Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of higher education, underpinning the credibility of institutions, the quality of research, and the ethical development of students. While many universities implement policies to prevent misconduct, fostering a true culture of integrity requires more than enforcement. This paper explores the challenges universities face in promoting academic integrity, including technological pressures, cultural differences, academic stress, and limited awareness of policies. It further highlights best practices such as developing clear and accessible guidelines, embedding integrity into curricula, empowering faculty as role models, designing assessments that discourage misconduct, and providing student support services. The role of technology is examined as both a risk and a resource for integrity. The discussion emphasizes that integrity must be cultivated as a shared institutional value that prepares graduates to act ethically in professional and societal contexts. Promoting academic integrity thus extends beyond compliance, positioning it as a transformative element of education that strengthens trust in higher education globally.

Academic integrity; higher education; plagiarism; ethics; university policy; student behavior; academic culture; contract cheating; integrity education

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