E-Learning Integrity Policy
Academic Integrity Policies and Regulations
The term "academic integrity" reflects the policies and regulations followed by the Center to achieve an educational level that guarantees the required qualifications for the trainee. The Center will establish systems to record attendance, track grades, and measure trainees' level and understanding. Examinations will also be verified, and a certificate of attendance will be issued to trainees upon completion of the course curriculum and attendance of all lectures.
Participation in continuing education and practical exercises is a foundation of integrity. The trainer will prepare these exercises according to the established training plan. Therefore, academic integrity is an important part of the e-learning system and distance learning programs at the Kan Training Center. The Center expects all students to adhere to the rules and regulations, as well as the academic integrity requirements mentioned above, especially since all students are familiarized with the Center's regulations before enrolling in the course.
Kan Training Center works to promote the academic integrity of its e-learning and distance learning programs through:
First: Methods used to prevent fraud and misuse of personal information:
• The trainee accepts and acknowledges the rules and penalties for combating fraud and misuse of others' personal information before the exam.
• Designing tests that combine randomness and fairness, where questions are selected from pre-prepared banks and stores to cover learning outcomes. Answering methods are based not on memorization and recall, but rather on comprehension and learning.
• Focusing on projects and oral tests during assessment.
• Each digital test is unique and contains new, previously unsolved questions whose answers are not available in books and manuals.
• Prohibiting you from taking pictures of questions, communicating with others, or using unauthorized sources.
• A comprehensive information campaign is conducted for students and teachers about the regulations and penalties for fraud and identity theft.
• Using technical solutions, such as using a browser to prevent other programs from opening on the desktop during the test and copying the test.
• All incidents of breaching acceptable conduct are reviewed by faculty, academic integrity experts, and technical experts to ensure the quality of the assessment process.
• Displaying the test instructions screen to the student during the test, including all rules, regulations, and penalties for cheating and impersonation.
Second: Violations:
· Impersonating another person to take the test on their behalf or arranging with another person to take the test on their behalf.
· Committing any behavior that would negatively affect the progress of the test, whether for the purpose of cheating or for any other reason.
· Misconduct toward any of their colleagues or test supervisors.
· Obtaining or attempting to obtain test questions before the test begins by any means.
· Viewing or attempting to view and answer test questions before the test supervisor authorizes the test to begin, or answering or attempting to answer questions after the allotted time has elapsed.
Committing any act of cheating during the test, including, for example:
· Unauthorized contact (by the test supervisor) with others
· Accessing or attempting to access any information sources, whether paper or electronic (such as books and notes) during the test.
· Disclosing or attempting to disclose test questions or answers to another trainee.
· Assisting or attempting to assist another trainee in committing any act of cheating during the test.
· Attempting to use any unauthorized materials, means, or devices during the test (such as mobile devices, recording devices, or papers related to the test material).
· Photographing test questions or extracting test questions by any means.
· Failure to comply with the instructions of the test administrator or the test supervisor regarding the organization of the test, such as refusing to turn on the test taker's personal camera or failing to stop violating behavior that has been warned by the test supervisor.
Third: Penalties:
In the event of any violation of the examination rules, the violator shall be subject to one or more of the following penalties:
· A warning prohibiting the violator from taking the examination.
· The applicant shall be deemed to have failed some or all of the examination subjects.
· The applicant's results in previous examinations shall be cancelled.
· Banning the applicant from taking examinations for one or more sessions, provided that the ban does not exceed one year.
· This clause is considered an integral part of the integrity laws and is added at the end of the document.
Fourth: Investigation Procedures and Imposition of Penalties:
The following procedures shall be followed in the investigation and imposition of penalties against the violator:
· If the violation involves cheating or relates to the organization of the examination, the examination supervisor shall prepare a report detailing the violation and requesting the violator(s) and those who witnessed the incident to write their statements regarding the violation to be submitted to the examination committee. The report is signed by the test supervisor and the test supervision team. The test supervision team submits the report, along with the statements of the concerned parties, to the head of the examination committee within four working days of the violation.
The examination committee investigates the violation. The investigation committee prepares an investigation report. The committee submits the investigation report and its recommendations to the examination committee regarding the proven violation and the appropriate penalty.
If a violation is proven, the examination committee submits the findings and recommendations of the investigation committee, along with evidence of the case, to the relevant department.
