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Academic integrity as an element of anti-corruption policy in higher education: comparative insights from Uzbekistan and Finland

Том 1 № 1 (2026): Anti-Corruption Studies and Research

Опубликован 2026-06-30

Authors
  • Gulbakhor Rasulova
Gulbakhor Rasulova
doctoral student
Биография
DOI link:
https://doi.org/10.71559/ACSAR.1.1.2026.34

Аннотация

Abstract

 Academic integrity is a core pillar of anti-corruption policy in higher education governance. Academic misconduct including plagiarism, bribery in admissions and grading, falsification of research results, and the abuse of administrative authority — severely undermines institutional credibility and erodes public trust in the educational system. This study provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of the mechanisms ensuring academic integrity in Uzbekistan and Finland. Using a robust mixed-methods approach, the research integrates comparative legal analysis, systematic document review, and primary empirical data derived from a survey of 650 participants, including students and faculty members, alongside expert interviews and institutional statistics. The study evaluates regulatory frameworks, compliance mechanisms, digital governance tools, and accountability systems through the theoretical lenses of institutional economics and alignment theory.

Findings indicate that Uzbekistan has implemented substantial top-down reforms characterized by centralized monitoring and the rapid deployment of digital platforms, specifically the Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS). However, the analysis reveals that enforcement remains predominantly compliance-driven, suggesting that technical solutions must be accompanied by stronger institutional autonomy and a deeply internalized ethical culture. In contrast, the Finnish model emphasizes high levels of institutional autonomy and trust-based accountability, supported by independent external audits from the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) and stringent research integrity standards established by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK).

The study proposes an original hybrid governance model that integrates sophisticated digital compliance tools with an ethics-based institutional culture. These results contribute significantly to anti-corruption governance theory and provide actionable practical recommendations for policymakers and university administrators. The proposed framework is particularly applicable in reform-oriented higher education systems within transitional post-Soviet contexts, aiming to balance state oversight with institutional integrity.

 

Ключевые слова

  • Keywords: academic integrity; anti-corruption governance; higher education; Uzbekistan; Finland; HEMIS; hybrid governance; institutional ethics.

Как цитировать

Rasulova, G. (2026). Academic integrity as an element of anti-corruption policy in higher education: comparative insights from Uzbekistan and Finland. Anti-Corruption Studies and Research, 1(1), 41-50. https://doi.org/10.71559/ACSAR.1.1.2026.34

Библиографические ссылки

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  2. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. (2019, May 27) On measures to further improve the anti-corruption system in the Republic of Uzbekistan. (Decree No. PD-5729). https://lex.uz/docs/6969007.
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  13. Topildiev, B. R., Nazarov, S. N., & Kadirova, M. X. (2025). Fostering entrepreneurial competencies in higher education: Trends, challenges, legal issues and impacts on student success. Qubahan Academic Journal, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.48161/qaj.v5n3a1712
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Copyright (c) 2026 Gulbakhor Rasulova

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