SCUPI

At 1:50 pm on October 18th, the Sichuan University – Pittsburgh Institute (SCUPI) held a special lecture on academic integrity in Classroom 407, Block C of Jiang’an Campus. This lecture was part of SCUPI’s Academic Integrity Month. Prof. Xu Jin delivered a lecture to the students with the theme “Upholding Integrity as the Foundation of Academia.” The event was well-received.

At the beginning of the lecture, Prof. Xu introduced the concept of the “ivory tower” to explain the academic pursuits of scholars. The term “ivory tower” originates from the French writer Sainte-Beuve. It was initially used to describe poets and artists who distanced themselves from society to immerse themselves in an idealized world of self-expression. Over time, the term has come to symbolize institutions of higher learning and the environments in which scholars work and live, representing the pursuit of academic independence and intellectual rationality, away from the distractions of everyday life.

Following this introduction, Prof. Xu discussed the concepts of morality and integrity. Integrity is not only a fundamental aspect of personal morality but also the core value of academic research, education, and social responsibility.

Academic integrity is the cornerstone of knowledge dissemination and innovation. Prof. Xu emphasized that academic research must be founded on integrity to ensure that research results are accurate and dependable, and to prevent misconduct such as plagiarism and fraud. This is essential for advancing academic progress and social development. Academic fraud not only tarnishes an individual’s reputation but also undermines the credibility of the entire academic community.

Moreover, as institutions responsible for nurturing future societal leaders, universities play a crucial role in strengthening the integrity of education. This helps shape students’ moral character and sense of responsibility, fostering traits of honesty and trustworthiness, which are essential for becoming ethical and responsible citizens.

Integrity is also vital for maintaining a fair academic environment and ensuring fair competition. Dishonest actions, such as plagiarism and cheating, can severely damage the fairness of the learning environment and harm the interests of others. If such behaviors go unpunished, they may encourage a culture of improper competition and negatively impact the academic atmosphere.

The reputation of universities relies on their academic and moral standards. When teachers and students uphold integrity, it enhances the institution’s credibility and reputation in society. Conversely, a lack of integrity can significantly damage a school’s reputation, affecting its social standing and the perception of its educational quality.

Prof. Xu also interacted with the students about stories related to morality and integrity in both China and the West. The students actively participated, sharing their perspectives on integrity. Prof. Xu stressed that without the foundation of integrity, higher education and even the operation of the entire human society will collapse. Therefore, students must internalize the importance of integrity, cultivating noble moral character, and adhering to laws and ethical standards.

Finally, Prof. Xu introduced the measures for handling academic integrity issues at the college. Using real cases of how SCUPI dealt with academic integrity violations, Prof. Xu demonstrated SCUPI’s firm stance of zero tolerance towards dishonesty. He once again emphasized that students must be strict with themselves and strive to be honest and ethical individuals.

The lecture concluded with warm applause. The students expressed that they gained valuable insights from Prof. Xu’s lecture and are committed to maintaining integrity in their academic and personal lives, striving to be honest and trustworthy individuals.