Penalty decisions are issued by the relevant department. If the department's decision to impose a penalty becomes final, the person against whom the penalty is imposed will be notified of the violation committed and the penalty imposed.
Forms of Violation of Training and Academic Integrity: Plagiarism
• There are many forms of behavior that are considered a violation of the standards and principles of academic integrity. The following are the anti-cheating policies, some of which are listed below, but not limited to:
• Cheating: Trainees are prohibited from copying the work of others and from unauthorized use of any notes, information, or materials in assigned tasks.
• Plagiarism/Plagiarism: Quoting phrases and works of others and unauthorized use of intellectual and literary blogs or any information in any academic test without citing them as a reference.
• Misuse of Academic Assistance: A trainee exploits the work of a colleague with good intentions, such as copying from a special report prepared by the trainee or from an old test, without informing the trainee.
• Exploitation Collaboration: A trainee relies on another trainee in their group to complete a shared assignment/work, or exploits another trainee to complete individual assignments.
• Fabrication and Forgery: A trainee alters information available to them, fabricates information in a test/academic assignment, or presents a false medical certificate in order to be absent.
• Impersonation: A trainee pretends to be someone else in class, on a test or exam, or in any type of training or academic assignment. In this case, both the impersonating trainee and the one whose identity is being impersonated are punished.
Specific Procedures for Investigating Integrity Violations:
• Forming an Investigation Committee:
A specialized and independent investigation committee is appointed by the center's management.
The committee consists of members with experience in the field of training and integrity, provided they are not connected to the case being analyzed.
• Steps for Gathering Evidence:
The committee determines the evidence required to investigate the violation, whether electronic or paper.
Screen captures, video recordings, emails, and any relevant physical evidence are considered part of the investigation.
• Interrogation of those involved:
The committee determines and sets a timetable for interrogating those involved, ensuring that this is conducted fairly and transparently.
Precise questions are asked about the charges and the questioning is conducted in a manner that allows for understanding every aspect of the case.
Ensuring Transparency:
• Investigation sessions are recorded in writing to ensure transparency and document evidence.
• Session dates and participants are announced to maintain integrity and transparency.
• Rights of those involved:
The rights of those involved must be guaranteed during the investigation process, including their right to present a defense and understand the charges against them.
They must have the right to defend themselves and present evidence proving their innocence.
• Submission of the Investigation Report:
After the investigation is complete, the committee prepares a detailed report containing its findings and recommendations.
The report is submitted to the relevant authority and includes recommendations regarding penalties if a violation is proven.
These procedures aim to ensure a fair, transparent, and reliable investigation into cases of integrity violations, while respecting the rights of all stakeholders.
Effective Mechanisms for Reporting Integrity Violations
Confidential and Secure Reporting System:
This system is designed to ensure the confidentiality of information and protect the identity of the whistleblower by communicating with a competent administrator through communication channels.
Punishments that may be taken against those involved or proven to be cheating:
Electronic Written Warning:
In first-time or minor cases, an electronic written warning is sent to the trainee involved, explaining the seriousness of the behavior and requesting them to refrain from repeating it.
Exam Suspension:
The penalty of suspending the trainee from taking the exam for the current session or for a specified period of time.
Deeming the exam ineligible:
If it is proven that the trainee has committed a major and serious violation, the exam results may be deemed ineligible, and they are therefore considered to have failed that subject or course.
Voiding Results of Previous Courses:
In the event of repeated violations, results of previous courses may be nullified, the accredited certificate may be revoked, and additional penalties may be imposed.
Ban from taking exams for a specific period:
Issuing a penalty that prohibits the offender from taking exams for a specific period.
Issuing a formal warning:
Issuing a formal warning that is recorded in the student's record, and may be repeated in the event of repeated violations.
Expulsion or Suspension:
In serious cases, a decision may be made to expel the offender from the courses or suspend them for a specific period.
Kon Training Center works to achieve academic integrity in its online distance learning programs by:
Providing guidance and counseling to new trainees and encouraging them to complete the required lessons.
Adhering to intellectual property principles.
Attending and interacting with the trainer during training sessions.
Taking exams without consulting external sources.
Accessing the platform at the scheduled time for the course.
Each trainee is awarded a certificate based on their course attendance.
For inquiries and guidance:
Telephone number: 966543287798