02/28/2022

Statement from the International Center for Academic Integrity in Response to the Invasion of Ukraine

Written by Camilla Roberts

The recent unprovoked invasion by Russia into Ukraine has caused members of the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI) to take a moment to reflect on the work that our Ukrainian colleagues have been doing to enhance the culture of integrity within their institutions and communities. 

Through workshops and webinars across Ukraine, members of ICAI have spent the past several years in collaboration with the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance in Ukraine to educate leaders about integrity within the institution of higher education as well as their communities. Many discussions have revolved around the six fundamental values of academic integrity (and integrity in general): honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage.  It is the final value, courage, that we hope our colleagues maintain during this difficult time. 

This courage has inspired ICAI to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian academic community by supporting the letter from the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance in Ukraine to Ministers of Education and E4 organizations of the European Higher Education Area (Ministers responsible for the education of European Higher Education Area states, European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, European Students’ Union, European University Association, and European Association of Institutions in Higher Education) to suspend Russia’s involvement in the European Higher Education Area, Russian institutions’ memberships in the EUA and the EURASHE, and halt all collaboration with Russia’s higher education and scientific institutions. 

ICAI remains dedicated to promoting ethical communities globally; therefore, we must not be silent about the current destruction and devastation in Ukraine.  Please join us in honoring the courage of our Ukrainian colleagues and friends by supporting them as they face the dire circumstances in their homeland. 

Camilla J. Roberts, ICAI President

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