Dr Ahmad Khawar Shahzad
The 21st century has ushered in an era of unprecedented technological progress, profoundly impacting the fabric of our society. As a result, the era is witnessing a seismic shift in normative values, work ethics, and integrity standards, challenging us to adapt and evolve in this new landscape. The inescapable proliferation of internet (4G, 5G) and indispensable use of smartphone have emerged as game changer. Cloud computing and big data analytics have transmuted the access, storage and processing of data, empowering the organizations with data driven decisions, innovation and growth parameters. Block-chain technology is another application, introducing a new era of security and transparency to supply chain management. The internet of things (IOT) has created an interconnected world through a networking of devices.
Before traversing the rudimentary question of academic integrity, specific queries may strike the minds: Is it really substantial to assign it paramount prominence in our education system where powerful technological tools like artificial intelligence (AI) ChatGPT and AI powered virtual assistants (Siri, Alexa and Google Assistants) dispenses with scrupulous responses through conversational dialogue, error admission and premise challenge? Amidst this ever changing and rapidly evolving technological landscape, academic integrity really necessitates to be implemented in letter and spirit? And last but not the least, why don’t we leverage technological advancements to enhance our knowledge and moving life toward convenience?
The pristine concept of academic integrity swivels around five core values of trust, fairness, respect, honesty, responsibility and courage wherein trust is the reliability in all academic pursuits, fairness is referred as impartiality in all academic decisions, responsibility insinuates the accountability of one’s own actions, respect appraise the intellectual property rights and, honesty denotes the truthfulness in all academic endeavors. The growing intricacy of educational settings, technological progress, and cultural disparities provide considerable challenges in the Pakistan’s educational landscape. According to Higher Education Commission Report-2022, almost 4000 PhD scholars are in peril being jobless. The fee of a PhD program ranges from Rs.500,000 to one million in Pakistan and even more in some cases. In QS World University Ranking, Massachusetts institute of Technology (MIT) maintain its reign at the top of the world whereas none of Pakistan’s public (154) or private (109) sector university falls within top 300 universities of the world QS ranking. During the last 77 years, universities of Pakistan (263) could not develop innovative minds like Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein or Stephen Hawking etc. Another relevance to integrity standards, Transparency International (TI) ranked Pakistan at 27 on the Corruption Perception Index-2024 which is another alarming declaration of nature of social norms, integrity priorities and ethical degradation.
Academic Integrity is the corner stone of a trustworthy and efficient educational system. It guarantees that students, academicians, and researchers comply with ethical norms, promoting trust and quality in academia. Globally, this wholesome practice of academic integrity entails some daunting challenges; for instance, lack of uniform standards, technological advancements, resistance to change, enforcement hiccups and resource constraints. As we navigate the complexities ofacademic integrity in Pakistan, the researchers conclude that despite other factors, Stern government policies are essential for promoting academic integrity whose effectiveness depends upon careful implementation, adequate resources and adaptation of new challenges. Governments can also play a pivotal role in ensuring highest standards of integrity by promoting trust, credibility and excellence.
A number of nations have adopted a novel approach to education in a time when character development is frequently subordinated to academic success. A distinctive educational system that prioritizes morals, ethics, manners, and integrity norms for young children has been adopted by Finland, Japan, and other Eastern and Western countries. The Japanese and Finnish educational systems offer valuable insights into the importance of cultivating virtue and character in youth. By prioritizing social-emotional learning, moral education, and holistic development, these countries have created a foundation for lifelong learning, social responsibility, and integrity. As the world grapples with complex challenges, it is essential to reconsider our educational priorities and learn from the successes of these innovative approaches. This approach, which spans over seven years without the burden of tests or examinations, has yielded remarkable results. Japan, in particular, has consistently ranked high in global integrity levels. This note explores the underlying principles and practices of this distinctive educational philosophy.
