Academic Integrity Policy
1.1 This Academic Integrity Policy at NJSC Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (hereinafter referred to as the Policy) establishes the principles and standards of academic conduct at NJSC Al–Farabi Kazakh National University (hereinafter referred to as the University) and is aimed at creating a culture of honesty, trust, and responsibility in educational and research activities.
1.2 The Policy aims to ensure the fairness and transparency of academic processes, protect intellectual property and the results of scientific activity, and strengthen confidence in the University's learning and research outcomes among the academic community, employers, and society.
1.3 Compliance with the principles of academic integrity at the University is a mandatory and necessary condition for maintaining the University's academic reputation and trust in the results of its educational and research activities at national and international levels.
1.4 This Policy has been developed in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, international principles of academic and research integrity, as well as internal policies and regulations of the University (the list of acts is provided in Appendix 1).
1.5 The requirements of this Policy apply to students, staff, managers, and employees of the University's structural divisions, as well as other persons involved in the University's educational research and methodological activities.
2.1 Academic culture – a system of values, norms of behavior, and traditions of the university community based on respect for knowledge, scientific integrity, academic freedom, and adherence to the principles of academic integrity.
2.2 Academic ethics – a set of moral norms and rules of professional behavior of participants in the educational and scientific process that regulate relations in the academic environment and ensure the integrity of educational and scientific activities.
2.3 Academic misconduct – the acquisition or attempt to obtain an unfair academic advantage, as well as assistance to others in obtaining such an advantage in educational or scientific activities.
2.4 Academic integrity – a set of principles and norms of ethical conduct in educational, research, and administrative activities, including the prevention of plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, collusion, and other forms of academic misconduct.
2.5 Academic literacy – a set of knowledge and skills necessary for the preparation and presentation of educational and scientific papers, including the ability to work with information sources, correctly cite and link references, and adhere to the principles of academic integrity.
2.6 Academic freedom – a set of rights granted to participants of the educational process to independently determine the content of education in elective courses, additional types of learning, and the organization of educational activities, in order to create conditions for the creative development of students and teachers, and for the use of innovative technologies and teaching methods.
2.7 The Academic Committee on the Quality of Teaching and Learning – a collegial advisory body of the University staff that coordinates methodological support for ensuring and improving the quality of teaching and learning, including analysis of educational practices, monitoring of students’ learning outcomes, and consideration of the results of internal and external assessments of the educational process.
2.8 Generative artificial intelligence – software systems based on machine learning algorithms that can automatically create text, images, program code, or other information materials based on user–defined queries.
2.9 Academic Affairs Department (AAD) – a structural unit of the University responsible for planning, organizing, and improving teaching and learning, based on monitoring, analysis, and quality assurance of educational activities.
2.10 Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) – a structural division of the university that implements and coordinates research and development (R&D) activities, as well as the training of highly qualified personnel.
2.11 Information System Univer (IS Univer) – an information and software complex Univer.kaznu.kz, which represents a comprehensive system for the administration and management of the University’s educational activities, covering the full cycle of the learning process.
2.12 Individual curriculum – a curriculum formed for each academic year by students independently with the help of an adviser, based on the educational program and the catalog of elective subjects and/or modules.
2.13 An educational program (EP) – a comprehensive set of basic characteristics of education, including its goals, outcomes, content, organization, methods of implementation, and criteria for evaluating learning outcomes.
2.14 Office of the Registrar – an academic service that records the history of students' academic achievements, organizes all types of knowledge control, calculates their academic rating, and monitors and analyzes the results of the interim assessment.
2.15 Educational and Methodological Complex of a Discipline (EMCD) – a set of educational and methodological documents that are necessary and sufficient for high-quality teaching and learning within a specific academic discipline. The EMCD includes: the syllabus; lecture notes/thematic materials for practical classes; methodological guidelines for practical, seminar, or laboratory sessions; a guide for students’ independent work; and the final assessment program for the discipline. The primary platform for hosting the EMCD is the Univer Information System.
2.16 Digital academic ethics – the norms of responsible and fair use of digital technologies in the educational and scientific activities of the University as a component of academic ethics.
The following values form the basis of the University's academic integrity:
- Honesty is the conscientious performance of academic and scientific work without deception and falsification.
- Trust is the formation of an academic environment based on mutual respect and trust between students and teachers.
