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A Professor from the University of Fort Hare faces accusations of failing to address plagiarism in the theses of nine postgraduate students under his supervision. A confidential report revealed that he knew about the plagiarism but only advised students to 'reduce' it. This has sparked concerns about the University's commitment to academic standards and raised questions about the quality of the supervision. Despite the findings, the professor remains employed, leading to debate.

The University of Oxford in the United Kingdom has announced a new policy for staff that bans any close personal relationship with students that “transgresses the boundaries of professional conduct”. This comes as regulator the Office for Students works on its regulations for staff-student relationships, launching a consultation on regulating harassment and sexual misconduct in higher education.

South Korea’s Ministry of Education is planning to strengthen measures related to school bullying records and their consideration during university admission applications after the appointment of a new national investigation chief was cancelled following revelations that he was involved in a lawsuit against his son’s forced school transfer for bullying.

Corrupt offences committed in the education sector in Madagascar involve professional abuse, abuse of influence, unlawful gifts, favoritism, and conflicts of interest. Students bribe their teachers to obtain better grades or admission to a higher class. The conference on ‘Strengthening integrity and fighting corruption in higher education’ organized by the Graduate School for Economic and Social Development, and the Independent Anti-Corruption Bureau is a call for students, directors, and teachers to be made aware and educated about the fight against corruption.

Most PhD holders in Morocco do not trust universities' processes for recruiting assistant professors due to suspicions of political affiliation, nepotism, and bribery. 80% of PhD holders indicated that the existence of several unethical practices is the main reason behind their lack of trust, including political affiliation (86%), bribery (68.3%), relationship, affinity, and family relations (48.8%). Over 88% of those who obtained their PhDs in the past year said they had not had a chance to go through the oral recruitment interview, with only 3% saying they had two interviews.

The Government will introduce a new bill aimed at tackling growing incidences of sexual harassment in Nigerian higher education institutions. It prescribes imprisonment of up to 14 years for any academic found guilty of sexual misconduct against students. According to a World Bank survey, 70% of female graduates from Nigerian tertiary institutions were sexually harassed in school by their course-mates and lecturers. It shows the need to strengthen mechanisms in universities and other higher institutions in Nigeria to monitor the activities of both lecturers and students.

Findings from an investigation into cases of sexual harassment in universities in Nigeria have revealed that male students are ahead of their lecturers in sexual harassment and rape of their female counterparts. The report stated that there was also grossly under-reported sex for promotion and gender-based violence among staff. The major reason for not reporting is a lack of knowledge of where to go and who to tell, the expectation of not being believed, followed by fear of negative consequences.

New Ontario legislation will ban non-disclosure agreements so professors cannot hide a history of sexual misconduct when applying to other universities or colleges. It will give schools rights to fire staff when they are found to have abused a student – and stop them from being rehired.

The Rwanda Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) has ordered the temporary closure of Rwanda Polytechnic Regional College Kigali, in order to investigate serious cases of theft and misappropriation of public resources. According to sources, college equipment allegedly disappeared, and top officials and several employees involved in the management of the institution have been interrogated and arrested.

According to a report from TI Rwanda, female students are asked for sexual favours in exchange for marks and are often subjected to gender-based corruption when writing their dissertations. The report reveals that sexual harassment in universities is still prevalent and includes sexually suggestive language, sexual extortion by superiors and pressure to perform sexual favours in return for opportunities. The leadership structures of universities are advised to put in place measures to identify and punish any gender-based issue and protect informants when cases arise.