Integrity and ethics
Ghent University's code of ethics acts as a guide to integrity and ethics and applies to all UGent'ers: from students and staff to visiting professors and (sub)contractors and suppliers.
Integrity and ethics are not new at Ghent University. There are already codes of conduct and regulations on acting with integrity. These have now been bundled and further supplemented with a clear set of organisational values and standards in one code of ethics covering social, scientific and organisational integrity.
Acting with integrity according to Ghent University values
In addition to academic freedom and freedom of expression, honesty, respect, trustworthiness and responsibility are central. The main purpose of the code of ethics is to promote integrity awareness, encourage acting with integrity, and prevent integrity violations.
The code is structured around six sections:
- Acting responsibly and independently
- Treating each other with respect
- Careful and sustainable use of organisational resources and time
- Qualitative and ethical research and teaching practices
- Safe and confidential handling of information
- Exemplary behaviour, addressing, reporting and compliance
Each section contains specific guidelines and examples to apply the code.
Open discussion culture and role model behaviour
The code stimulates an open discussion culture where integrity dilemmas can be discussed in a safe way. UGent'ers are encouraged to reflect together and discuss the code and its application in daily work practice. In particular, board members, management, executives, lecturers and student representatives are expected to set an example of integrity within the university community.
In summary, the code of ethics provides every UGent'er with guidance on integrity and ethics. As a result, it contributes to fostering a university culture with shared values and standards that form the basis for working (together) with integrity.