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On September 15, the meeting of Political discussion club took place at the Research Centre for Regional Security on the topic of academic righteousness. Students, PhD and professors of the Sumy State University joined the discussion.

What is the academic righteousness?

According to the Law of Ukraine it isthe complex of ethical principals and regulations, by which the participants of educational process are controlled during their study, teaching and scientific research in order to provide the trust to their educational or scientific achievements”.

The deputy dean for academic affairs of Foreign Philology and Social Communications Faculty Olena Yevtushenko believes, that righteousness is first and foremost a trust, and unrighteousness is the problem of mentality in our society, which accepts it, because it makes an academic life easier in all directions.She added, that “One may come to the university to get a high quality education, but if one approves the academic unrighteousness, there is no way to get a high quality education at all”.

The director of Centre Nikolay Nazarov emphasized the direct link between the level of academic righteousness and security in the state. The high level of academic righteousness lowers the corruption rates and ensures the stable socioeconomic situation in the state. He also added that, the low level of academic righteousness affects the level of trust in society.

What are main criteria of academic righteousness?

  1. Honesty and the absence of any kind of cheating in educational process.
  2. Mutual trust between the professor and the student.
  3. Rightfulness, so that one gets what he or she deserves.
  4. Mutual respect
  5. Responsibility
  6. Accountability

Unfortunately, these criteria were not described in the law of Ukraine concerning the higher education.

How is it possible to get a new level of academic righteousness?

Firstly, this issue should be treated seriously. There should be some lectures on the topic, presentation of this information and warning about the negative consequences if there are any academic unrighteousness, including plagiarism, falsification of data used, bribery etc.

Secondly, we should bear in mind, that demand causes the offer. So, one should refuse any kind of bribery and do not give the students tasks beyond their specialty, which are impossible for them to do.

Thirdly, avoid the mentality of giving briberies in any kind of life situations.

 

Yana Dyryavska,

journalist

 

Olena Stovpak,

translator