Ethical and Holistic Organisational Culture

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is committed to cultivating a holistic ethical organisational culture rooted in integrity, transparency, accountability, and respect for human dignity. These values are essential to ensuring that the university remains an inclusive, trusted, and socially responsible institution.

UMS implements integrity initiatives and tools as part of its good governance agenda. These include:

UMS affirms that ethics, values, and integrity are interconnected pillars:

  i) Ethics provide the standards of right conduct,
  ii) Values represent the University's core principles such as inclusivity, excellence, and mutual respect, and
iii) Integrity is the consistent application of ethics and values in all actions, decisions, and institutional processes.

This commitment is embedded through the following frameworks and practices:

a) Integrity Governance Tools and Mechanisms

UMS implements integrity initiatives and tools as part of its good governance agenda. These include:
1) Ikrar Integriti (Integrity Pledge):
A formal declaration by staff to uphold ethical behaviour, accountability, and anti-corruption principles in line with university and national standards. 
More details
2) Pekeliling Integriti (Integrity Circulars):
Official directives issued by the University Management that provide guidance on integrity-related expectations and reinforce professional and ethical conduct.
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3) Info Integriti (Integrity Information):
A dedicated platform or communication channel that educates staff and students on ethical values, best practices, and current integrity campaigns.
4)Borang Aduan Integriti (Integrity Complaint Form):
A formal channel for staff, students, or stakeholders to lodge complaints or report misconduct, discrimination, or unethical behaviour confidentially and without fear of retaliation. More details

These tools are coordinated under the relevant administrative units, including the Pejabat Penasihat Undang-Undang, the Integrity Officer/Unit (if available), and the UMS Quality Assurance and Strategic Planning Divisions, and are aligned with the guidelines of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Public Service Department (JPA).

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b) Integration of Ethics and Values in Education and Work

UMS actively promotes values such as respect, fairness, compassion, and civic responsibility in its curriculum, research, community engagement, and institutional operations. Ethical reasoning and social justice are embedded in:

i) Teaching and learning practices
ii) Staff performance assessments
iii) Co-curricular and leadership programmes

c) Supportive and Inclusive Environment

UMS provides a safe, inclusive, and psychologically healthy environment for students and staff. This is supported through:

i) Counselling and psychological support services
ii) Diversity and inclusion training
iii) Accessible channels for grievances and whistleblowing

d) Compliance and Continuous Improvement

UMS ensures that ethical practices are aligned with national laws and international standards such as:
i) Federal Constitution (Malaysia)
ii) MACC Act 2009 (for anti-corruption)
iii) Employment and Education-related Acts
iv) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The University periodically reviews its policies and culture-related initiatives through stakeholder feedback, internal audits, and strategic planning cycles.