Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy at King Abdulaziz University:
The University has adopted an anti-bribery and anti-corruption policy aimed at promoting a culture of integrity and transparency within King Abdulaziz University, and preventing all forms of bribery and financial or administrative corruption. This is achieved by establishing clear standards for professional conduct and ensuring that all University personnel comply with the relevant national regulations, thereby contributing to justice, protecting public funds, and strengthening institutional trust. To view the Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy at King Abdulaziz University, For More ...click here.
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Nazaha system is one of the most prominent tools aimed at combating corruption and promoting transparency and integrity in both government and private institutions. The system aims to provide protection for whistleblowers and enhance trust in government agencies.
Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha):: The goal is to combat corruption in both the public and private sectors, and to enhance transparency and accountability.
Bribery: offering, giving or receiving anything of value with the intention of inducing a person to act or to reward a person for having acted.
Corruption: dishonest or fraudulent conduct by a person or an organization which is entrusted in a position of authority.
According to the regulations of the Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, in Chapter Two, titled "The Authority's Organization, Tasks, and Competencies," Article Four states the following:
Article Four:
The authority is concerned with administrative oversight over public entities, protecting integrity, promoting transparency, and combating corruption. To this end, it has the following competencies:
- -Conducting necessary oversight to detect administrative violations and corruption crimes, and taking the required actions in this regard, according to the relevant regulations.
- -Receiving complaints and reports related to administrative violations and corruption crimes, verifying their validity, and taking necessary legal action.
- -Investigating administrative and financial violations and corruption crimes, filing lawsuits before the competent court, and taking necessary action, according to the relevant regulations.
- -Conducting investigations and criminal enforcement in corruption crimes and taking necessary actions, according to the relevant regulations.
- -Following up on the recovery of funds and returns resulting from corruption crimes, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, and completing necessary actions accordingly.
- Taking precautionary and protective measures against individuals for whom there is evidence or suspicion of involvement in corruption crimes, according to the relevant regulations.
- -Taking all necessary actions to provide protection for whistleblowers or those providing information about administrative violations or corruption crimes, according to the applicable regulations.
- -Reviewing the work methods and procedures in public entities to protect integrity and promote transparency, identifying weaknesses that could lead to violations or corruption crimes, and working on addressing them.
- -Coordinating with public entities to enhance and develop measures, mechanisms, and tools for preventing violations or corruption crimes, and updating them.
- -Raising awareness about the concept of corruption, highlighting its dangers and consequences, and emphasizing the importance of protecting integrity, promoting transparency, and self-regulation. Encouraging efforts from both public and private sectors, as well as non-governmental organizations, to adopt plans and programs for protecting integrity, promoting transparency, and combating corruption. For more details about the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority's regulations, please click [here].
Since King Abdulaziz University is a public university, it is committed to implementing the rules and regulations of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority. It also adheres to the systems and regulations issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and affirms its commitment to these regulations through the official website of the General Administration of Human Resources at King Abdulaziz University.
To view the website, click here.
One of the most important of these regulations is the "Executive Regulation for Human Resources in the Civil Service," which includes provisions that emphasize the employee's obligation to comply with the regulation. It also contains sections
that emphasize the employee's obligation to comply with the regulation. It also contains sections that emphasize integrity, anti-bribery, anti-corruption, and the abuse of power.
Article (206) from Chapter Eight (Job Duties) states the following:
A- The government entity must announce the regulation, the code of conduct, and the ethics of public office to its employees and raise awareness about them through various means deemed appropriate. B- The employee must review the code of conduct, the ethics of public office, and the job duties, and comply with them in practice. Violating the provisions of the regulation and the rules outlined in the code of conduct constitutes a violation of job duties and requires taking the appropriate legal action against the violating employee.
Article (209) of the executive regulations for human resources in the civil service stipulates:
A- It is prohibited for the employee to perform the following:
Abuse and malpractice of authority.
Exploit the position.
Accepting or requesting a bribe or committing form stipulated in the Anti-Bribery Law.
