Stardom University (SDU) recognises that AI literacy is a valuable 21st-century competency. At the same time, SDU has a responsibility to ensure that student learning, critical thinking, and academic outputs authentically represent the student’s own intellectual effort.

This policy provides a clear framework for the permissible and impermissible uses of AI in academic work at SDU.

Policy Details:

Rationale:
The rapid advancement and widespread accessibility of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools including but not limited to ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude, Copilot, and Grammarly AI presents both opportunities and significant academic integrity challenges for higher education institutions worldwide.

Sanctions for AI Misconduct:

• First offence (minor): Written warning; assignment resubmission required.
• First offence (major – full AI submission): Zero grade for the assessment; academic integrity training required.
• Repeat offence: Fail grade for the module; referral to Academic Disciplinary Panel.
• Severe / repeat (deliberate): Expulsion from SDU; notation on academic record.
  

Faculty Responsibilities:

• Clearly communicating AI use permissions in every module guide at the start of each semester.
• Designing assessments that authentically measure student learning and are robust to AI substitution.
• Reporting suspected AI misconduct promptly through the formal investigation channel.
• Staying current with developments in AI technology and SDU’s evolving guidance.

SDU expects all students to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and personal conduct, whether in virtual classrooms, digital communications, or examinations. This policy outlines expected behaviors and the transparent, multi-tiered process for addressing violations.

Our goal is to protect the academic integrity of the University while safeguarding student rights through fair and objective procedures.

Policy Details (Due Process & Appeals):

Students subject to investigation are guaranteed full due process rights, including written notice, access to evidence, representation, and a formal three-stage appeal pathway. UK-based students retain the right to escalate eligible cases to the UK Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA).

Stardom University is committed to providing a fair, transparent, and accessible complaints process that enables students to raise concerns about any aspect of their academic experience or the services they receive.

This policy ensures that all complaints are handled promptly, impartially, and in a manner that respects the dignity of all parties involved. SDU views complaints as valuable feedback that drives institutional improvement.

Policy Details (The Three-Stage Process):

Stage 1 (Informal Resolution): Concerns raised directly with module instructors or Student Affairs (Target: 10 working days).

Stage 2 (Formal Complaint): Submitted via the formal portal, investigated by an independent Complaints Officer (Target: 20 working days).

Stage 3 (Appeals Panel): Independent panel review on procedural or evidence-based grounds (Target: 30 working days).

External Escalation: Eligible UK students may refer cases to the OIA upon receiving a Completion of Procedures Letter.

Stardom University enforces a rigorous framework for academic supervision, thesis defense, and degree completion for Master’s and Doctoral programs, as well as Bachelor’s graduation projects.

Grounded in international quality standards, this policy establishes clear operational boundaries between supervision and evaluation, ensures research integrity, defines timelines and publication requirements, and standardizes institutional branding across all faculties.

Policy Details: Click Here

Stardom University is committed to continuously enhancing the quality of its academic programmes and student experience.

Our Internal Quality Assurance Policy is designed in full compliance with recognized international standards (including ENQA ESG and QAA).
It establishes a systematic framework for monitoring, evaluating, and improving all aspects of our educational provision through regular reviews, student feedback, and external examination.

Policy Details (Quality Assurance Structure):

Overseen by the Institutional Quality Committee (IQC), quality processes include Annual Programme Monitoring (APM), 5-year Periodic Programme Reviews (PPR), and annual External Examiner reports to validate academic rigour and assessment standards across all international branches.

The Professional and Academic Code of Ethics establishes the core values and behavioral standards for all SDU staff, faculty, and stakeholders. Grounded in integrity, respect, and non-discrimination, this Code ensures a safe, inclusive, and highly professional working and learning environment. It sets strict guidelines on conflicts of interest, data privacy, and digital ethics to protect the University community.

