On 7 May 2025, the Agency for Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska had the honour of chairing the meeting of the Global Academic Integrity Network (GAIN). Representative of the Agency opened the meeting, welcomed attendees, and expressed gratitude to the outgoing co-chairs, Gráinne Mooney (QQI) and Helen Gneil (TEQSA), for their contributions. She also announced the new co-chairs: Laura Flynn (QQI) and Lenka Ucnik (TEQSA).
The meeting commenced with an update on GAIN membership, highlighting recent inquiries and interest from various institutions seeking to join the network. The expansion of GAIN underscores the growing global commitment to upholding academic integrity. Representative of the Office of the Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures in Lithuania presented findings from the 2024 Responsible Research Barometer. The study revealed that while national guidelines on research ethics are well-known, instances of unethical behaviour are infrequently reported. Moreover, individuals who do report misconduct often do not witness positive outcomes, indicating a need for systemic changes to bolster trust in institutions and protect whistleblowers.
The second presentation was on the Student Perspective on Online Assessment, Academic Integrity and Ethical Practice that shared results from research conducted at University College Dublin, focusing on students' views regarding online assessments and academic integrity. The findings indicated that students often lack sufficient information about academic integrity policies, leading to unintentional breaches. The study emphasized the importance of clear communication and education to ensure students understand expectations and uphold ethical standards during online assessments.
Following the presentations, GAIN members engaged in discussions, sharing experiences and challenges related to academic integrity within their respective institutions. Topics included the development of educational programs, implementation of plagiarism detection technologies, and the establishment of clear procedures for reporting misconduct.
The meeting reaffirmed the dedication of GAIN members to promoting academic integrity and ethical conduct in higher education through international collaboration and the exchange of best practices. The next GAIN network meeting is scheduled for 10 September 2025.