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Apropos to the recent development of 2nd Asia, Middle East –Africa Conference on the theme of Academic and Research Integrity: Resilience through Integrity in Research and Academia, under the auspices of the University of Lahore and Turnitin, held on 13-15 Feb, 2025 in Pakistan, a number of international scholars advocated for the realization of academic and research integrity by developing comprehensive policy regime, investing in technology & training, promoting collaboration, encouraging ethical leadership and strengthening enforcement mechanism. But the writer as a key note speaker of this global forum suggested a collaborative, proactive and innovative approach on the edifice of Islamic teachings to build a sustainable culture of academic integrity as a way forward. Theories, models and concepts related to integrity, measured integrity on the basis of values required for integrity: the values (inherent in a person) determine their level of integrity. In Islam, integrity is truth, trust, honesty, sincerity, loyalty, responsibility as exemplified by the Messenger of Allah is truthful (siddiq), trustworthy (amanah), deliver (tabligh), and wise (fatanah). The title of Sadiq and Ameen was conferred upon the Holy Prophet (SAW) by the non-believers of Arabian Peninsula. Dr Ghulam Jilani Burq in his book (du-Quran) expounded that 150 verses of holy Quran pertains to worship (Ibada) and social matters whereas almost 756 verses accentuate upon the preponderant significance of the creation of the universe and motivate thinking (Tafaqquh) for research and innovation. Islamic Work Ethics (IWE) are the hallmark of Integrity, dedication, innovation, honesty, responsibility, diligence, ethical leadership and nobility which is the ample testimony of the doctrine of “Amar Bil Ma’roof Wa Nahi Anil Munkir”.
The sacred life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) performs as a praiseworthy model for humanity, embodying the perfect blend of spiritual, intellectual, and social excellence. As a teacher, he was unparalleled in his ability to impart knowledge, wisdom, and values to his companions, transforming them into beacons of guidance for future generations. As an academician, his majesty’s pursuit of knowledge was relentless, seeking wisdom from the Quran, His prophetic method of teaching, which combined instruction, demonstration, and mentorship, has inspired generations of scholars, educators, and learners. By embracing the Prophet’s (SAW) life as a role model, we can cultivate the qualities of truth, trust, justice, wisdom and innovation that characterized his extraordinary personality.
Echoing with Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, if the question is “to be, or not to be”; then, we will have to decide, whether we want to convalesce with ethics, morality and integrity in its pristine at the levels of student, school and society or otherwise! Certainly, at the moment, the question is not to be a Muslim or a non-Muslim, to be a Western or Eastern but the query absorbs to the virgin doctrine of morality, ethics and integrity, as practiced by the savior of humanity-The Holy Prophet (SAW). Almighty Allah says, verse 81 of Surah Al-Isra, “And declare, “The truth has come and falsehood has vanished”. This verse emphasizes the underpinning concept of ethics and integrity, which are at the heart of Islamic work ethics.
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Outlined below are the fundamental principles of academic integrity, illuminated by the guiding teachings of the Quran and reinforced by the prophetic wisdom of Hadiths. Surah An-Nisa, Verse 58 (Qur’an 4:58) put emphasis on Trust, “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due”. Surah An-Nisa, Verse 135 (Qur’an 4:135) draws attention toward Fairness, “O you who believe! Be maintainers of justice, bearers of witness for Allah, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your relatives, whether it be against rich or poor. Allah is nearer to them. Do not follow your desires, lest you deviate from justice. If you distort your testimony or refuse to give it, then Allah is indeed well-acquainted with what you do”. Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 49 gives prominence to Responsibility, “Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he is unable, then with his tongue, if he is unable, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith”. Bukhari, Hadith No. 13; Muslim, Hadith No. 42 put the accent on Respect, “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself”. Sura At-Taubah Verse 119 highlights Honesty, “O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true”. Allah says: “The believer is the one who is honest in his business transactions”.
In adherence to the Quran’s divine, academicians must cultivate the mind of the students to trust their abilities, confidence, creativity and critical thinking to harness the modern technologies by dominating the AI Tools, rather to be dominated by these man-made algorithms.
Dr Ahmad Khawar Shahzad
PhD / Public Policy Analyst
Email:ahmad.khawarpk@ymail.com
+92.300.7722336
