A conference and training on academic integrity in science, business and society took place in North Macedonia

On October 24-28, South East European University SEEU in North Macedonia hosted the events of the project “Building Integrity in Higher Education, Business and Society” (BRIDGE) for the academic community. The events were attended by Bridge project partners from Uppsala University (Sweden), Mendel University (Czech Republic), the Office of the Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures of the Republic of Lithuania (Lithuania), the Institute of Sociology at the Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences (Lithuania), the University of Southeast Europe (North Macedonia) and Kherson State Technical University (Ukraine).

On October 25, the conference “Sharing good practices of academic integrity for a better business and community” was organized in Tetovo. The conference was moderated by Prof. Dr. Veli Kreci (SEUU), the activities of the BRIDGE project were presented by the project manager Dr. Sonja Bjelobaba (Uppsala University). Presentations during the conference Prof. Dr. Veland Ramadani (SEUU), Prof. Dr. Veronika Kareva (SEUU), Prof. Dr. Ali Pajaziti (SEUU), Prof. Dr. Gadaf Rexhepi (SEUU), Zharko Trajkov (Macedonian Broadcasting, North Macedonia). In the afternoon session, conference participants were invited to debate. Three discussion sessions were held: Helping Institutions Promote Academic and Research Integrity; Academic and Research Integrity for Universities in Business Partnerships; and Promoting Academic and Research Integrity in Citizen Science. Discussion Sessions moderated by BRIDGE project team members: Veli Kreci (SEUU), Sonja Bjelobaba (Uppsala University), Sandra Krutulienė (LSMC), Hajrulla Hajrullaj (SEUU), Julija Umbrasaitė and Birutė Liekė (AEPKT).

The conference attracted considerable interest from the participants and the attention of Tetovo local television.

On October 26-27, the BRIDGE project team organized academic and research integrity training in Tetovo. On October 26 training organized for master’s and doctoral students. On October 27 trainings were organized for scientific supervisors of doctoral and master’s students. During the training, the participants were introduced to checklists for master’s students, doctoral students and scientific supervisors. “Guidelines for Integrity in Research and Business Collaboration” and “Guidelines for Research Ethics and Research Integrity in Citizen Science” we presented to the training participants.

The participants were taught using simulated educational materials, examined the dilemmas of academic and research ethics in business and citizen science, and were invited to discuss about academic integrity and research ethics.

On October 24 and 28, meetings of the BRIDGE project team were held in Skopje, during which the progress of the project, activities and planned work of the project in the near future were discussed.

Information about the project (activities carried out, project progress and project results – educational materials that will be freely available for everyone after the project) is available on the project’s website and social networks.