ACADEMIC INTEGRITY IN EDUCATIONAL PROCESS OF PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY: MANAGERIAL ASPECT

Abstract

The article outlines the problem of academic integrity, identifies the main mechanisms, tools of academic integrity, and their compliance with European standards. Academic integrity plays an essential role in ensuring the quality of education. Compliance with its principles in the educational process of a higher education institution affects not only the quality of training, but also the formation of fundamental values of future professionals. Academic integrity within the community of a pedagogical university is based on the understanding by all its members the need to adhere to the principles of academic integrity, which enhance trust between the university and employers, customers of educational and research services, sponsors and other stakeholders. The article describes the experience of implementing principles of academic integrity in Ternopil National Pedagogical University (TNPU) where they have developed normative documents, the strategy and tactics for the participants of the educational process to follow academic integrity. The University promotes academic integrity through the implementation of the policies in the internal quality culture and employs managerial decisions as tools to combat violations of academic integrity. To better understand and update issues of academic integrity in the academic community the process of future professionals training quality management is constantly monitored, and lectures, seminars, and trainings are regularly held in TNPU. Annually students and teachers sign a declaration of academic integrity. TNPU informs the students about control measures; assessment is carried out on the basis of objectivity; standards and procedures for academic integrity are clear and comprehensible; control is implemented through managerial decisions. Introduction of student-centered learning practices, involvement of students in tasks assessment and discussion, end-to-end assessment of courses, reflection on achievements, conducting lectures and seminars of different types, individual work helps prevent academic dishonesty and improve the students’ motivation. Academic integrity has been shown as an essential component in enhancing the quality of educational programs and the internal quality assurance system in general. Adherence to the principles of academic integrity develops confidence in learning outcomes, promotes academic mobility, increases the competitiveness of graduates in the labor market, ensures success in developing careers.