Karadeniz Technical University adopts integrity, impartiality, transparency, accountability, protection of the public interest, avoidance of conflicts of interest, prohibition of the use of official duties and authority for personal benefit, and the proper management of public resources as fundamental principles of institutional governance.

The University publicly publishes its institutional principles concerning the prevention of corruption and bribery and supports these principles through ethical conduct regulations, ethical obligations applicable to public officials, internal control mechanisms, and disciplinary and legal procedures.

Public Officials’ Ethical Agreement

The Public Officials’ Ethical Agreement applies to public personnel employed at Karadeniz Technical University.

The Agreement explicitly emphasises that public service must take precedence over all forms of private interest and requires personnel to perform their duties in accordance with the principles of:

• respect for human rights,
• transparency,
• participation,
• integrity,
• accountability,
• protection of the public interest, and
• the rule of law.

The Ethical Agreement also requires public officials to perform their duties without accepting gifts, material or non-material benefits, or any other form of private advantage from natural or legal persons related to their official responsibilities.

These provisions constitute clear institutional commitments aimed at preventing bribery, improper benefits, and the misuse of public office for personal gain.

Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/dosyalar/17_00_00_f33ef.pdf

Prevention of Conflicts of Interest

Avoidance of conflicts of interest is established as one of the fundamental obligations within the ethical principles published and adopted by the University.

A conflict of interest includes situations involving personal, financial, or other interests that may influence, or may appear to influence, a public official’s ability to perform their duties impartially and objectively.

Public officials are required to:

• remain alert to actual or potential conflicts of interest,
• avoid situations that may give rise to conflicts of interest,
• inform their supervisors when they identify a conflict of interest, and
• distance themselves from the relevant interests where necessary.

These arrangements constitute an important institutional control mechanism designed to prevent corruption risks before they arise.

Evidence:
https://ktu.edu.tr/yonetim/ECr1J37QZR

Prohibition on Using Duties and Authority to Obtain Benefits

Under the Public Officials’ Ethical Conduct Principles adopted by the University, public officials are prohibited from using their duties and authority to obtain benefits for themselves, their relatives, or third parties.

The ethical framework addresses key principles including:

• avoidance of conflicts of interest,
• prohibition of the use of duties and authority to obtain personal or third-party benefits,
• prohibition on accepting gifts and obtaining improper benefits,
• use of public property and resources solely for public service purposes,
• declaration of assets,
• transparency, and
• accountability.

Together, these principles form the University’s institutional ethical framework for preventing bribery and corruption.

Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/dosyalar/17_00_00_f33ef.pdf

Reporting Unethical or Unlawful Activities

The ethical principles adopted by the University require public officials to report to the competent authorities any action or transaction that is incompatible with ethical principles or unlawful.

According to the relevant regulations, public officials must report the matter to the authorised authorities if they are instructed to carry out an action contrary to legislation or ethical conduct principles, or if they become aware of such an action or transaction in the course of their duties.

The regulations also require institutional managers to protect the confidentiality of employees who make such reports and to take necessary measures to prevent them from being harmed as a result of reporting.

This approach provides an institutional mechanism supporting the identification and reporting of corruption, irregularities, improper benefits, and other unlawful activities to the relevant authorities.

Evidence:
https://ktu.edu.tr/yonetim/ECr1J37QZR

Ethical Values and Integrity within the Internal Control System

Within the University’s internal control system, “Ethical Values and Integrity” is also defined as a distinct area of control.

Within the internal control structures of various University units, particularly the Department of Personnel and the Department of Strategy Development, the following are included among the fundamental components of the institutional control system:

• Public Officials’ Ethical Agreement,
• Public Officials’ Ethical Conduct Principles,
• Ethical Conduct Principles for Higher Education Institutions,
• ethical values and integrity,
• risk assessment, and
• control activities.

This structure demonstrates that risks related to corruption and irregularities are addressed not only through ethical documents but also through the University’s internal control and risk management processes.

Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/personel/ickontrol

Additional Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/sgdb/ic-kontrol

Karadeniz Technical University publicly communicates its principles and commitments regarding the prevention of corruption and bribery and supports them through ethical conduct rules, internal control systems, conflict-of-interest prevention measures, prohibitions on improper benefits and gift acceptance, mechanisms for reporting unlawful activities, and disciplinary and legal procedures.