In the same context, the University also complies with the Code of Conduct and Ethics for Public Employees, issued by Cabinet Resolution No. (555) dated 25/12/1437 AH. This code provides general definitions related to public service, professional conduct, and public-sector ethics. It also includes a list of general prohibitions applicable to public employees, including those related to the confidentiality of information and documents, public funds, privileges, and gifts. The document also includes, in Chapter Five, the Conflict of Interest Policy (Article 19) and the Anti-Corruption Policy (Article 20), which state the following:
As part of the efforts to combat corruption, employees are required to:
• -Report in writing to their direct supervisor any violations of laws or regulations discovered during the course of their work.
•- Notify the competent authorities of any corruption they discover while performing their duties.
• -Cooperate with the competent authorities in administrative, financial, and criminal investigations.
• -Immediately inform their supervisor if they are subjected to a bribery attempt. The supervisor must take the necessary measures, prepare an incident report, and notify the competent authorities.
To view the full Code of Conduct and Ethics for Public Employees,For More click here.
King Abdul-Aziz University is committed to providing an academic and administrative work environment that promotes the values of transparency and fairness, and works to combat corruption in all its forms. To achieve this goal, the university has a set of organized policies and procedures that ensure there is no favoritism or manipulation in various academic and administrative fields. These policies aim to create an educational environment that focuses on academic and research excellence, free from any unprofessional interference or corruption. Among these policies is the following: "Code of Ethics for Faculty Members and Their Equivalent at King Abdulaziz University"**, which aims to regulate the behavior of faculty members, guiding them toward actions characterized by integrity and professionalism, enhancing the institution's reputation, and achieving a healthy and educational environment. This includes ensuring that faculty members avoid accepting gifts or bribes, maintaining integrity and honesty, and refraining from abusing their authority. Section four, titled "Ethical Principles", includes the following principles that faculty members are expected to adhere to:
- -Justice
- -Honesty
- -Loyalty
- -Equality and non-discrimination
- -Trust between individuals
- -Respect for confidentiality and privacy
- -Integrity and neutrality
In the section on duties and responsibilities under the ethics in teaching, item (14) of the code states:
"Faculty members should not accept any gifts or donations that may affect their work at the university, except after reporting them through the official channels at the university. Gifts and donations should not be linked to any influence on the policies or decisions of the department, college, university, or colleagues."
In the section on duties and responsibilities under the university domain, item (2) states:
"Do not use the academic or administrative position to gain unjust personal benefits or unfair advantages that are incompatible with the position."
Item (11) emphasizes:
"Do not request the purchase of equipment, devices, or services from any source with which you or any of your colleagues have any familial or personal relationship."Item (12) states:
Do not employ any family member as an employee or consultant in any project overseen by the university unless approved by a specialized committee."In the section on duties and responsibilities under the domain of scientific research and scholarly production, items (4) and (6) emphasize scientific integrity and respect for the intellectual property of others
"Conflict of Interest Policy at King Abdulaziz University"
The primary goal of the "Conflict of Interest Policy at King Abdulaziz University" is to maintain the integrity of the educational and administrative processes at the university and ensure that academic and administrative decisions are made based on objective criteria, free from personal interests. This is achieved through a set of rules and commitments that must be implemented. This policy was reviewed on 7/4/1446 AH.
To view the policy, click here.
Many policies at King Abdulaziz University align with the Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy, including the Leadership Evaluation Policy and the Faculty Evaluation Policy. In this context, the university also adheres to the general Code of Conduct, which was adopted under Ministerial Decree No. 555 dated 25/12/1437. These rules provide general definitions of public office, professional behaviors, and public work ethics. Additionally, the policy outlines general prohibitions for employees in the public sector, including specifics related to the confidentiality of information and documents, public funds, privileges, and gifts. The policies at King Abdulaziz University are reviewed every 5 years.
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King Abdulaziz University encourages its members to report any violations or instances of corruption they may observe through the electronic platform of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. This platform aims to promote the principles of transparency and integrity by facilitating the reporting of violations and ensuring that necessary actions are taken to investigate and address them.