of the Flemish commission for research integrity: Marcel Ameloot
  • a ethicist: Wim Pinxten
  • the rector: Bernard Vanheusden
  • the vice rector research: Ken Haenen
  • the vice rector education: Elke Hermans
  • the director from the department research (OBI): Sadia Vancauwenbergh
  • the director from the department education: Lien Mampaey
  • the director from the department staff: Karel Bosmans
  • a legal counsel from the rectorate department: Britt Loos
  • a representative from the department OBI: Stefanie Kerkhofs
  • a secretary from the department OBI: Stephanie Ruysschaert

 

CONTACTPOINT 

Integriteit@uhasselt.be

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