Purpose of the Policy
This policy establishes the procedures to be followed when reporting or investigating cases of malpractice or maladministration relating to the accredited programs of the TRENDS Training Institute. Its purpose is to safeguard the integrity of the teaching, learning, and assessment process and to protect the professional reputation of the Institute.
Definitions
- Malpractice Any deliberate act committed by a trainee or a member of the TRENDS Training Institute’s staff that compromises the integrity of assessment or the validity of the certificate awarded. Examples include plagiarism, cheating, impersonation, and the falsification of records or information.
- Maladministration Any unintentional failure to comply with the Institute’s administrative policies and procedures, such as delays in trainee registration, failure to maintain accurate records, or errors in processing certificate requests.
Preventive Measures
The TRENDS Training Institute is committed to implementing appropriate measures and controls to minimize malpractice and maladministration while safeguarding the integrity of the training process. This includes ensuring that trainees and trainers are informed of the provisions and requirements of this policy upon enrolling in or participating in the delivery of training programs.
The Institute also implements appropriate procedures to verify the authenticity of submitted assignments and work, ensuring compliance with academic and professional integrity standards through approved tools and professional review by qualified personnel.
The Institute reserves the right to review any work, documents, or records relating to its training programs whenever necessary and to take appropriate action in respect of any suspected breach of this policy or of the Institute’s applicable rules and procedures.
Reporting Procedures
Any suspected case of malpractice or maladministration must be reported immediately to the Institute Director. All reports shall be treated with the strictest confidentiality, and an investigation shall commence within five (5) working days to ensure fairness, transparency, and due process.
Where there is reason to suspect maladministration or malpractice, the Institute shall review and verify all available information and evidence in accordance with its approved internal procedures.
If a breach or deficiency affecting the integrity of the training process or the accuracy of official records is confirmed, the Institute shall take appropriate action within its authority, which may include:
- Correcting the relevant records or data.
- Requiring the completion or resubmission of assignments or training activities where necessary.
- Reviewing any assessment results affected by the case under investigation.
- Temporarily withholding the issuance of certificates until all requirements have been satisfied or the matter has been resolved.
- Where training materials or content are found to infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties, immediately suspending the use of the infringing content, removing and replacing the affected materials, and communicating with the relevant rights holders where appropriate.
- Implementing appropriate administrative measures to prevent recurrence and improve the quality of internal processes and procedures.
- Documenting all reported cases, investigations, findings, and corrective actions and maintaining such records in accordance with the Institute’s approved policies.
