Section 1: Objective
St. Thomas College of Engineering & Technology, Chengannur, is dedicated to nurturing top-quality technical professionals equipped with sound knowledge of engineering principles, advanced technical skills, innovative research capabilities, and exemplary professional conduct. The college is committed to leveraging technology for the benefit of society, while maintaining the highest ethical standards. It strives to provide uninterrupted education to students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds and instills core values such as honesty, integrity, responsibility, mutual respect for persons and property, and respect for human rights.
To achieve these objectives, the college has established this Ethics Policy to serve as a guideline for enforcing ethical conduct among students, faculty, and staff. The Institutional Ethics Committee is tasked with formulating, implementing, and monitoring adherence to this policy.
Section 2: Institutional Ethics Committee
The Institutional Ethics Committee shall consist of senior faculty members from various departments, with the Head of Student Welfare serving as the Chairperson of the committee. The committee members are entrusted with upholding and promoting the ethical standards outlined in this policy.
Responsibilities of the Institutional Ethics Committee:
- Formulating and periodically updating the Ethics Policy for St. Thomas College of Engineering & Technology.
- Monitoring and ensuring compliance with the Ethics Policy among all members of the college community.
- Investigating breaches of the Ethics Policy and reporting such breaches to the Principal for appropriate action.
- Recommending corrective and punitive measures for addressing non-compliance and unethical practices.
- Organizing awareness programs, workshops, and seminars to promote ethical behavior within the institution.
Section 3: Responsibilities of Students and Scholars
Students and scholars at St. Thomas College of Engineering & Technology are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards in their academic and personal conduct. Their responsibilities include:
- Awareness and Compliance: Students must familiarize themselves with this Ethics Policy and adhere to its guidelines.
- Academic Integrity: Cheating in examinations, plagiarism, and any form of academic malpractice are strictly prohibited. Students must submit original work and ensure proper citation in all academic submissions.
- Respect and Conduct: Students must demonstrate respect for their peers, faculty, and staff. Any form of harassment, bullying, or discrimination is unacceptable.
- Responsible Use of Resources: Students are expected to use college resources responsibly and avoid causing damage to property or the environment.
- Ethical Research Practices: Research involving human participants or hazardous materials must receive prior approval from the Ethics Committee. Proper consent and permissions must be obtained, and care must be taken to avoid harm.
- Inclusivity and Fairness: Students must promote a culture of inclusivity and avoid bias or discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, religion, caste, or socio-economic status.
- Professional Behavior: Students should maintain decorum in classrooms, laboratories, and college premises, ensuring a conducive learning environment.
- Publication Ethics: Students must avoid publishing in predatory journals and adhere to ethical practices in academic writing and research.
Section 4: Responsibilities of Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff members play a pivotal role in upholding ethical standards within the institution. Their responsibilities include:
- Role Modeling: Faculty and staff must exemplify ethical behavior, serving as role models for students. They should demonstrate fairness, impartiality, and dedication in their duties.
- Academic Integrity: Faculty must ensure that their teaching, research, and administrative practices adhere to the highest ethical standards. They should avoid favoritism and bias in academic evaluations and student interactions.
- Student Guidance: Faculty must provide ethical guidance to students, particularly in research projects and academic publications. Proper mentoring ensures students develop a strong ethical foundation.
- Respect and Fair Treatment: Faculty and staff must treat colleagues and students with respect, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
- Research Practices: Faculty conducting research must follow ethical guidelines, including obtaining necessary approvals for projects involving human participants or hazardous materials.
- Avoiding Misconduct: Faculty must avoid data manipulation, plagiarism, and any unethical practices in research and publications. Proper authorship attribution must be maintained.
- Inclusivity: Faculty must promote diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that all individuals feel valued and respected regardless of their background.
- Professionalism: Faculty and staff must perform their duties with sincerity and integrity, including exam invigilation, paper valuation, and participation in institutional activities.
Section 5: Ethical Research and Publication Guidelines
Research and publication are integral to academic excellence. All members of the college community involved in research are expected to:
- Ensure Authenticity: Research data and findings must be genuine. Data manipulation, fabrication, or falsification is strictly prohibited.
- Maintain Transparency: All research methodologies and findings should be transparent and reproducible.
- Avoid Plagiarism: Proper credit must be given to original authors. Plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and submitting the same work for multiple publications are unethical.
- Authorship Integrity: Authorship should be based on significant contributions to the research. Undue credit or denial of rightful credit is unacceptable.
- Protect Participants: Research involving human participants must prioritize their safety, dignity, and confidentiality. Informed consent must be obtained before conducting studies.
- Adhere to Ethical Standards: Researchers must follow institutional and national ethical guidelines, especially when handling hazardous materials or sensitive data.
Section 6: Corrective and Punitive Measures
To ensure adherence to this Ethics Policy, the following measures will be employed to address breaches:
- Corrective Actions:
- Errors in academic work or research publications must be corrected promptly. Retractions, corrections, or apologies may be required, depending on the nature of the breach.
- Decisions influenced by bias or conflict of interest will be revisited to ensure fairness.
- Punitive Actions:
- Minor or first-time offenses may result in warnings or counseling.
- Serious or repeated violations will attract disciplinary actions, which may include suspension, expulsion, or termination, depending on the severity.
- Large-scale ethical violations may involve legal action or escalation to higher authorities.
Section 7: Promotion of Ethical Practices
The college will actively promote ethical practices by:
- Conducting regular workshops, seminars, and training sessions on ethics.
- Encouraging open dialogue on ethical dilemmas and challenges.
- Establishing mechanisms for reporting unethical practices anonymously.
- Recognizing and rewarding individuals who demonstrate exemplary ethical conduct.
Section 8: General Principles
This Ethics Policy serves as a cornerstone for fostering a culture of integrity, respect, and professionalism at St. Thomas College of Engineering & Technology. Adherence to this policy will ensure a harmonious and productive academic environment, contributing to the overall development of students, faculty, and staff.