- Equity – equal conditions for evaluating learning outcomes and scientific activities.
- Respect – recognition of the authorship and intellectual contribution of others.
- Responsibility is the awareness of each participant in the educational process of their role in maintaining academic integrity.
- Openness and transparency – clarity of the rules for teaching, evaluating, and conducting scientific research.
3.2 The University views academic integrity as the foundation of an academic culture that ensures the reliability of teaching outcomes, scientific research, and other academic activities.
3.3 The University creates an academic environment that prevents violations of academic integrity and provides conditions for conscientious learning, teaching, and scientific research.
3.4 All educational, scientific, analytical, and other academic work by students, teachers, and employees is carried out independently in compliance with the principles of academic honesty, including the proper use and citation of sources.
3.5 The University ensures the protection and confidentiality of assessment materials, including examination assignments, assessment results, and other information related to the procedures for monitoring students' academic achievements.
3.6 The use of digital technologies and models of generative artificial intelligence is permitted as an auxiliary tool for educational and scientific activities and should not lead to the substitution of independent academic activity and the author’s responsibility for the results of the work.
3.7 The procedure and conditions for the use of digital technologies and models of generative artificial intelligence by students, teachers, and employees of the University in the educational process are determined by the “Regulations on the use of artificial intelligence technologies at the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University” and the “Regulations on the procedure for checking text documents for plagiarism”.
3.8 Members of the university community do not permit the appropriation of others' intellectual results and are obliged to ensure the fair use of information sources.
3.9 The University uses modern tools to ensure academic integrity, including systems for checking borrowings and other means of identifying academic violations.
3.10 The staff promotes the development of a culture of academic integrity by adhering to its principles, ensuring transparency in the requirements for completing academic and research work, and ensuring objectivity in assessment.
3.11 Students are considered active participants in shaping a culture of academic integrity and are responsible for the conscientious completion of academic and research work, as well as for maintaining the academic reputation of the University.
3.12 Adherence to the principles of academic integrity is a shared responsibility of all members of the University community and is aimed at strengthening trust in the results of the University's educational, scientific and methodological activities.
3.13 The University ensures conditions for compliance with the principles of academic integrity and is responsible for the functioning of the system for ensuring it in educational, scientific, and methodological activities.
3.14 Matters related to academic integrity that are not covered by this Policy shall be governed by other internal policies and regulations of the University.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, the following actions.
4.1 Plagiarism – presenting another person’s text, ideas, data, or results as one’s own without proper citation, or using borrowed materials in a volume or form that casts doubt on the independence of the work.
4.2 Self-plagiarism – reusing one’s own previously submitted or published work without indicating that the material has been used before.
4.3 Cheating – using or copying another person’s materials, answers, or results while completing academic tasks or during assessment procedures.
4.4 Collusion (dishonest collaboration) – an agreement between participants in the educational process to complete academic work jointly with others, or completing work for another student in cases where the task must be done individually.
4.5 Data falsification/fabrication – falsifying, altering, or inventing data, research results, academic records, or other documents, as well as concealing or distorting information obtained during research.
4.6 Duplication of work – submitting the same work for assessment in different disciplines or courses without prior permission from the instructor.
4.7 Academic dishonesty – a form of fraud in which a student commissions, purchases, or otherwise obtains from a third party academic work or part of it, completed for a fee or on another basis, and presents it as the result of his or her own work.
4.8 Improper use of technology – using electronic devices, software, or generative artificial intelligence systems in violation of assignment requirements or without disclosure of their use.
4.9 Corrupt practices and conflicts of interest – attempts to influence assessment results or gain academic advantage through illegal agreements, rewards, or abuse of official position.
4.10 Obstruction of instructors and other students – actions that disrupt the normal course of classes or academic tasks, including interfering with instructors or other students, misleading participants, or damaging/altering assessed work and educational materials.
4.11 Other forms of inappropriate academic behavior – any actions that contradict the principles of academic integrity and are aimed at obtaining unfair academic advantage.
5.1 Academic staff have the right to:
- Require students to comply with principles of academic integrity.
- Establish criteria for completing academic tasks in accordance with the syllabus and other documents of the EMCD;
- Use software and technical tools to check the originality of academic and scientific works in accordance with the “Regulations on the procedure for checking text documents for plagiarism”.
