In the media

As academic integrity breaches rise by 313%, universities are changing their policies to deal with those linked to the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Changes include reducing conduct panels and speeding up case resolution to maintain trust and accountability while adapting to technological challenges. Despite concerns about fairness, the universities stress their commitment to maintaining due process rights. Approved changes to the Honour Code allow for proctoring, reflecting efforts to address integrity issues.

Education Cabinet Secretary raised concerns about school heads potentially inflating candidate numbers for national examinations in Kenya. Similar concerns were raised during the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam, where 9,354 students registered but did not sit the exam. To curb "ghost candidates, this year KCSE registration will be done based on the data in the National Education Management Information System.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is advocating for a national plagiarism policy to uphold academic integrity and deter plagiarism. The commission's 49th annual report for 2022 highlights the need for such a policy, given the absence of effective tools to detect plagiarism in Bengali research and the lack of a plagiarism policy in Bangladeshi universities. The UGC also proposes a 'VC pool' system to ensure transparent appointments of Vice-Chancellors, Pro Vice-Chancellors, and treasurers in both public and private universities.

British universities and private pathway providers for international students face accusations of admitting overseas students with lower entry requirements compared to domestic counterparts. This has prompted concerns about fairness and transparency in admissions practices with foreign students sometimes paying up to £38,000 (US$48,000) in tuition fees as opposed to no more than £9,250 (US$11,700) for UK students. The controversy highlights issues around pathways such as International Year One programs and the role of agents in recruitment, sparking calls for more ethical approaches and greater scrutiny in international student recruitment.

The draft law on universities is facing opposition from academics who argue it allows political interference, compromising educational quality. The proposed legislation would grant political figures such as the education minister and provincial chief minister’s significant roles in university governance, contrary to calls for academic autonomy. Critics advocate for academic autonomy and a board of trustees composed of experts. The law proposes the replacement of the University Grants Commission with a High-Level Education Commission chaired by the Minister of education.

Students who cheat in exams could now face fines of up to AED200,000.

The conviction of an executive from an unregistered university marks a significant step in Malawi's efforts to combat illegal higher education institutions. The official operating unregistered universities was fined and faces imprisonment for offering fake qualifications. While civil society organizations advocate for more arrests and consequences for employers recognizing qualifications from such institutions, the conviction underscores the importance of regulatory enforcement to maintain educational integrity. Calls for a National Qualification Authority Bill aim to strengthen regulatory frameworks, yet progress remains uncertain.

A committee in Nigeria, led by the Minister of Education, is investigating degree racketeering and degree mills. Affiliated institutions in several countries are under scrutiny. The committee seeks to address breaches in the accreditation process for both local and foreign universities, following revelations of fraudulent practices highlighted in an investigative report. Experts suggest improving accreditation processes and public awareness to combat the issue.

Two Norwegian politicians face plagiarism accusations regarding their master's theses, leading to investigations by their universities. The scandals have sparked debates over academic integrity, with calls for stricter penalties for plagiarism. The incidents have also raised concerns about the treatment of students versus politicians and the need for national regulations on plagiarism. Experts stress the importance of promoting ethical research norms and integrity within universities.

The former Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has welcomed the Ministry of Education's decision to ask parents to pay school fees for students in national schools via the e-Citizen platform. This new government initiative aims to improve service delivery, bring transparency and protect both students and parents. However, some are expressing concern about the practical challenges and the country's state of readiness for such a digital transition