Mahfud MD stresses academic ethics as key to preventing corruption

Strengthening academic ethics aligns with the national education philosophy that emphasises a balance between faith, knowledge, and morals. Lamongan, East Java (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs 2019-2024 Prof Mahfud MD stressed that academic ethics is key to preventing corrupt behaviour, thus needing reinforcement in university environments. “If someone dares to cheat in academic activities, it is very likely they will engage in dishonesty in society, including corrupt behaviour,” he said while serving as a speaker at a public lecture at Universitas Islam Darul ’Ulum (Unisda) Lamongan, East Java, on Friday. This former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court 2008-2013 also explained that academic ethics must serve as the primary foundation, encompassing scientific honesty, objectivity, fairness, and accountability. According to him, scientific errors can still be excused, but lies cannot be justified under any circumstances. He also criticised the commercialisation of education, including the practice of buying and selling diplomas and the proliferation of predatory journals that ignore scientific standards. According to him, strengthening academic ethics aligns with the national education philosophy that emphasises a balance between faith, knowledge, and morals. The public lecture was organised by the Faculty of Islamic Religion (FAI) at Unisda Lamongan in the Manaqib Building Auditorium on the 3rd Floor with the theme “Academic Ethics: Maintaining Integrity and Quality of Education”. Meanwhile, Unisda Rector Hafidh Nashrullah stated that the event is an effort to strengthen a healthy, integrity-driven, and quality academic culture on campus.