- Reject work that violates academic integrity principles.
- Receive methodological and organizational support on academic integrity issues.
- Participate in the review of cases of academic integrity at a meeting of the Academic Committee on the Quality of Teaching and Learning of the Faculty.
- Protect their professional honor and dignity in dispute resolution.
5.2 Academic staff are obliged to:
- Comply with academic integrity principles in teaching, research, and methodological activities.
- Do not use the results of educational and scientific activities of students without reference to authorship.
- Ensure objectivity and transparency in the assessment of students’ academic achievements in accordance with the “Academic Policy”, the “Policy for the Assessment of Learning Outcomes” and other internal regulatory documents of the University.
- Explain the requirements for academic honesty to students when completing academic assignments and scientific research.
- Use the procedure for checking the originality of students’ written work, specified in the “Regulations on the procedure for checking text documents for plagiarism”.
- Inform students in a timely manner about assessment results and errors.
- Avoid subjectivity, discrimination, and conflicts of interest.
- Prevent violations of academic integrity and report any identified facts to the Faculty’s Academic Committee on the Quality of Teaching and Learning.
5.3 Students have the right to:
- Study in conditions that ensure academic integrity.
- Receive objective and transparent assessment.
- Access information about assessment criteria and procedures.
- Receive clarification of assignment requirements.
- Protection from unfounded accusations.
- Appeal assessment results according to established procedures.
- Respect for dignity and equal treatment regardless of background.
- Receive consultations on academic integrity.
5.4 Students are obliged to:
- Comply with the principles of academic integrity in study and research.
- Complete assignments independently unless otherwise specified.
- Correctly use sources of information and provide links to them.
- Do not allow plagiarism, cheating, falsification of data, fabrication of research results, and other violations of academic integrity.
- Comply with the rules for conducting current, midterm, and final controls, as well as final assessments.
- Do not use cheat sheets, cell phones, smart watches, or other technical means for unauthorized access to auxiliary information during current, midterm, and final assessments, as well as final certification; do not talk to other students or strangers; do not write down full names and/or other identification records in answers.
- Present reliable information and results of educational and scientific activities.
- Respect the rights and academic freedom of other participants in the educational process.
- Report any identified violations of academic integrity to the Faculty Ethics Committee/Council.
5.5 University employees have the right to:
- Propose improvements to the system of ensuring academic integrity in the AAD and DSI.
- Participate in events on academic integrity issues.
- Receive methodological and organizational support from the AAD and DSI.
- Protect their professional honor and dignity.
5.6 University employees are obliged to:
- Adhere to the principles of academic integrity in the performance of official duties.
- Ensure the accuracy and safety of documentation.
- Ensure confidentiality and prevent the disclosure of the personal data of students, teachers, and employees of the University.
- Prevent conflicts of interest.
- Report any identified violations of academic integrity to the AAD and DSI.
6.1 The University implements a system to prevent violations and promote an academic integrity culture.
6.2 The University develops students’ academic literacy skills, including academic writing, proper citation, and research ethics.
6.3 The University ensures transparency by providing open access to learning materials, infrastructure, regulations, and up-to-date course information through its IS Univer and official website.
6.4 The University uses systems for checking texts for unauthorized borrowing, technical bypasses, text generation, and other means of ensuring academic integrity when checking the written work of students in accordance with the “Regulations on the procedure for checking text documents for borrowing.”
6.5 Text created using generative artificial intelligence without specifying the source is considered a violation of academic integrity in accordance with the “Regulations on the use of artificial intelligence technologies at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University”.
6.6 The Farabi Proctoring System is used for testing and written online exams.
6.7 The Registrar's Office ensures that records of students' academic achievements are maintained and that academic results are reflected in the University's Univer IS in accordance with this Policy.
6.8 The University ensures an academic support system that includes:
- Support for high-achieving and research-oriented students.
- Assistance for students experiencing academic difficulties.
- Conditions for students with special educational needs.
- Other categories in need of support.
6.9 Academic Committees for the Quality of Teaching and Learning and Faculty Ethics Committees/Councils monitor and review cases of violation of academic integrity by staff and students, respectively.
6.10 AAD and DSI exercise control over and review cases of violations of academic integrity by employees of structural divisions participating in the University's educational and scientific activities.
