institutional autonomy

Institutional autonomy refers to the independence of an organization or institution—such as a university, research center, or professional body—to govern itself without undue influence from external entities like government bodies or private interests. This independence allows the institution to make decisions about its policies, research priorities, academic programs, and resource management based on its objectives and expertise. Maintaining institutional autonomy ensures that the organization can operate freely, uphold academic or professional standards, and pursue its mission effectively, while still being accountable to relevant stakeholders and the law.