Code of Conduct

Purpose:

The purpose of Scienject 2.0 is to model the best practices of collaboration and cooperation in
the STEM field, irrespective of an individual's race, gender, political or sexual orientation, age,
or nationality. Scienject 2.0 is guided by these principles to ensure everyone attending is able to
participate in the event and socialize with other individuals within a secure and supervised
environment. Hence, the Scienject 2.0 Equity Committee has created a list of expectations that
we expect will be met by attending delegates. Each school is accountable for the fact that every
participant has read the Code of Conduct and has signed the Waiver of Liability before signing
up for the event. We take this matter seriously, and any violations of this guideline will be dealt
with accordingly. As with our zero-tolerance policy, we refuse to compromise on certain aspects
of this code.

Responsibility of the management and delegates:

Please note that the administration is not responsible in case of any theft or loss of items. As the
management, it is our responsibility to ensure a secure and respectful event while also
maintaining an exuberant environment which we will do to the best of our ability. It is our duty to
manage the event according to the time given but be cognizant that an impediment to the
schedule provided is inevitable. Scienject 2.0 will not bear responsibility for safeguarding a
delegate who defies the law under equity rules.

Delegates are required to uphold ethical and moral standards in accordance with the code of
conduct provided. Moreover, every delegate is responsible for their belongings.

Below is a list of expectations and the subsequent consequences for not adhering to any of
them.

Event Dress Code:

Every delegate is expected to dress formally for the event. This constitutes formal western or
eastern attire or uniforms of their respective institutions. Trousers, Shorts, Flip-Flops, etc., are
strictly prohibited within the event.

Prohibited Actions:

Delegates and delegations are expected to treat all participating members and staff of the event
with due respect and fairness. The following behaviors are strictly prohibited:

• Badgering:
Any persistent disruption towards a delegate during the course of their respective tasks is
considered badgering

• Bullying:

Repeated, unreasonable behavior by an individual or a group, directed towards another

individual or group that intimidates, offends, degrades, humiliates, undermines and threatens.
This includes pressuring another person or group of people to do something that they are
uncomfortable with.

• Harassment:

Derogatory and inappropriate advances that may include:

1. Suggestive or unwanted comments or jokes

2. Physical contact without prior and continuous consent

3. Inappropriate staring

4. Violent or aggressive behavior

5. Unsolicited advances and requests.

• Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment or discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin,
religion, age, or disability is not acceptable under any circumstances. Any uninvited sexual
activity that may reasonably be expected or regarded to cause offense or humiliation is
considered sexual harassment. Sexual harassment can take the form of verbal, nonverbal, or
physical activity, as well as written and electronic messages, and can happen to people of all
genders. This may include, but is not restricted to:

1. Any derogatory comments about someone's sexual orientation or gender identity

2. Name-calling or using taunts with a gender/sexual connotation

3. Making sexual comments about appearance, clothing, or body parts

4. Staring in a sexually lewd manner

5. Touching, including pinching, patting, rubbing, or purposefully brushing up against

a person without consent

6. Sending sexually suggestive communications in any format such as written and or

electronic
 7. Attempted or actual sexual assault, including rape.

• Violence:

Use of physical force with the intent to injure and or abuse any person. Violence involving
weapons may compel the management to contact the authorities. This includes:

1. Beating

2. Burning

3. Kicking

4. Punching

5. Biting

6. Maiming

7. The use of objects or weapons to inflict any harm.

• Weapons:

Possession and use of weapons, including but not limited to handguns, clubs, daggers, or sharp
objects are not allowed in the school's premises.

• Vandalism:

Any deliberate damage or destruction of school property including the defacement of said
property will be dealt with severely. This damage includes intentionally breaking, physically
drawing or writing on them using markers, pens, etc.

• Discrimination:

Expressions of racial, religious, ethnic, or gender bias, directed at individuals or groups.

Unequal treatment demeaning another person for reasons including but not limited to race,
gender, creed, or origin.

Vilification: the public incitement of hatred, contempt, or severe ridicule of another individual, or
group based on a protected attribute is strictly prohibited.

