The academic integrity policies of the Open Learning Platform of the Institute of Research, Studies, and Consulting at the University of Baha reflect the systems and regulations adopted to ensure the educational standards required for trainee qualification. These systems encompass attendance tracking, grade monitoring, trainee assessment, and exam completion verification — culminating in the issuance of a completion certificate upon fulfillment of all program requirements.
Academic integrity is a fundamental pillar of the e-learning system and distance learning programs. All trainees are required to acknowledge and commit to its rules and conditions prior to enrolling in any training program.
First: Fraud Prevention and Data Misuse Controls
- Trainees must acknowledge and commit to anti-fraud and data misuse rules before sitting any exam.
- Exams are designed to balance fairness and randomness through comprehensive question banks covering all learning outcomes.
- Applied projects and oral assessments are emphasized as core evaluation methods.
- Each digital exam form is unique and contains questions not previously accessible to trainees.
- Photographing questions, communicating with others, or using unauthorized sources during exams is strictly prohibited.
- Technical solutions are applied to prevent running other programs or copying exam content during assessment.
- Exam instructions including rules and penalties are displayed to trainees before commencement.
- All integrity violation cases are reviewed by specialists to ensure assessment quality and fairness.
Second: Violations
Violations include, but are not limited to:
- Impersonating another trainee to access an exam.
- Any conduct that negatively affects the exam process or disrupts its order.
- Misconduct toward fellow trainees or supervisors.
- Obtaining or attempting to obtain exam questions before the scheduled time.
- Attempting to view questions or submit answers before the exam begins or after time has expired.
- Unauthorized communication with others during the exam by any means.
- Using unauthorized printed or electronic information sources during the exam.
- Sharing exam questions or answers with others or assisting another trainee in cheating.
- Using unauthorized devices such as phones, recording tools, or notes.
- Photographing or copying exam questions by any means.
- Non-compliance with supervisor instructions such as refusing to activate the camera or repeatedly violating guidelines.
Forms of Academic Integrity Violations
- Cheating: Using others' work or information without authorization.
- Plagiarism: Using others' texts or ideas without referencing original sources.
- Misuse of Academic Assistance: Copying colleagues' work without their knowledge or consent.
- Exploitation of Collaboration: Relying on others to complete individual assignments.
- Fabrication and Forgery: Altering information or submitting falsified documents.
- Identity Impersonation: Claiming another person's identity in exams or assignments.
Third: Penalties
Upon confirmed violation, one or more of the following measures may be applied:
- An official written warning recorded in the trainee's file.
- Prohibition from sitting the exam.
- The trainee being considered as failed in one or more subjects.
- Cancellation of related previous exam results.
- Prohibition from sitting exams for a period of up to one year.
- Suspension or expulsion in serious cases.
Fourth: Investigation and Penalty Procedures
- The exam supervisor prepares an official record detailing the violation and statements from all parties involved.
- The record is submitted to the Examinations Committee within four working days of the incident.
- An independent investigation committee is formed to gather evidence and question all parties fairly and transparently.
- The trainee's full right to defense and evidence submission is guaranteed throughout the process.
- The committee prepares a detailed report including findings and recommendations, submitted to the relevant authority.
- The administration issues the final decision and the trainee is notified of the penalty.
Violation Reporting Mechanisms
The platform provides a confidential and secure reporting system that guarantees the protection of reporters' identities, with access to designated administrators through official communication channels.
Promoting Academic Integrity Culture
The platform seeks to embed a culture of integrity through:
- Providing guidance and orientation to new trainees upon program enrollment.
- Respecting intellectual property rights across all educational materials.
- Encouraging active attendance and genuine engagement throughout the training period.
- Accessing the platform within designated times and adhering to program schedules.
- Issuing certificates based on actual attendance and full completion of all program requirements.