Policy Details (Behavioral Standards):

The Code governs professional conduct, avoidance and disclosure of conflicts of interest, cybersecurity standards, research integrity, and fair treatment. Violations are managed according to transparent, proportionate disciplinary measures.

Stardom University (SDU) is unequivocally committed to creating an inclusive academic environment in which every student and staff member is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness regardless of age, disability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other protected characteristic.

Policy Details (Widening Participation & Access):

SDU is committed to removing barriers to higher education for under-represented groups. SDU’s Widening Participation commitments include:

• Flexible payment plans for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Multilingual support for non-native English-speaking students (Arabic, Turkish primary languages).
• Fully online delivery model eliminating geographic and mobility barriers.
• Annual scholarship and fee-waiver review for qualifying students.

SDU upholds the highest standards of institutional transparency and academic justice. The Permanent Discipline & Complaints Committee (PDCC) operates as an independent body to handle serious student violations and formal staff complaints. It ensures that all disciplinary processes are fair, timely, and proportionate, strictly adhering to the principles of natural justice and international accreditation standards.

Policy Details (Guarantees & Non-Retaliation):

The PDCC functions with quasi-judicial independence. SDU guarantees absolute protection against retaliation for any individual filing a complaint in good faith. Complete operational protocols and grievance pathways are published on internal portals.

SDU’s Faculty Promotion Regulations provide a rigorous, globally aligned framework for academic advancement. Promotions are based on a comprehensive evaluation of teaching excellence, impactful research output, and community service. By maintaining high standards for academic ranks, the University ensures that students are guided by internationally recognised scholars and dedicated educators.

Policy Details (Evaluation Basis):

Research and academic output submitted for promotion undergo stringent review processes, including evaluation by independent external peer reviewers from accredited international institutions. Full procedural guidelines are maintained within the Academic Affairs Division.

Stardom University (SDU) recognizes that the quality of its academic staff is the single most important determinant of the quality of its students’ educational experience. This policy establishes the framework for recruiting qualified faculty, evaluating their performance fairly and transparently, and investing in their continuous professional growth all in alignment with international quality standards.

Policy Details (Student Evaluation of Teaching):

Student feedback on teaching quality is systematically collected at the end of every module through the SDU Module Evaluation Survey. Results are:

• Shared confidentially with the individual faculty member.
• Reviewed in aggregate by the Dean of Faculty.
• Used as input (not the sole determinant) in the Annual Performance Review.
• Published in anonymized, aggregated form in the Annual Quality Report.
• Threshold: The minimum acceptable average student satisfaction score for any individual module is 65%. Modules scoring below this threshold trigger a structured review by the Dean of Faculty.

Stardom University is dedicated to attracting and retaining distinguished academic talent from around the world. The Faculty Academic Loyalty Programme (SLP) is a merit-based framework designed to recognise and reward sustained excellence in teaching, research, and institutional contribution. Through transparent and equitable criteria, SDU ensures a stable, high-performing academic environment that directly benefits our students’ educational experience.

Policy Details (Governance & Scope):

The programme operates transparently through a cumulative points system. Full contractual details, point conversion tables, and tier benefits are accessible to active faculty members through the University Staff Portal.

As an international online university with legal presence in the United States, United Kingdom, Turkey, and Egypt, Stardom University (SDU) collects, processes, stores, and transfers personal data relating to its students, staff, and partners. SDU is legally obligated to handle this data responsibly and transparently.

This policy establishes SDU’s data protection framework, ensuring compliance with all applicable data protection legislation across its jurisdictions of operation.

Policy Details (Third-Party Data Sharing):

SDU does not sell personal data to third parties. Data is shared only in the following circumstances:

• With accreditation bodies and regulatory authorities as legally required.
• With the Smowl examination integrity platform under a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) compliant with GDPR.
• With government bodies upon lawful request (e.g., immigration authorities for student visa verification).
• With cloud infrastructure providers subject to appropriate data transfer safeguards (Standard Contractual Clauses for UK/EU transfers).