• Protected attributes under the Code of Conduct:

1. Age or age group;

2. Disability (including but not limited to past, present, and future disabilities)
3. Gender Identity (the gender-related identity, appearance, or mannerisms)

4. Gender-related characteristics of a person, including but not limited to how people express or
present their gender;

5. Language status or proficiency (for example, speaking with an accent);

6. Political affiliation or beliefs;

7. Race, color, national or ethnic background;

8. Sexual orientation;

9. Socioeconomic status and background;

10. Appearance or looks

• Substance Abuse:

Any smoking or usage of drugs or illegal substances inside the school premises is strictly
prohibited. Appropriate action will be taken if any of the above is found.

• Photographs taken without consent

Please note that by signing the waiver of liability and code of conduct a delegate or delegation is
agreeing that they may be photographed by the media team. However, if any delegate
photographs or creates a video of another delegate without their informed consent, this will be
considered as a violation of the code of conduct.

Complaint Process:

If a participant feels that their rights or those of another person, written hereto and otherwise
have been breached in any way by another participant or staff, it is their responsibility to report
any such action to the Equity board. A complaint may be filed by email or in any way the
participant deems suitable (Contacts of the Equity Board have been provided below). A form will
also be available.

Complaints may be made informally or formally:

The nature of the complaint must be specified at the time of filing:

a. An informal complaint raises concerns but does not require formal responses such as
investigation or mediation, an informal complaint may be made anonymously by any person.
b. A formal complaint is where a formal response is sought, such as investigation or mediation,
formal complaints cannot be made anonymously in the interests of due process. Although the
identities of the person making the complaint will be protected and not disclosed to anyone
besides the equity team at any point whatsoever.

In addition to complaints, participants are encouraged to contact the Equity Board to raise
general equity-related concerns, even if they do not feel an incident has occurred. Both
anonymous complaints and general concerns enhance the Equity Officers' overall
understanding of relevant issues occurring within the event, which will further assist in the
prevention of future equity violations.

All complaints formally filed shall be investigated promptly, provided the complaint is not in bad
faith and is supported by documented evidence.

Examples of appropriate action may include:

In case of a complaint, the Equity Officer, along with the Executive Council, may take actions
including, but not limited, to the following:

a. Explain the complaint to the offending person and have a discussion with them about why
their remark or action was inappropriate;

b. Issue an informal warning to the offending person;

c. Issue a formal warning to the offending person;

d. Request that the offending person provide an apology;

e. Require the offending person to delete any photographs or videos taken without consent;

f. Bring the relevant persons together to conciliate the dispute with the consent of the victim

g. Suspending or terminating the perpetrator's access to the event and or refusing registration
at future events

h. conveying the complaint to any investigative or disciplinary authority with jurisdiction over the
person accused of harassment (for example the school administrator)

i. in cases of any violence or breach of rights such as sexual assault, the authorities may be
notified

** In case of an equity complaint against the Equity Board or any member in it, the complaint
may be filed directly with the Executive Council and Respective Heads.
Prohibition of retaliation:

Threats, intimidation, or any other form of retaliation against a participant who has made a
complaint or provided information in support of a complaint are prohibited. Victimization referring
to causing detriment to a person because that person has made a complaint or taken part in
complaints proceedings is strictly prohibited.

Any reasonable action needed to prevent and respond to retaliation, in accordance with
Scienject 2.0 policy, rules, and regulations will be taken.

Disclaimer:

By registering for the event, you agree that you have read and will to the utmost of your ability to
adhere to every single clause of our Code of Conduct. It may also be mentioned that the
executive council, Equity Board, and any members of management still have the power to act
on any actions deemed inappropriate even if they are not explicitly mentioned in the Code of
Conduct. This discretion is available to them at any point throughout the event if they feel unjust
behaviors or rights of a participant have been breached in any way.

For further queries and assistance, you can always contact :

M. Ammar Faisal (Event Co Head) +923444318229

Areeba Imran (Event Co Head) +923094471691

Khawaja Abdul Rafay (Director Equity) +923114140486

Novera Jamil (Deputy Director Equity) +923113113102