TAM Report / Kyrgyzstan - Digital Ethics in Higher Education

GENERAL INFORMATION

TAM title: Fostering Digital Ethics in Higher Education: Ethical Technologies, Responsibility, and Rights in the Digital Age

Type of Event: Online Seminar with Workshop (Webinar format)

Modality: Online

Country: Kyrgyzstan

Dates: 27 November 2025

Participants: 70 participants representing university leadership, faculty, administrators, ministry representatives, IT and legal specialists, and experts in digital policy and AI (56 women, 14 men)

THEMES COVERED

• General ethics, academic integrity, and plagiarism in digital environments 
• AI in education: learning analytics, data privacy, and data surveillance 
• Digital literacy and AI literacy as foundations of digital ethics 
• Institutional responsibility, governance practices, and application of the national Digital Code

KEY OUTCOMES

During the workshop, participants:

• Deepened their understanding of digital ethics principles and their relevance for teaching, learning, assessment, and student support 
• Identified institutional gaps in AI policies, academic integrity frameworks, and data protection practices 
• Gained practical insights into tools and policies supporting ethical AI use and digital engagement 
• Expressed readiness to revise institutional regulations, develop AI guidelines, and strengthen awareness-raising and training activities 
• Reached consensus that digital ethics must be treated as a cross-cutting element of quality assurance and governance

OVERVIEW

The webinar addressed digital transformation and ethics in higher education, focusing on academic integrity, AI use, learning analytics, data protection, and institutional responsibility. The programme combined expert-led presentations, interactive discussions, breakout group work, and contributions from national experts and ministry representatives. Participants explored ethical and legal dimensions of AI in education, reflected on institutional responsibilities, and discussed practical steps for updating regulations and strengthening digital literacy. The seminar created momentum for developing institutional and national approaches to digital ethics, highlighting the need for structured policy development and capacity-building in Kyrgyzstan’s higher education system

THE FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY

Title of the activity: Follow-up to the TAM on Fostering Digital Ethics in Higher Education: Ethical Technologies, Responsibility, and Rights in the Digital Age

Dates: December 2025

Audience: National working group of experts (12 members from 6 institutions: Salymbekov University, ADAM University, IKSU, KSTU, IHSM, OshSU).

Description: The follow-up activity focused on the development of a Concept Note and Roadmap on Developing Digital Ethics in Higher Education in Kyrgyzstan. A national working group was formed during/after the TAM to draft and refine the document through consultations with universities and relevant public authorities. The Roadmap defines common principles, priority areas and a sequence of actions to strengthen academic integrity, responsible AI use, data protection and digital citizenship in Kyrgyzstan’s higher education system. The process used a participatory methodology, including stakeholder consultations, pilot universities and peer-learning activities. The activity translated the TAM discussions into a structured national policy process, framing digital ethics as a strategic priority within higher education reform. It contributed to stakeholder coordination, initiated institutional policy reviews in pilot universities, and laid the groundwork for formal endorsement and broader implementation at national level.

ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

• Finalise, endorse and publish the national Concept Note and Roadmap on Developing Digital Ethics in Higher Education in Kyrgyzstan, ensuring formal recognition by relevant ministries and higher education institutions.
• Formalise and operationalise the national working group on digital ethics (8–12 members), agree on a structured work plan, and establish a monitoring mechanism to guide implementation and track progress.
• Pilot institutional implementation in 5–7 universities by supporting the review and revision of internal regulations (e.g. AI use in teaching and assessment, academic integrity in digital environments, data protection and learning analytics policies).
• Develop and test prototype training modules on digital ethics and AI literacy for students and academic/administrative staff, with gradual scaling across institutions.
• Organise national capacity-building events (workshops, trainings, peer-learning activities) to disseminate pilot results, share good practices and strengthen institutional competences in AI governance and digital responsibility.
• Integrate digital ethics into national strategies and quality assurance frameworks, embedding responsible AI use, student digital rights and data governance into higher education standards and accreditation processes.
• Strengthen international cooperation and knowledge exchange, drawing on European and international standards and expertise to support policy refinement and institutional uptake.

RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

• Khalil, M. (2025). Fostering Digital Ethics in Higher Education: Ethical Technologies, Responsibility, and Rights in the Digital Age [Presentation]. Technical Assistance Mission (TAM), National Erasmus+ Office in Kyrgyzstan, 27 November 2025. Available at: https://erasmusplus.kg/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Kyrg_2nd_Presentation_edited_publish_11zon.pdf