The Education (Academic Tenure)(Northern Ireland) Order 1988

The University Commissioners for Northern Ireland

3.—(1) There shall be a body of Commissioners known as the University Commissioners for Northern Ireland (in this Order referred to as “the Commissioners”) who shall exercise, in accordance with paragraph (2), in relation to qualifying institutions, the functions assigned to them by this Order.

(2) In exercising those functions, the Commissioners shall have regard to the need—

(a) to ensure that academic staff have freedom within the law to question and test received wisdom, and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions, without placing themselves in jeopardy of losing their jobs or privileges they may have at their institutions;

(b) to enable qualifying institutions to provide education, promote learning and engage in research efficiently and economically; and

(c) to apply the principles of justice and fairness.

(3) The following are qualifying institutions for the purposes of this Order—

(a) The Queen’s University of Belfast; and

(b) University of Ulster.

(4) The Schedule shall have effect with respect to the Commissioners.