Abstract:

Academic integrity has long been a concern at institutions of learning across the globe.
With the proliferation of “American style” , “Western, liberal arts” education and the adherent quest on the parts of many to seek and secure international accreditation, the issue of academic integrity has received more attention than ever before. While some problems with honesty in academic conduct among students have been acknowledged for some time and remedies sought to combat issues of dishonesty, issues of integrity among the teaching corps, the staff, as well as institutional integrity in fostering and enforcing integrity and providing an environment which would make integrity and ethical behavior part of the institutional DNA seems to be lagging

“Academic Integrity” is so much more than punishing students caught plagiarizing.
This discussion will point to flaws in the institutional underpinnings required to ensure and promote institutional honesty and integrity and points to areas that an institution can focus on to foster and require integrity THROUGHOUT the organization. It discusses some of the dilemmas found in any institution, and some particular to certain locals and suggests practical steps that can be taken to bring each institution and the field of education a step closer to real integrity in the hallowed halls.

Keywords:

Academic Integrity, Institutional Integrity, Accreditation, Ethics, Quality Assurance Assessment.