* These Regulations shall apply to all membership elections conducted by the Foundation

1. Short Title and Authority

1.1 These Regulations shall be called the Membership Regulations of Bu Ali Seena Foundation.

1.2 These Regulations are framed under the powers conferred by the Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860, read with the Memorandum and Rules of the Foundation, and shall govern the election, promotion, and regulation of membership.

2.Objects of Membership

2.1 Membership of the Foundation is intended to recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding, original, and sustained professional achievement in disciplines relevant to the Foundation’s objectives.

2.2 Membership is honorific and selective, and is not open to the general public, nor obtainable by application, fee payment, subscription, or length of service alone.

3.Fundamental Principles Governing Membership

All membership decisions shall be governed by the following principles:

a) Merit and distinction, based on documented professional contribution
b) Peer judgment, exercised by recognized experts in the relevant field
c) Independence and originality of contribution
d) Integrity, ethics, and professional standing
e) Uniformity, transparency, and procedural fairness

4.Classes of Membership

4.1 Associate Membership

Associate Membership may be conferred upon individuals who have demonstrated emerging independent professional activity of recognized quality within a relevant discipline.

4.2 Full Membership

Full Membership is a distinction conferred by election upon individuals who have:

• Established a record of sustained and independent contribution, and
• Demonstrated recognized influence or impact in their field, and
• Been evaluated and approved by a committee of experts in accordance with these Regulations.

4.3 Promotion from Associate to Full Membership

Promotion shall not be automatic and shall require fresh nomination and full peer review, identical in standard to initial election to Full Membership.

5.General Eligibility Conditions (All Membership Classes)

No person shall be eligible for election unless the Committee is satisfied that the individual has:

a) Demonstrated professional integrity and ethical conduct
b) Produced work relevant to the Foundation’s disciplinary scope
c) Made contributions beyond academic degree requirements
d) Provided verifiable evidence of independent professional achievement

6.Specific Eligibility Criteria

6.1 Associate Membership

Evidence may include:

• Independent scholarly, technical, clinical, or applied work
• At least one substantial professional output, such as a supervised publication, formal report, technical innovation, or equivalent contribution

6.2 Full Membership (Outstanding Achievement Standard)

Candidates shall be assessed holistically. Evidence may include, but is not limited to:

• Sustained contributions evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, applied research, innovations, clinical advancements, or professional practice of recognized value
• Demonstrable influence, such as citation, adoption, implementation, licensing, policy use, or professional integration by others
• Professional recognition, including invited lectures, editorial or reviewer roles, leadership appointments, competitive awards, or honors
• Independent expert assessments from recognized professionals outside the candidate’s immediate institution, where required
• A coherent record demonstrating originality, independence, and impact

Academic theses or dissertations alone shall not be sufficient.

7.Nomination Process

7.1 Right to Nominate

a) Candidates for Full Membership may be nominated only by existing Full Members or Fellows (if constituted).
b) Self-nomination is not permitted.

7.2 Nomination Dossier

Each nomination shall include:

• A signed nomination letter detailing the nominee’s outstanding achievements
• A current curriculum vitae
• A representative evidence set of key contributions
• A candidate statement describing the originality and significance of contributions
• Independent assessments or referee contacts, where required for verification

8.Committee on Membership and Professional Standards

8.1 The Governing Body shall constitute a Committee on Membership and Professional Standards, composed of individuals of recognized standing and expertise.

8.2 The Committee may appoint ad hoc expert reviewers for specialized or interdisciplinary nominations.

9.Conflict of Interest

9.1 Any member having a conflict of interest—including collaboration, reporting relationships, financial interest, or family relationship—shall declare such conflict and recuse themselves.

9.2 All disclosures and recusals shall be recorded in writing.

10.Review and Election Procedure

10.1 Preliminary Scrutiny

The Secretariat shall verify completeness and eligibility before review.

10.2 Expert Peer Review

Each Full Membership nomination shall be reviewed by not fewer than two independent experts, selected for disciplinary relevance.

10.3 Evaluation Criteria

Review shall consider:

• Originality and independence
• Impact and influence
• Quality and rigor
• Professional recognition
• Ethical standing

10.4 External Verification

The Committee may seek independent verification where claims of impact or distinction require confirmation.

10.5 Decision and Voting

The Committee shall record a decision to:

a) Elect
b) Defer for additional evidence
c) Decline

Decisions shall be supported by a brief written rationale.

11.Effect of Election

11.1 Election to membership confers professional distinction but no automatic employment, remuneration, or entitlement.

11.2 Membership is not conditional upon payment of fees, subscriptions, or mandatory participation.

12.Records and Register

The Foundation shall maintain:

• Confidential nomination files
• Conflict-of-interest records
• Reviewer assessments
• An official Membership Register recording name, category, affiliation, and year of election

13.Confidentiality

All deliberations, materials, and reviews are strictly confidential and used solely for governance purposes.

14.Appeals

Appeals, if permitted, shall be limited to procedural irregularities or material factual errors, and shall not re-evaluate academic judgment without new evidence.

15.Amendment

These Regulations may be amended by the Governing Body in accordance with the Act and the Rules of the Society.