Introduction

Academic integrity is a fundamental pillar of Al-Nukhba University’s educational and research mission. The university and all its affiliates — students, faculty members, researchers, and administrative staff — are committed to the highest standards of honesty, trustworthiness, and respect in all academic activities, in accordance with the laws of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Iraq and international best practices.

Core Principles

Academic integrity at Al-Nukhba University is based on six principles:

• Honesty: In all research work, examinations, and reports.
• Trust: Between students, faculty, and the institution.
• Fairness: In assessment and equal opportunities.
• Respect: For colleagues, opinions, and intellectual property.
• Responsibility: Individual and collective responsibility to uphold the university’s reputation.
• Courage: In reporting violations and defending principles.

Forms of Academic Integrity Violations

1. Plagiarism

Attributing others’ ideas, texts, or data to oneself without documenting the source:

• Direct copying without quotation and citation.
• Paraphrasing without acknowledging the source.
• Submitting work prepared by a third party (Contract Cheating).
• Self-plagiarism: Submitting previously published work without disclosure.
• Undisclosed use of generative AI in producing research texts or assignments.

2. Cheating in Examinations

• Using unauthorized materials or devices.
• Copying from another student’s work.
• Communicating during an examination.
• Impersonating another examinee.

3. Falsification and Fabrication

• Fabricating or distorting research data.
• Forging signatures, certificates, or documents.
• Submitting a CV containing false information.

4. Unauthorized Collaboration

Collaborating on an assignment designated as individual work, or sharing answers in an individual examination.

5. Resource Misuse

• Disabling or damaging library or laboratory resources.
• Unauthorized access to university databases.

Generative AI Use Policy

The university acknowledges that generative AI tools have become part of the professional environment. Their use is therefore subject to the following rules:

• Mandatory Disclosure: Any use of an AI tool in academic work must be explicitly disclosed, including the tool name, version, and the nature of its contribution.
• Ultimate Responsibility: The student or researcher is fully responsible for the accuracy and originality of the submitted content, even if generated by an AI tool.
• Permitted Uses: Language editing, generating initial ideas, summarization, translation — provided disclosure is made.
• Prohibited Uses: Generating complete research text or exam solutions and attributing them to oneself without disclosure.
• Instructor’s Discretion: Each instructor may set additional rules for their course; students must comply with them.

Reporting and Investigation Mechanism

• Reporting: Reports must be submitted in writing to the dean’s office of the relevant college, or via email at [email protected].
• Competent Committee: The dean’s office shall form a committee of at least three members from the academic staff.
• Investigation: The student shall be given the opportunity to review the report and submit a defense within seven working days.
• Decision: A decision shall be issued within 30 days from the date of the report, with the right to appeal to the University Council.
• Confidentiality: The privacy of all parties shall be protected throughout the investigation stages.

Sanctions

Sanctions are graduated according to the severity of the violation:

• First Minor Violation: Written warning + resubmission of academic work.
• Moderate Violation: Course failure + warning recorded in the file.
• Serious Violation: Suspension for one or more semesters.
• Repeated or Very Serious Violation: Permanent dismissal + referral to the judiciary when applicable (forgery of certificate, identity theft).

Sanctions are subject to the Iraqi University Education System issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Student Rights

• The right to review the report and evidence.
• The right to submit a written defense.
• The right to appeal within 15 days of being notified of the decision.
• The right to request a hearing session.

Training Resources

The university provides:

• Annual workshops for new students on academic citation and referencing.
• Plagiarism detection software for faculty members.
• A guide to academic citation available at the central library.

Contact

Email for Communication and Reporting: [email protected]

Phone: +964 770 144 4448 / +964 780 144 4448

Last Updated: 7/5/2026