CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
PREAMBLE
In its mission statement, the National Federation of Haitian Universities and Professional Institutions and Professional Institutions, (FNUIPH) recognizes that the purpose of universities is first and foremost to train future executives for the employment market and to co-ordinate both research staff and the next generation of academics. It is in applying its teaching knowledge and thanks to its mode of operation that the FNUIPH will be able to measure the potential for growth in knowledge in view of the ability for healthy teaching and learning in higher education.
Responsible for protecting and ensuring the transfer of the intellectual heritage to the whole population through its present and future members, the FNUIPH is designed as a platform to support all higher-education universities and institutions in developing their global objectives.
As a forum for reflection, discussion and cooperation, the FNUIPH aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of the network’s members, increase the effectiveness, visibility and attractiveness of the Haitian system for higher education and research by opening it up to society and national companies, as well as improve international visibility, while still ensuring that each member has administrative and academic autonomy. To ensure the sustainability of its objectives and prevent any differences or conflicts of interest or personality between its members or with potential partners, the FNUIPH provides all its members with the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, which they are required to observe unconditionally in order to harmonize inter-university relations and ensure the successful achievement of the universal objectives.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
The FNUIPH is a tool which acts a platform to bring together leaders of universities and institutions for higher education and research. At a time when such importance is placed on performance and excellence, FNUIPH members must be able to demonstrate the utmost refinement, wisdom and delicacy. In a word, they must comply with the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (etiquette or set of practices governing ceremonies and official engagements) in relations with other members and in all procedures, actions and interventions undertaken under the FNUIPH.
Given that universities are a place for critical thinking and the dissemination of knowledge, know-how and soft skills, all current and future members of the FNUIPH consent to:
Promote among themselves and within their respective institution the universal values of:
Tolerance
Mutual respect
Freedom of speech
Diversity of thought and opinion
Academic autonomy and independence
Acknowledge:
The rights of students to a high-quality personal and professional education that enables their own development, meets the needs of society and contributes to sustainable national development, as well as their duty to comply with the disciplinary regulations and principles governing the functioning of the institutions
The requirement to add value to teaching and research, including to the roles of teacher and researcher, by progressively improving working conditions in order to attract and retain teachers and researchers, as well as the requirement for them to enrich and consolidate their professional and educational skills to better mentor students
The urgent need to regularly assess teachers and teaching methods to facilitate learning, to adapt the methods to meet modern requirements and to prevent failures
Impartially assist members of the academic, administrative and support staff
Ensure that discrimination of any kind is prohibited
Pay continual attention to people in vulnerable situations
Manage negative influences by removing members of the university community who do not share the same values
Promote impartiality in all procedures involving assessment of suitability regarding employment opportunities
Ensure that the criteria of neutrality and fairness are upheld in examinations
Pay for services based on tacit agreements
Ensure that it is mandatory to disclose results even when there is a conflict of interest
Take appropriate measures to ensure the integrity and reputation of the institution
Avoid situations in which personal benefits are in conflict with the student’s actual needs
Work toward creating a safe environment with an atmosphere of calm and trust that encourages professional development and freedom of expression
Observe the academic ethics rules in relations between universities
Practice fair and healthy competition while upholding the intrinsic values of sister institutions
Mobilize resources to ensure high-quality teaching that is competitive both nationally and internationally
Mentor students who want to continue their studies elsewhere by establishing a link with the other institution, on request of the student, in order to receive the institution’s opinion of the student, their online statements and their discharge obligations
Ensure that no students are enrolled whose undesirable or hostile behavior would damage the reputation and operation of the higher-education institution
Use the FNUIPH website to learn more about applications by professors in order to check their academic education, their career performance and their adherence to commitments with other institutions
Encourage resource sharing to support the work to develop active learning experiences for students
Uphold the laws, agreements and authorizations concerning members while recognizing the rules of ethics and professional conduct when performing academic and professional duties
Promote academic production
Promote the production of academic research
Avoid using other people’s work, whether students or teachers, without their approval
Follow advice provided by research supervisors
Recognize the contribution made by co-researchers
Respect intellectual property when working in scientific fields
SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS
Relations with partners
Know how to identify different partners, their specialisms, their field of work and their limits as well as their links with other institutions
Recognize the specific and complementary skills of each partner and identify the partner that is best suited to each situation
Mobilize the network to create a global project, making sure to center work around common, consistent and shared objectives
Take decisions and be accountable
Demonstrate diligence and adhere to reasonable deadlines when performing tasks
Organize internal procedures for correspondence and communication with national authorities and national and international partners
Take various measures to ensure excellent writing quality, both in terms of format and content, in particular through the creation and formalization of procedures
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
The behavior of FNUIPH members is guided by neutrality and objectivity. When working in teams, the plurality of professional cultures brings different approaches to situations, which contributes to a common, shared vision. No professional can claim to carry a complex task on their own.
Professional knowledge
Understand and comply with legal obligations
Identify the fields and limits of the job
Update and consolidate experience and knowledge, particularly through continuous training
Professional know-how
Be able to work in a team and bring your professional specialism to the table
Ensure service continuity and task traceability, in particular by:
– Developing a culture of writing
– Mastering new technologies
– Adapting to new work methods and service organizations
Maintain the distance necessary to implement measures by actively participating in groups for the analysis of practices
Professional soft skills
Represent the FNUIPH within the field of expertise
Report activities regularly to the Executive Board/FNUIPH
Build relations with colleagues that are based on listening, trust and solidarity
Avoid situations of conflict of interest
Work in multidisciplinary teams
Integrate in the team and participate in the different tasks and internal meetings
Keep the organizations of different member universities in the network informed of important information, significant developments or particularly difficult situations
Promote a process of collegial reflection to handle complex situations
Ensure the disclosure of information
When required, ask for the opinion of qualified professionals outside the group