Corruption in higher education is not a new phenomenon, but its scope and complexity are growing. Universities face a serious and ongoing challenge in mitigating and preventing corrupt practices within their academic and administrative systems. The University of Carthage takes this challenge seriously and is unequivocally committed to conducting all its activities with the highest standards of integrity, honesty, and transparency.
As a public institution of higher education and research, the University of Carthage has a particular responsibility to model ethical behavior. Our reputation, our academic mission, and the trust placed in us by students, staff, funding bodies, and society at large all depend on our ability to prevent, detect, and respond robustly to any form of bribery, corruption, or fraud.
This policy applies to all members of the University community without exception, including academic staff, administrative and technical staff, student representatives, contractors, consultants, and any third party acting on behalf of the University.
The University of Carthage holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, the international standard for Quality Management Systems. This certification underpins our commitment to documented, process-driven governance, continuous improvement, and stakeholder satisfaction. Anti-corruption and integrity principles are fully embedded within our Quality Management System: prevention of conflicts of interest, traceability of decisions, rigorous process control, and systematic risk assessment are integral components of our ISO 9001:2015 compliance framework. Any breach of this Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy therefore also constitutes a non-conformity under our Quality Management System and will be addressed through our established corrective action procedures.
In the context of a public higher education and research institution, corruption is understood as the abuse of entrusted authority — whether academic, administrative, or institutional — for personal gain or to confer undue advantage on others. The University of Carthage expressly prohibits the following forms of corrupt conduct:
A
Bribery
• Offering, promising, giving, requesting, or accepting any financial or non-financial advantage — directly or indirectly — in exchange for improper conduct in connection with the University's activities.
• This includes gifts, hospitality, payments, or favors intended to influence academic decisions (grades, admissions, research outcomes) or administrative decisions (procurement, appointments, contracts).
B
Academic Fraud & Misconduct
• Falsification, fabrication, or manipulation of research data, academic records, diplomas, certificates, or any official University document.
• Plagiarism, contract cheating, or facilitating the academic dishonesty of students in exchange for any form of compensation.
• Improper attribution of authorship, misrepresentation of academic credentials, or falsification of publication records.
C
Misappropriation of Public Funds
• Diversion, misuse, or embezzlement of university funds, public grants, research funding, or any other institutional resources for personal benefit.
• Submitting false or inflated financial claims, expense reports, or invoices.
• Misuse of University infrastructure, equipment, or intellectual property for personal or commercial gain outside the scope of authorized activities.
D
Abuse of Authority & Nepotism
• Using an institutional position to favor family members, personal associates, or affiliated parties in matters of recruitment, promotion, procurement, or academic evaluation.
• Exerting undue pressure on staff, students, or third parties to obtain personal benefits or to influence decisions improperly.
• Trafficking in influence: using one's position or network to obtain advantages from a third party in exchange for using that influence improperly.
E
Conflict of Interest
• Participating in a decision-making process in which one has a direct or indirect personal, financial, or professional interest without prior declaration.
• Engaging in external professional activities, consultancy, or commercial ventures that conflict with the University's interests without proper authorization and disclosure.
Established in 1988, the University of Carthage (UCAR) is a Tunisian public institution dedicated to education and research. Operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research,
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