ACADEMIC MEMBERS CONDUCT POLICY

1.1.1 Academic Conduct Review Committee (ACRC): A standing committee established by the President that is responsible for investigating and providing recommendations on cases of alleged Academic and Research Misconduct.

1.1.2 Academic Freedom: The right to freely study, discuss, investigate, teach, conduct Research, and publish, as appropriate to the individual’s respective roles and responsibilities.

1.1.3 Academic Members: Faculty Members and Instructional Members.

1.1.4 Academic Misconduct: Conduct that breaches the Academic Code of Conduct or any act that compromises the integrity of academic work, Research, or scholarly activities, including but not limited to the falsification or Fabrication of academic records, Research results, or reporting; intentional or unintentional plagiarism; misuse of intellectual academic property; violation of academic integrity or Research Ethics; or aiding others in committing such violations.

1.1.5 Academic Research Members: University employees devoted primarily to Research, whether on part-time or full-time basis, holding the following position title: Post-Doctoral Researcher (Post-Doc), Research Associate, or Research Assistants.

1.1.6 Conflict of Interest: A situation where a person has an actual, perceived, or potential personal, professional, or financial interest or commitment, that may affect the conduct of his/her duties and responsibilities, or unduly influence or compromise his/her professional judgment in exercising their duties.

1.1.7 Fabrication: Making up data or results and recording or reporting them.

1.1.8 Faculty Members: Members of the Teaching and/or Research staff, whether on part-time or full-time contracts, holding the following ranks: Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Senior Lecturer/Senior Technical Instructor, or Lecturer/Technical Instructor.

1.1.9 Instructional Members: Members of the Teaching staff, whether on part-time or full-time contracts, holding the following titles: Assistant Lecturer/or Workshop/Lab/Clinical Instructor, Assistant Technical Instructor, Trades Technical Instructor, or Teaching Assistant.

1.1.10 Investigation: A formal evaluation of relevant facts to determine the existence and severity of the incident.

1.1.11 Plagiarism: Presenting someone else’s published and/or unpublished work or ideas, whether in manuscript, printed or electronic form, as one’s own, with or without their consent, by incorporating it into one’s own work without full acknowledgment.

1.1.12 Research: The systematic and organized investigation of a subject/topic, and study of the materials and sources in order to establish new knowledge and/or reach new conclusions.

1.1.13 Research Ethics: A set of principles and guidelines that govern the conduct of Research involving, but not limited to, human or animal subjects, aiming to protect their rights and well-being while maintaining the integrity of the Research.

1.1.14 Research Falsification: Manipulating Research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results so that the Research involved is not accurately represented in the Research record.

1.1.15 Research Misconduct: Conduct by an Academic Member, Academic Research Members, or Visitor at the University (or in connection with the University) that constitutes Fabrication, Research Falsification, or Plagiarism in proposing, performing, reviewing Research, or in reporting Research results.

1.1.16 Research Project: Any project that forms the basis of Research undertaken by the University and includes projects undertaken by:

- a member of the University Community and/or Visitor or under their supervision,

- any individual commissioned by the University to undertake Research.

1.1.17 Service: Engagement by Academic Members in University-wide or departmental activities such as leadership on University committees, program development and accreditation support activities, special project assignments, Academic Advising, or other such work in fulfillment of the University's strategic and academic priorities; in their professional organizations through attendance at meetings, professional presentations, or other such work; and service to the broader community such as representing the University in the broader community, professional presentations to audiences outside the campus; or other such activities.

1.1.18 Student: A person who is presently enrolled at the University in a Credit Course or who is designated by the University as a Student.

1.1.19 Teaching: The delivery of theoretical and/or practical instruction for the purpose of Student learning and development, that is generally organized by disciplines and/or interdisciplinarity of study and administered within an established mode and timeframe.

1.1.20 University: University of Doha for Science and Technology established by Emiri Resolution No. 13 of 2022.

1.1.21 University Community: Staff and Students.

1.1.22 Visitor: Any individual who is not a Student, member of Staff, and who is present on University property for a specific purpose or activity, whether invited or not.

4.1 Code of Conduct:

4.2 The University expects all Academic Members, Academic Research Members, and Visitors to:

4.2.1 Maintain the highest standards of moral and ethical principles.

4.2.2 Perform their job duties effectively, honestly, accurately, professionally, and impartially.

4.2.3 Promote a high standard of respect for all Employees, Students, and the general community.

4.2.4 Work to serve the University’s goals and objectives, achieving its interests and enhancing its reputation.

4.2.5 Commit to the appropriate norms of conduct and ethics.

4.2.6 Be familiar with, adhere to laws and regulations, and follow bylaws, policies, and procedures that govern the University’s functions in an objective, ethical and unbiased manner without any violations.

4.2.7 Maintain professional standards in Teaching, Research, administration and community involvement.

4.2.8 Promote an environment that supports the pursuit of knowledge, truth and business continuity by reporting wrongdoing or any cases of violation or non-compliance encountered whilst performing their duties.

