The term "academic integrity" reflects the policies and regulations adopted by the centre to achieve an educational standard that ensures the required qualification for trainees. Academic integrity is a vital part of the e-learning system and distance learning programmes. The centre expects all students to comply with the stated academic integrity rules, regulations, and conditions.

First: Methods Used to Prevent Fraud and Personal Data Misuse

Trainees accept and acknowledge anti-fraud rules and penalties before taking any exam.

• Assessments are designed combining randomness and fairness, drawing questions from pre-prepared banks to cover learning outcomes — emphasising understanding rather than rote memorisation.
• Projects and oral assessments are prioritised during evaluation.
• Each digital exam is unique and contains new, previously unseen questions with no available answers in books or guides.
• Capturing exam questions, communicating with others, or using unauthorised resources is prohibited.
• A comprehensive awareness campaign informs students and instructors about regulations and penalties for fraud and identity theft.
• Technical solutions such as secure browsers prevent other software from running on the desktop during exams.
• All conduct violations are reviewed by faculty members, academic integrity experts, and technical experts to ensure assessment quality.
• Exam instruction screens covering all rules and penalties are displayed to students throughout the exam.

Second: Violations

• Impersonating another person to sit an exam on their behalf, or arranging for another to do so.
• Any behaviour that negatively affects the conduct of the exam, whether for cheating purposes or any other reason.
• Misconduct towards fellow trainees or exam supervisors.
• Obtaining or attempting to obtain exam questions before the exam begins by any means.
• Viewing or attempting to view exam questions and answering them before the supervisor's authorisation, or continuing after time expires.
• Unauthorised communication with others during the exam.
• Accessing or attempting to access any printed or electronic information sources during the exam.
• Disclosing or attempting to disclose exam questions or answers to another trainee.
• Assisting or attempting to assist another trainee in committing any form of cheating.
• Attempting to use any unauthorised materials, means, or devices during the exam (e.g. mobile phones or recording equipment).
• Photographing or removing exam questions by any means.
• Non-compliance with exam instructions or the supervisor's directives, e.g. refusing to activate the personal camera.

Third: Penalties

Upon committing any violation, one or more of the following penalties may be imposed:

• A warning or ban from sitting the exam.
• The candidate is deemed to have failed some or all exam subjects.
• Cancellation of the candidate's results in previous exams.
• Prohibition from sitting exams for one or more sessions, up to a maximum of one year.
• This clause is an integral part of the integrity regulations and may be supplemented at the end of the document.

Fourth: Investigation and Disciplinary Procedures

• The exam supervisor prepares an incident report detailing the violation and collects statements from all involved parties for submission to the exam committee within four working days.
• The exam committee investigates the violation and submits its report and recommendations to the relevant management.
• Upon proven violation, the exam committee submits the investigation findings and recommendations, along with case evidence, to the relevant management.
• Penalties are issued by the relevant management, and the penalised party is notified of the violation committed and the penalty imposed.

Forms of Academic Integrity Violations

• Cheating: Copying others' work or using unauthorised notes and information in assigned tasks.
• Plagiarism: Quoting others' works and using intellectual or literary content without proper citation.
• Misuse of academic assistance: Using a colleague's work without their knowledge, despite their good intent in helping.
• Exploitation of collaboration: Relying on another trainee to complete individual assignments.
• Fabrication and forgery: Altering information or submitting a forged medical certificate to excuse absence.
• Impersonation: Claiming another person's identity in any assignment; both parties are penalised.

Specific Investigation Procedures for Integrity Violations

Forming an investigation committee: A competent and independent investigation committee is appointed by centre management, comprising experienced members in training and integrity who are unconnected to the case.

Gathering evidence: Screenshots, video recordings, emails, and any relevant tangible evidence form part of the investigation.

Interrogating those involved: Precise questions regarding the charges are directed in a fair and transparent manner.

Ensuring transparency: Investigation sessions are recorded in writing; session dates and participants are announced to maintain integrity.

Rights of those involved: All parties have the right to present a defence and submit evidence proving their innocence.

Submitting the investigation report: Upon completion, the committee prepares a detailed report containing findings and recommendations, including penalty recommendations if the violation is proven.

Effective Reporting Mechanisms

A confidential and secure reporting system protects the identity of whistleblowers. Reports can be submitted through designated administrative channels.

Penalties That May Be Applied Against Those Involved

1. Written electronic warning: For initial or minor cases, a written electronic warning is issued explaining the seriousness of the behaviour.
2. Exam ban: Prohibition from sitting the current session's exam or for a specified period.
3. Disqualification: In cases of serious violation, exam results may be deemed invalid and the trainee considered to have failed the course.
4. Cancellation of previous results: In cases of repeated violations, previous course results and certified credentials may be cancelled.
5. Exam prohibition for a set period: A ban from sitting exams for a specified duration.
6. Official warning: A formal warning recorded in the student's file, which may be repeated for repeated violations.
7. Suspension or dismissal: In serious cases, the trainee may be suspended from courses or dismissed for a specified period.

Promoting Academic Integrity Through

• Providing guidance and orientation to new trainees, encouraging course completion.
• Upholding intellectual property principles.
• Active attendance and engagement with the trainer during sessions.
• Completing assessments without external resources.
• Logging in to the platform at the scheduled course time.
• Certificates are awarded based on attendance records.