Academic integrity as a factor of strategic university development
Abstract
The article presents a comprehensive study of the role and significance of academic integrity as a strategic resource for the institutional advancement of higher education institutions amidst European integration, digital transformation, and the rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies. The study shows that academic integrity extends beyond legal constraints, ethical rules, and plagiarism-detection mechanisms, becoming a core component of internal quality assurance, a means of strengthening reputational capital, and a driver of university competitiveness in both global and national markets. The study analyzes the domestic regulatory framework—specifically the Laws of Ukraine “On Education” and “On Higher Education” and recommendations from the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance—alongside the 2015 ESG principles and the tenets of the International Center for Academic Integrity. It examines how integrity affects the transparency of academic management, the objectivity of student assessment, employer trust, and the expansion of international research collaboration. It pays particular attention to the challenges posed by digitalization: the proliferation of generative artificial intelligence, the transformation of academic writing, and the need to shift from prohibitive control models toward a culture of responsible digital tool use and enhanced information literacy among faculty and students. The work’s scientific novelty lies in developing a holistic model for fostering a culture of academic integrity within the university, synthesizing five interconnected components: regulatory, organizational, educational, digital, and value-based. Implementing the proposed model enables higher education institutions to shift from fragmented administration to systemic, strategic governance of educational quality and the innovative development of the academic community. Keywords: academic integrity, university, academic culture, quality of education, reputation, digitalization, artificial intelligence, strategic development, internal system of ensuring the quality of education.