From Academic Integrity to Professional Responsibility

On 23 October 2026, staff members of the library of Berdyansk State Pedagogical University held an online meeting for academic staff and students of the Department of Biology, Human Health and Physical Rehabilitation. The meeting focused on academic integrity, academic writing, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in education and research.

During the meeting, participants discussed the key provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Academic Integrity,” types of violations, and their possible consequences. Particular attention was paid to academic plagiarism, self-plagiarism, fabrication and falsification of results, dishonest assessment, and other forms of academic misconduct. An important part of the discussion concerned preventing such violations and upholding the principles of objectivity, impartiality, and transparency when addressing them.

The practical part of the meeting focused on checking scholarly works for textual similarities. Participants learned about the use of Turnitin Similarity, a system used at BSPU to analyse academic texts. It was emphasised that the results of automated checks require careful interpretation: a text-similarity score alone neither replaces expert analysis nor provides a sufficient assessment of a work’s academic integrity.

A substantial part of the meeting was devoted to the use of generative artificial intelligence in learning and research. Participants discussed the principles of responsible AI use, the need to verify the accuracy of information obtained, avoid inventing or distorting data, appropriately disclose the use of relevant tools, and retain personal responsibility for the results of their own work. BSPU recommendations on the use of artificial intelligence were also presented, including the roles of academic staff, students, and the Academic Integrity Commission.

Academic writing was another important topic. Participants received guidance on working with sources, citing them correctly, developing well-supported arguments, and strengthening their academic communication skills. The electronic resources, learning courses, manuals, and other information materials presented by the library can provide valuable support when preparing coursework, scholarly publications, and qualification papers.

Such meetings help participants not only become familiar with regulatory requirements but also understand their practical significance. Academic integrity begins not with checking a completed text, but with a responsible attitude towards knowledge, information sources, one’s own research decisions, and the results of intellectual work.

Natalia Pshenychna
Guarantor of the Educational and Professional Programme “Biology and Human Health”
Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Human Health and Physical Rehabilitation