Corruption Practices in Higher Education: Attempt of Sociological Analysis

Abstract

The article deals with corruption practices in a higher educational institution at the level of interaction «a student – teacher/employee» and provides recommendations for building an effective anti-corruption strategy. The author relies on results of the sociological survey realized at the Zaporizhzhya National University among students 2 – 6th courses. It was revealed that students are characterized by the position of shifting responsibility to the teacher. An effective anti-corruption strategy for a higher education institution is possible if the focus is on activities whose positive effects are delayed in time, as well as understanding the need to influence the conditions that contribute to corruption, rather than trying to cope with the consequences. The principles of countering corruption in the university are openness at the formal level and publicity on the informal. That is why it is necessary to form «a critical mass» of students with zero tolerance for corruption through awareness-raising. The author proves, that minimization of corruption is associated with the implementation of «an incentive strategy» instead of «a strategy of intimidation».