INC’s mission is to continue to develop as a college of higher education by fostering a learning environment where students, faculty, personnel and stakeholders strive ethically to achieve their goals and fulfil their social responsibilities. We at INC will dedicate all our efforts to providing students personal support to excel academically, professionally and socially for today and the future.
INC’s mission is based on seven central components:
The College Internal Quality Assurance Committee hereby affirms the following principles concerning research:
For the implementation of the research policy the following actions are followed:
Copyright Policy:
Copyright is the ownership and control of the intellectual property in original works of authorship which are subject to copyright law.
The following policy aims in protecting the College assets and to establish principles for copyrightable material produced at the College:
Academic Honesty
INC ensures that academic work is original, and plagiarism is avoided both intentionally and accidentally. Researchers are informed about the nature of good scholarship and conversely forms of poor academic scholarship such as collusion and plagiarism. All personnel conducting research are advised to use HARVARD APA 7th to adequately credit the sources they use. Exceptions from Harvard APA 7th exist in cases that the conference or the journal they are applying to requests a different referencing styling format.
Plagiarism is considered a very serious offence by INC thus students are informed about the nature of good scholarship and conversely forms of poor academic scholarship such as collusion and plagiarism. In case of a plagiarism each case is dealt individually based on the percentage of work plagiarised. A set of rules are applied in case of a plagiarism.
Research ethics and the application of research integrity are essential in the scientific community. INC expects that its faculty and students will carry out academic assignments with the highest ethical and scientific standards of academic integrity and performance. Thus, the College academic community should adhere to the universally recognized ethical values.
INC takes into serious consideration the ethical codes and assists faculty conducting research to apply them correctly. Any ethical misconduct is considered a serious offence. INC has established an ethical consideration checklist that must be followed by all faculty members actively involved in research.
The ethical considerations can fall into the following categories:
Safety of People and Society
The results of scientific research are not meant to threaten or harm people and society, but should by their very nature encompass people, the environment, culture and systems in a non-harmful way. An evaluation of risks should be prepared with a participant centered approach, with the establishment of a threshold for normally acceptable risk. This threshold is generally set by determining the normal range of risk a participant encounters in everyday life. If the risk inherent in research participation does not exceed this standard, then the risk of participation could be seen as being within the threshold of normal acceptance.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Privacy involves the right to decide the extent to which personal data that is not already in the public domain may be disseminated. Confidentiality involves the preservation of a participant’s right to anonymity. All possible steps must be taken to ensure privacy and confidentiality of all personal information. If privacy and confidentiality cannot be maintained, it is important that this situation be identified during the process of obtaining informed consent. It is also important that privacy be treated within the boundaries of existing legislation. A guiding principle for involving participants in research, research-related and/or community engagement activities is that of voluntariness.
Data-handling
The way in which data is treated, secured and protected is a matter of concern. The purpose of data is to serve as evidence in building an argument and should therefore be reliable. INC understands that data
is misused, can lead to untrusted data.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism must be avoided as specified in the above section. A college manual on INCs plagiarism policy exist and is available on the INC online platform for all researchers to follow and refer to.
Consents
Research associated on and with human participants must include informed consents. Although partial disclosure and deception run contrary to the principles of informed consent, their use is acceptable as long as sufficient justification is provided. This justification must include: (a) the identification of partial disclosure/deception as the only feasible method for achieving the research objectives; (b) none of the information that is withheld would cause the participant to refuse participation if the information was provided; and (c) the level of risk involved in participation is not withheld. A participant’s involvement in research-related and/or community engagement must be through their own free will.
INC has prepared a generic consent form that can be adjusted based on the research requirements. All personnel conducting research must obtain a signed consent form from each participant prior to conducting the related research.
INC faculty members and researchers have the right to conduct research and publish their findings freely, provided they adequately fulfill their academic responsibilities. However, any research aimed at financial gain must receive approval from the Rector.
Faculty members can freely discuss their subjects in the classroom but should avoid introducing controversial topics that are unrelated to the curriculum. As professionals and representatives of the institution, faculty members enjoy freedom of expression as citizens, but their unique roles carry special responsibilities. They should be mindful that the public may evaluate their profession and institution based on their statements. Therefore, they must be accurate, exercise restraint, respect differing opinions, and clarify that their views do not represent the institution.
If faculty members believe their academic freedom has been violated, they can submit a written request to the Rector for an investigation. This request should clearly outline the events and circumstances that led to the concern. The Rector may then refer the matter to the Disciplinary Committee.
Internal Funding Opportunities
The College awards grants and funding to faculty to carry out research based on demonstrated research competency by the applicant, the value of the project submitted and its potential contribution to the College. Availability of grants and funding will be subject to the institutions annual budget. Applications can be submitted at the end of July for award the following academic year.
The following two schemes exist:
Faculty research grants scheme
Faculty research grant scheme enables full time faculty to pursue research projects that will lead to new publications. Grants provide seed money by providing funds to cover the costs of conducting research such as obtaining resources. This scheme’s purpose is to develop skills and practices that can be used later on for externally funded awards. The internal funding grants scheme applicants are expected to treat the process as they would to an external sponsor by providing a full research proposal and a budget along with timeline for the project.
Faculty Research Expenses Scheme
Faculty research expenses scheme enables faculty to request funding for publication expenses such as conference registration, seminar attendance, travelling etc. This scheme purpose is to establish publications by the faculty.
