GAIN Network Meeting: Emphasis on Academic Integrity and International Collaboration
On 7 May 2025, the Agency for Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska had the honour of chairing the meeting of the Global Academic Integrity Network (GAIN). Representative of the Agency opened the meeting, welcomed attendees, and expressed gratitude to the outgoing co-chairs, Gráinne Mooney (QQI) and Helen Gneil (TEQSA), for their contributions. She also announced the new co-chairs: Laura Flynn (QQI) and Lenka Ucnik (TEQSA).
The meeting commenced with an update on GAIN membership, highlighting recent inquiries and interest from various institutions seeking to join the network. The expansion of GAIN underscores the growing global commitment to upholding academic integrity. Representative of the Office of the Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures in Lithuania presented findings from the 2024 Responsible Research Barometer. The study revealed that while national guidelines on research ethics are well-known, instances of unethical behaviour are infrequently reported. Moreover, individuals who do report misconduct often do not witness positive outcomes, indicating a need for systemic changes to bolster trust in institutions and protect whistleblowers.
