Academic integrity as an element of forming students’ professional ethics

Abstract

Academic integrity is a fundamental element in shaping students’ professional ethics within the modern educational environment of Ukraine, as it ensures transparency, objectivity, and fairness in the process of acquiring knowledge and competencies. As a set of ethical norms and legally defined rules, academic integrity regulates the behavior of all participants in the educational process in the spheres of learning, teaching, and scientific activity, which guarantees trust in learning outcomes, the reliability of scientific research, and the positive reputation of higher education institutions. In the context of the modernisation of Ukraine’s educational system, its importance is increasing because it promotes the development of responsible, critically thinking, and professionally oriented individuals. According to Article 42 of the Law of Ukraine «On Education», academic integrity is considered a key component of the quality assurance system in higher education and determines the effectiveness of universities and the professional development of their students and graduates. Academic integrity also contributes to the formation of stable moral values among students that influence their future behaviour in their professional environment and stimulates the development of independent work skills and responsible attitudes toward the results of their own activities. Understanding its essence helps learners realise the importance of honestly acquiring knowledge, which further enhances their competitiveness in the labour market. A culture of integrity creates an atmosphere of mutual trust within the university community and contributes to improving the effectiveness of the educational process. In the conditions of the digitalisation of education, the principles of academic integrity gain even greater significance because they ensure the responsible use of information resources and support high standards of academic activity, which is an essential condition for the development of the modern higher education system in Ukraine.

Keywords: academic integrity; professional ethics; students; educational process; ethical principles; plagiarism; scientific integrity.