4.2.9 Ensure that the academic needs of Students are met, including academic advising, supervision of Research, reports, and scientific and activities for Students overseen by the University.

4.2.10 Respect the privacy of others, ensuring that personal information is accessed and used only for the University purposes and not disclosed, except when authorised by legislation.

4.2.11 Deal with documents and personal information related to Students with complete confidentiality and in accordance with the legislation in force in the State of Qatar, and not use these documents or information for personal purposes.

4.2.12 Maintain the confidentiality of information, documents, and papers that they obtained or viewed while performing work, whether written, oral, or electronic, especially in cases where instructions or decisions have been issued.

4.2.13 Avoid any situation where their personal, financial, or other interests conflict, or might reasonably be perceived to or might conflict with their duties to the University. In this regard, Academic Members, Academic Research Members, and Visitors are required to manage situations of conflict of interest in alignment with the HR Policy. In addition to matters covered in the HR Policy, Academic Members, Academic Research Members, and Visitors must:

4.2.13.1 Undertake the evaluation of Student academic achievements fairly, impartially, and solely based on academic performance.

4.2.13.2 Be good role models and act as intellectual guides, advisors, and guardians of Academic Freedom, subject to applicable policies and procedures. Exploitation and/or harassment of Students will never be tolerated.

4.2.13.3 Acknowledge the ideas, information or intellectual contributions of others in publications and place higher importance on the expansion and creation of knowledge than on the recognition of ownership.

4.2.13.4 Comply with the applicable requirements and regulations of external funding agencies as well as with the University’s standards for funded Research Projects, as outlined in the Funded Research Policy (PL-AC-08).

4.2.13.5 Comply with the applicable policies for Intellectual Property (PL-AC-14) regarding intellectual contribution and Academic Freedom (PL-AC-10).

4.2.13.6 Refrain from the commission of Academic Misconduct.

4.3 Prohibited Conduct

4.3.1 Academic Members, Academic Research Members, and Visitors must not engage in any form of Academic Misconduct, including but not limited to:

4.3.1.1 Plagiarism, Research Falsification, or Fabrication.

4.3.1.2 Breaches of Research Ethics and integrity.

4.3.1.3 Unfair or biased evaluation of Students.

4.3.1.4 Misuse of University resources or research funds.

4.3.1.5 Engaging in Conflicts of Interest that compromise academic integrity.

4.3.1.6 Any other actions that violate the principles of academic honesty and professionalism.

4.4 Academic Misconduct

4.4.1 Any actual, attempted or alleged conduct that breaches the Academic Code of Conduct, or the engagement in Academic Misconduct or prohibited conduct will be addressed by the University, in accordance with this policy and its relevant procedure and other relevant University policies and procedures.

4.4.2 In cases where the provisions of this policy have been breached, the perpetrator will be subject to Disciplinary Action, in accordance with the relevant procedures.

4.4.3 All incidents involving Academic Misconduct must be investigated promptly, fairly and thoroughly, in accordance with the relevant procedure of this policy.

4.4.4 In most instances, discipline may be progressive in nature as a practice that seeks to correct and develop awareness, attitudes and behaviors to improve professional performance. The severity of discipline will be commensurate with the nature of the breach, taking into consideration repeated breaches. Progressive discipline is outlined in the relevant procedure of this policy.

4.5 Appeal

4.5.1 Academic Members, Academic Research Members, and Visitors have the right to appeal decisions issued regarding allegations of Academic Misconduct as per the applicable procedure, based on the following grounds only:

4.5.1.1 Substantial procedural and/or factual error occurred in the administration of the appealed decision; and/or

4.5.1.2 New documentation or information is available that would affect the appealed decision; and/or

4.5.1.3 Appealed disciplinary decision is unduly harsh.

4.5.2 The President will establish an Academic Misconduct Appeals Committee to look into appeals of decisions pertaining to Academic Misconduct resulting in a suspension for a full Semester or more, permanent dismissal from a Program, or expulsion from the University.

4.5.3 The Academic Misconduct Appeal Committees will, respectively:

4.5.3.1 consider appeal cases referred to them;

4.5.3.2 determine whether the ground(s) of appeal have been met; and

4.5.3.3 either uphold the appeal, and overturn the appealed decision, or dismiss the appeal, and uphold the appealed decision, or amend and vary the appealed decision.

4.5.4 The decision of an Academic Misconduct Appeals Committee can be appealed to the President of University and this decision represents the final decision of the University.

5.1 Instances of Academic Misconduct will be addressed in accordance with Academic Members Conduct Procedure (PR-AC-15).

5.2 The Vice-President, Academics will ensure that procedures are developed for the execution of this policy and are implemented accordingly.

6.1 PL-AC-08: Funded Research Policy.

6.2 PL-AC-10: Academic Freedom Policy.

6.3 PL-AC-14: Intellectual Property Policy.

6.4 PL-AC-32: Research Ethics Policy.

6.5 PR-AC-15: Academic Members Conduct Procedure.