On Tuesday, 9th July 2019, the Ashesi Judicial Committee (AJC) ruled on a case of academic misconduct (violation of Examination Code of Conduct and Examination Rules). 

The AJC concluded that the students, members of the Class of 2022, were guilty of cheating, exchanging materials and making gestures during an examination thereby, violating the Examination Code of Conduct and Examination Rules. While there hasn’t been any record of informal resolution of the students, the case was escalated to AJC due to the severity of the act and also after the offenders denied any wrongdoing when asked by the invigilators after the paper. 

As stated in Ashesi’s student handbook:

Academic dishonesty includes plagiarism, unauthorized exchange of information or use of material during an examination, unauthorized transfer of information or completed work among students, use of the same paper in more than one course, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, and other unethical behaviors.  Disciplinary action will be taken against the perpetrators of academic dishonesty. – Section 7.4

After deliberating, the AJC arrived at the following sanction:

These students will receive a failing grade (E) for the course, January – May 2019.

Advice to the Ashesi Community:

The AJC encourages the community to remember that lack of academic integrity will have serious repercussions. The AJC would like to further remind the Ashesi community of the following:

• Students should know that regardless of whether they have signed unto the Honour Code or not, they are bound by the Examination Code of Conduct and Examination Rules (pg.39-40 of Students’ Handbook)
• Students should know that the standards/expectations at Ashesi are high no matter the circumstances
• Students are strongly encouraged to report or speak up when they see any member(s) of the Ashesi community violating any rule

 We trust that this case will serve as a learning experience for our community. Academic honesty is very important at Ashesi and is central to our mission: To train a new generation of ethical and entrepreneurial leaders in Africa; to cultivate within our students the critical thinking skills, concerns for others and courage it will take to transform a continent