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.

14 academic and administrative staff members from the Official University of Bukavu in Congo have been dismissed after an internal audit revealed they possessed forged certificates and academic titles. The former rector has been accused of nepotism, after hiring several family members based on family acquaintances while violating normal recruitment processes.

The central figure in the scam in which wealthy parents paid huge sums to cheat on standardised tests has been sentenced to three and a half years in Federal prison. The mastermind of the sprawling college admissions scam known as Operation Varsity Blues pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, money laundering, and conspiracy

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.

An investigation found nearly 170 residents who allegedly defrauded subsidies from the Continuing Education Development Plan, which involved over MOP1 million. Between 2016 and 2019, two staff members attracted residents to apply to the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau for the Continuing Education Development Plan and apply for subsidised courses. The centre reported untrue attendance records and colluded with instructors and students to forge attendance records while the students received cash rebates amounting to half of the subsidies paid or took other courses held by the centre for free.

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. 

A survey of 2,000 university students and 500 employees conducted by the Center for the Development of Youth Activism (CROA), found every fourth student has had an encounter with corruption - such as paying for a better grade. In addition to bribes and coerced textbook purchases, some students were pressured to join political parties and extorted for sexual favours. CROA is not only passing on the complaints to universities for a follow-up investigation, but is also planning anti-corruption training for professors, staff, and students. And it is working to include conflict of interest in universities’ codes of ethics.