The Academic Integrity Policy of the Motqan Open Education Platform, affiliated with the Research and Consulting Institute at the University of Bisha, reflects a set of policies and regulations designed to ensure a fair and trustworthy learning environment that achieves the highest standards of quality in training and assessment.
The institute is committed to implementing advanced educational and technological systems that enable monitoring trainee attendance, evaluating their performance, and measuring their level of understanding of the training content. It also ensures that trainees successfully complete assessments and training activities according to the approved standards.
Upon completion of all training program requirements—including attending training sessions, completing the learning content, and passing the required assessments—participants are awarded a certificate of completion or attendance in accordance with the institute’s approved regulations.
Active participation in training activities and practical exercises prepared by the trainer according to the approved training plan is considered an essential component of academic integrity in e-learning and distance learning programs. All trainees are required to review and comply with the academic integrity policies before enrolling in any training program offered through the Motqan platform.
First: Fraud Prevention and Data Misuse Control Measures
The Motqan platform adopts several technical and organizational measures to ensure the integrity of assessments and examinations, including:
- Requiring trainees to acknowledge and agree to anti-fraud and data misuse policies before taking any examination.
- Designing examinations using structured mechanisms that ensure fairness and diversity through question banks covering the program’s learning outcomes.
- Incorporating applied projects and oral assessments as part of the evaluation methods.
- Generating unique digital exam versions for each trainee containing questions not previously available.
- Prohibiting photographing exam questions, communicating with others, or using unauthorized resources during exams.
- Raising awareness among trainees and trainers regarding academic integrity policies and penalties related to cheating or identity impersonation.
- Using technological solutions that prevent running other applications or copying exam content during the test.
- Reviewing all suspected violations of academic integrity by authorized personnel to maintain the quality of assessment.
- Clearly displaying exam instructions, including rules and penalties, before the test begins.
Second: Violations
Academic integrity violations may include, but are not limited to:
- Impersonating another trainee to access or take an exam.
- Engaging in any behavior that negatively affects the fairness or conduct of the examination.
- Misconduct toward fellow trainees or exam supervisors.
- Obtaining or attempting to obtain exam questions before the scheduled exam time.
- Attempting to view exam questions or answers before the exam begins or after the exam time has ended.
- Unauthorized communication with others during the exam.
- Using unauthorized sources of information, whether printed or electronic.
- Sharing exam questions or answers with others.
- Assisting another trainee in cheating or bypassing exam rules.
- Using unauthorized devices such as mobile phones, recording devices, or personal notes.
- Photographing or copying exam questions by any means.
- Failing to follow exam supervisor instructions, such as refusing to activate the camera or continuing to violate exam rules.
Third: Penalties
If a violation of academic integrity rules is confirmed, one or more of the following disciplinary actions may be applied:
- Issuing an official warning to the trainee.
- Preventing the trainee from taking the exam.
- Considering the trainee as failed in a course or training program.
- Canceling previous exam results.
- Banning the trainee from taking exams for a period that may extend up to one year.
Fourth: Investigation Procedures for Violations
Motqan follows clear and fair procedures to investigate academic integrity violations, including:
- The exam supervisor preparing an official report detailing the violation and available evidence.
- Submitting the report to the examination committee within four working days of the incident.
- The committee reviewing the case and conducting the necessary investigation.
- Preparing a detailed report including findings and recommendations.
- Submitting recommendations to the relevant administration for a final decision.
- Informing the trainee of the investigation outcome and any imposed penalties.
Fifth: Forms of Academic Integrity Violations
Common forms of academic integrity violations include:
- Cheating: Using others’ work or information without authorization.
- Plagiarism: Using text or ideas from others without proper citation.
- Misuse of academic assistance: Using or copying a colleague’s work without permission.
- Improper collaboration: Relying on others to complete individual assignments.
- Fabrication or falsification: Altering information or submitting false or forged documents.
- Identity impersonation: Pretending to be another individual in exams or assignments.
Sixth: Investigation of Academic Integrity Violations
When a potential violation is suspected, the following steps are taken:
- Establishing an independent investigation committee from the institute’s administration.
- Collecting relevant evidence such as screenshots, recordings, or messages.
- Hearing statements from all involved parties in a fair and transparent manner.
- Officially documenting all investigation procedures.
- Allowing the trainee the right to defend themselves and provide evidence.
- Preparing a final report that includes findings and recommendations.
Seventh: Reporting Academic Integrity Violations
The Motqan platform provides secure channels for reporting suspected academic integrity violations, including:
- A confidential reporting system that protects the identity of whistleblowers.
- Direct communication with relevant administrative departments through official channels.
- Submitting reports through approved electronic reporting forms.
Eighth: Possible Disciplinary Actions
Disciplinary actions that may be applied in cases of violations include:
- Issuing a written official warning.
- Temporary suspension from examinations.
- Declaring the exam result invalid.
- Canceling results of previous training programs.
- Suspension from examinations for a specified period.
- Recording an official warning in the trainee’s academic record.
- Suspension or dismissal in severe cases.
Ninth: Promoting Academic Integrity
Motqan seeks to promote a strong culture of academic integrity among trainees by:
- Providing guidance and orientation to new trainees about integrity policies.
- Respecting intellectual property rights for educational and scientific content.
- Encouraging active attendance and participation in training activities.
- Completing exams and assignments independently without unauthorized assistance.
- Accessing the platform and attending sessions according to scheduled times.
- Issuing certificates only after trainees complete all program requirements.