6.11 The AAD and DSI ensure compliance with the principles of academic integrity by analyzing academic performance and appeal results, recording cases of academic integrity violations, and developing and implementing corrective measures to prevent them.
7.1 The identification and review of academic integrity violations are carried out based on the principles of objectivity, fairness, independence of consideration, and avoidance of conflicts of interest.
7.2 The review of alleged academic integrity violations is conducted in accordance with the principles of the presumption of good faith and the right to a fair hearing.
7.3 When reviewing cases of academic integrity violations, the nature of the violation, the degree of intent, the circumstances under which the violation was committed, as well as the presence or absence of prior violations, are taken into account.
7.4 Unintentional errors, differences in research approaches, research methodologies, or interpretation of results are not considered violations of academic integrity.
7.5 Facts regarding alleged violations of academic integrity may be identified by students, teachers, or employees of the University, as well as by other persons.
7.6 Anonymous requests are not considered as individual demands for the protection of rights, but may be used as grounds for conducting an internal investigation if sufficient data is available.
7.7 Individuals who report possible academic integrity violations shall not be subject to retaliation or adverse treatment in connection with such reporting.
7.8 The person who has identified an alleged violation of academic integrity shall prepare a report or written communication describing the circumstances of the incident and, if available, attach supporting materials.
7.9 The report or written message is sent to the dean of the faculty or the head of the relevant structural unit of the University.
7.10 The dean of a faculty or the head of a University department organizes an initial review of the submitted materials and, if warranted, forwards them to the faculty's Academic Committee for the Quality of Teaching and Learning for violations committed by faculty members. They may also forward them to the faculty Ethics Committees/Councils for student violations, or to the AAD and DSI for employee violations.
7.11 Faculty Academic Committees for the Quality of Teaching and Learning, Faculty Ethics Committees/Councils, the AAD, and DSI ensure that identified violations of academic integrity are recorded and documented, analyze the circumstances of the incident, and determine whether a violation of academic integrity occurred.
7.12 The person against whom a potential academic integrity violation is being considered has the right to:
- Provide explanations and evidence supporting their position.
- Submit additional materials.
- Involve witnesses or provide other supporting documents.
7.13 Decisions at meetings of the Academic Committees for the Quality of Teaching and Learning of Faculties, the Committees/Councils on Ethics of Faculties, the AAD and DSI are made taking into account the nature of the violation, the degree of intent, the circumstances under which it was committed, the presence of prior violations, as well as the principle of proportionality of the disciplinary measures applied, and are documented in the minutes.
7.14 The decisions constitute the basis for the adoption, by authorized officials or the Disciplinary Commission of the University, of disciplinary measures and other response measures provided for by this Policy and the University's internal regulatory documents, and are transferred to the AAD and DSI.
7.15 Disciplinary measures.
7.15.1 Disciplinary sanctions applied to employees or teachers:
- remark;
- reprimand;
- severe reprimand;
- termination of an employment contract at the initiative of the employer in cases stipulated by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
7.15.2 Disciplinary measures for students:
- warning;
- cancellation of the results of work, assignments, knowledge assessments or evaluations completed in violation of the principles of academic honesty;
- expulsion of the student;
- other measures provided for in the University's internal regulatory documents.
7.16 Remedial action for individuals whose academic work, ideas or materials have been misused:
- restoration of authorship and/or proper indication of the author;
- cancellation of assessment results obtained in violation of academic integrity;
- other measures provided for in the University's internal regulatory documents.
7.17 Measures to restore the rights of persons wrongly accused of violating academic integrity:
- reversal of the decision regarding the violation of academic integrity;
- restoration of assessment results, academic status, and other violated rights;
- other measures stipulated by the University's internal regulatory documents.
7.18 The imposition of a disciplinary sanction on an employee or teacher and the application of disciplinary measures to a student do not preclude the application of measures to restore the violated rights and legitimate interests of persons who have suffered as a result of a violation of academic integrity or an unfounded accusation of its commission, as provided for in paragraphs 7.16 and 7.17 of this Policy.
7.19 Decisions on the application of disciplinary measures are formalized by an order of the Chairman of the Board – the Rector of the University or the person acting in his/her capacity.
7.20 In cases stipulated by the University's internal regulatory documents, information about violations of academic integrity is entered into the personal files of students, staff, and employees.