External Funding Opportunities
Faculty conducting research are advised and assisted by the College in their efforts to identify all the possible sources of funding for their projects. The appropriate application forms for each external funding organisation must be obtained.
Guidelines for application to external research grant agencies:
Each faculty takes responsibility for the quality and scientific merit of grant applications. The applicant will recommend to the School Quality Assurance Committee for the approval of the grant application to be submitted for external funding.
In cases where financial commitment is required (from the College to the funding agency) the application document must be submitted to the College Internal Quality Assurance Committee in sufficient time before the submission date.
In cases where academic staff secure outside funding or other resources (such as sponsored visits, grants, awards, equipment, funding assistance, etc.) without any college support, but where resources will be utilised as part of their research the College should be notified after the approval/allocation of such resources for record-keeping (and reporting) purposes.
Please find the funding application form for publication or conference, which collects key details about your project, such as objectives, budget, and outcomes, in order to determine eligibility and alignment with funding priorities. Accurate information will enable effective evaluation and resource allocation.
Faculty members can earn workload credit by participating in pre-approved research. Faculty members are required to submit a workload credit application to the Rector. The Rector is responsible to approve the application. This research should be pertinent to their field, of high quality and suitable for publication, and should be completed within a reasonable timeframe. Faculty members can also receive workload credit for taking on administrative tasks beyond their regular responsibilities. Moreover, the College is committed to supporting faculty research activities through financial assistance and other resources. It participates in European and International Research programs and encourages faculty involvement in research, attendance at conferences, and seminars by reducing teaching loads. Each year, the College compiles the ‘Annual Faculty Performance Appraisal’ that requires faculty to provide evidence of their research activities, seminar attendance, and participation in training or exchange programs.
INC promotes publishing of research papers and manuscripts in books, journals, conferences and other scientific media. Researchers can request assistance from the Department Internal Quality Assurance Committee in the publication process. Training can also be provided in cases that it is needed.
Published conference proceedings and conference attendance proceedings refer to the published record of a conference, congress, symposium or other meeting where the purpose is to disseminate original research and new developments within specific disciplines, sub-disciplines or fields of study.
Only articles published in approved conference proceedings are subsidized. Approved conference proceedings are those which appear in approved journal lists or other approved indices or those which meet the criteria laid out in the policy. Where proceedings are published in approved journals, the output will be treated as a journal article. Evidence or the pre-publication peer review process must be provided for every conference proceeding submitted for subsidy.
Stressball organization
Stressball is a non-governmental, non-political organization made up of young, socially active and aware individuals, full of creativity and a desire to work. These citizens have an alternative perspective and have come together to add their own touch to the cultural and social events in Cyprus. They are enthusiasts of creation, expression, social engagement, mobility, participation in community affairs, and giving back to fellow humans and the environment. “Stressball” was established in 2016 and is non-profit, based in Cyprus. It is located at the Volunteer House in Kokkinochoria. INC and “Stressball” signed up a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2024, aiming the promotion and enhancement of research in areas such as Culture, Environment, Unemployment, Entrepreneurship via the Erasmus+ KA120.
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
The Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, a higher education and research institution in the Republic of Latvia, conducts scientific research along with academic and professional programs. Its primary mission is to build intellectual capacity to support Latvia’s sustainable development, particularly in rural areas, while striving to become a modern, internationally respected university fully integrated into Europe’s unified space for higher education and science. Established in 1863, the university recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with INC to foster international cooperation and partnership in various fields, including Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Tourism, Culinary Arts, Bartending, Sciences, Erasmus programs, Research and Innovation, Higher Education Quality Assurance, Developing New Study Programs, and Summer Internships.
University of Kragujevac
The University of Kragujevac, established on May 21, 1976, has expanded to include 12 faculties and one institute spread across six towns in Central Serbia: Kragujevac, Čačak, Jagodina, Kraljevo, Užice, and Vrnjačka Banja. As a catalyst for innovation in education and research, the University fosters international collaboration, promoting unity among its members and significantly enhancing its reputation both nationally and internationally. INC and the University of Kragujevac (Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on promoting an international cooperation in the field of teaching, scientific and research, publishing activities and exchange of students, faculty members and administrators.
University of Osijek
The University of Osijek, established on May 31, 1975, continues a tradition of higher education in the city that dates back to the early 18th century. It evolved from Studium Philosophicum (1707) and Studium Theologicum (1724), culminating in a high-level general education institution in 1735. Today, the University comprises 12 faculties, an Academy of Arts and Culture, and four departments. Renamed in 1990 after Josip Juraj Strossmayer, a prominent figure in Croatian history, the University has overcome challenges such as the significant destruction during the Homeland War (1990s), which caused loss of lives and material damage. Post-war efforts have focused on rebuilding, organizational changes, and the expansion of programs and infrastructure. The University emphasizes integration, aligning with European higher education standards and the Bologna Process, while fostering international research collaborations and technological advancements. It takes pride in its association with notable figures, including Nobel laureates Lavoslav Ružička and Vladimir Prelog, Oscar winner Branko Lustig, and other distinguished contributors to science, arts, and sports.INC and the University of Kragujevac (Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on promoting an international cooperation in the field of Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Tourism, Culinary Arts, Bartending, Sciences, Erasmus programs, Research and Innovation, Higher Education Quality Assurance, Developing New Study Programs, and Summer Internships.
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