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Cheating in school is an age-old problem, but new technologies have made it easier. Mobile phones in particular allow students to peek at notes during exams, text their friends for homework answers, or even use AI apps to solve a problem. In today’s digitally connected world, ensuring the integrity of exams has become an even tougher challenge. From sophisticated plagiarism detection software to solutions leveraging facial recognition and eye-tracking technology, educators and institutions are deploying various measures to combat cheating. But is it enough to safeguard the integrity of exams?

The Hanoi University of Science and Technology has introduced comprehensive regulations on academic integrity. These regulations apply to all members of the university community, including officials, civil servants, lecturers, and students. Decision 12160/QD-DHBK emphasizes the importance of respecting others' ideas, avoiding plagiarism, and adhering to ethical standards in scientific research. It prohibits the buying and selling of research results and prohibits the misuse of power or resources to gain unfair advantages in research endeavors. The university also enforces integrity standards in research and training collaborations, ensuring compliance with intellectual property rights agreements. A Scientific Integrity Advisory Council has been established to assess violations, with disciplinary actions ranging from internal sanctions to legal consequences depending on the severity of the offense.

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.

In Pakistan, urgent reforms are needed to protect academic integrity and prevent the exploitation of marginalized individuals by those in power. Instances abound of professors, policy experts, and retired state officials plagiarizing the work of assistants, students, and junior professionals. For instance, at a prestigious institution in Islamabad, a Star Professor plagiarized the work of a former student and colleague and escaped consequences due to institutional support.

A survey of 1,054 students in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia found that 92% of students had some knowledge of academic integrity issues, from how to avoid plagiarism, to the consequences of cheating, to where to get help with references. The majority had heard about these issues from a member of the academic staff, showing a promising trend towards open communication within institutions about academic integrity. There were differences between male and female respondents, with male students being more aware of the workshops offered by their university while female students were more familiar with the concept of avoiding plagiarism. The survey also highlights the importance of academic integrity and provides useful information for educators.

With exams just around the corner, students from Bournemouth University talk about what academic integrity means to them, how using it means they get better marks, how to avoid committing an academic offence and where to get help when they need it.

To ensure academic integrity and prevent plagiarism, the Paris Institute of Political Studies has banned the use of ChatGPT, the new chatbot capable of instantly writing essays. Without transparent referencing, students are forbidden to use the software for any written work or presentations, except for specific course purposes. The sanctions for use of the software may go as far as exclusion from the institution.