7.21 The University conducts a systematic analysis of identified cases of academic integrity violations and the disciplinary measures applied in order to improve the educational process and prevent repeated violations.
7.22 Oversight of compliance with procedures for identifying and reviewing academic integrity violations is carried out by the AAD and DSI, and the Academic Control Service in accordance with the established procedure.
8.1 Scientific research and (or) experimental research activities at the University are carried out in compliance with the principles of academic honesty, norms of academic ethics and standards of scientific integrity established by the “Code of Ethics for Scientists” and other internal regulatory documents of the University.
8.2 The University ensures the prevention, detection, and warning of cases of fabrication and falsification of data, plagiarism, incorrect authorship, and other forms of unfair scientific activity, and also regulates the use of generative artificial intelligence tools in the conduct of scientific research.
8.3 During the scientific review and evaluation of research results, qualified experts are involved, taking into account their professional competence and adherence to the principles of independence, objectivity, and avoidance of conflicts of interest.
8.4 The results of scientific research, scientific publications, dissertations, and other scientific works prepared by students, teachers, and employees of the University are subject to verification for unauthorized borrowing and compliance with established requirements for the quality of scientific research, using specialized control systems.
8.5 The University conducts selective monitoring of compliance with the principles of academic integrity in scientific publications and the validity of research results, including analysis of compliance with requirements for authorship, citation, research methodology, and presentation of results.
8.6 Materials from scientific research and scientific examination are subject to documentation and storage in accordance with the University's internal regulatory documents, ensuring the possibility of subsequent verification and audit.
8.7 The University monitors compliance with the principles of academic integrity and scientific ethics, analyzes publication activity and research results, and reviews other forms of reporting.
8.8 Oversight of compliance with the principles of academic integrity, scientific ethics, and research quality in the University's activities is carried out by the Department of Science and Innovation in accordance with established procedures.
9.1 This Policy is reviewed and approved by the University Academic Council for a period not exceeding three (3) years. Upon the expiration of this period, the document shall be subject to revision.
9.2 The Policy may be updated prior to the established period in the event of changes in the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, international standards for ensuring academic integrity, or the University’s internal policies and regulations.
9.3 Decisions regarding the approval, amendment, supplementation, or repeal of this Policy are made at a meeting of the University Academic Council.
9.4 This Policy shall be published on the official website of the University and communicated to all participants in the educational process.
9.5 The University conducts periodic assessments of the effectiveness of this Policy's implementation based on the analysis of cases of academic integrity violations, monitoring of the educational process, and feedback from students, staff, and employees.
9.6 This Policy shall enter into force on the date of its approval by the University Academic Council.
9.7 Oversight of the updating of this Policy is assigned to the AAD.
1. The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Education” (No. 319-III dated July 27, 2007);
2. The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Science and Technological Policy” (No. 103-VIII dated July 1, 2024);
3. The Concept for the Development of Higher Education and Science in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2023–2029;
4. State Compulsory Standards of Higher and Postgraduate Education (Order of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 2 dated July 20, 2022);
5. Rules for Organizing the Educational Process under the Credit Technology of Education in Higher and (or) Postgraduate Education Institutions (Order of the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 152 dated April 20, 2011);
6. Standard Rules for the Activities of Higher and (or) Postgraduate Education Institutions (Order of the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 595 dated October 30, 2018);
7. Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG 2015);
8. The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity (International Center for Academic Integrity, 2021);
9. The Concordat to Support Research Integrity (Universities UK, 2019);
10. The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ALLEA, 2017; revised 2023);
11. Charter of the NJSC “Al-Farabi Kazakh National University” (Order of the Chairman of the State Property and Privatization Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 512 dated August 25, 2020);
12. Academic Policy of NJSC “Al-Farabi Kazakh National University”;
13. Code of Ethics of a Scientist of NJSC “Al-Farabi Kazakh National University”;
14. Code of Corporate Ethics of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University;
15. Student Honor Code of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University;
16. Regulations on the Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies at NJSC “Al-Farabi Kazakh National University” (approved by the decision of the Academic Council, Minutes No. 6 dated September 6, 2024);
17. Rules for Conducting Final Assessment of Students’ Academic Achievements at NJSC “Al-Farabi Kazakh National University”;
18. Regulations on the Procedure for Checking Text Documents for Plagiarism.
19. Instructions for conducting a final assessment using distance learning technologies.