Student Code of Conduct

Last updated: 18 April 2026 · Applicable to all enrolled students, all campuses

1. Purpose & Scope

This Code of Conduct applies to all students enrolled at any TSMHS campus, in any programme, at any level. It applies on campus, at clinical placement sites, at TSMHS events, and in all online interactions where the student represents TSMHS.

2. Academic Integrity

TSMHS maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward academic dishonesty. The following constitute academic misconduct:

• Plagiarism — submitting another person's work as your own, with or without their knowledge
• Examination cheating — using unauthorised materials, communicating with others, or impersonating another student
• Fabrication — inventing or falsifying data, clinical findings, or research results
• Collusion — working with others on assignments designated as individual work
• Contract cheating — paying or arranging for another person to complete your work
• Falsifying records — altering academic certificates, clinical logs, or attendance records

Penalties range from a zero mark for the affected work to expulsion and referral to the relevant professional regulatory board.

3. Professional & Clinical Conduct

As a health professional in training, you are expected to uphold the standards of your future profession at all times — particularly during clinical placements.

• Treat all patients with dignity, respect, and compassion regardless of background
• Maintain strict patient confidentiality — do not discuss patient information outside appropriate clinical settings
• Never photograph, record, or share identifiable patient information without written consent
• Follow all infection control, hygiene, and safety protocols at placement facilities
• Report any errors, near-misses, or patient safety concerns to your supervising clinician immediately
• Never perform clinical procedures beyond your supervised scope of practice
• Arrive punctually and properly attired at all clinical placements
• Do not attend placements under the influence of alcohol or any substance

4. Attendance & Commitment

• A minimum attendance of 75% is required in all units to qualify for examinations
• Clinical attachment hours are mandatory and must be fully completed and logged
• Leave of absence must be applied for in advance through the Dean's office
• Unexplained absence of 14 consecutive days may result in automatic discontinuation

5. Respectful Community

TSMHS is committed to a learning environment free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination. You must not:

• Harass, bully, intimidate or victimise any student, staff member or visitor
• Discriminate on the basis of gender, tribe, religion, disability, nationality or socioeconomic status
• Use offensive, demeaning or derogatory language — in person or online
• Engage in sexual harassment of any kind
• Incite, threaten or engage in physical violence

See also our Anti-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity Policy.

6. Use of Campus Facilities & Property

• Campus facilities are for academic and authorised co-curricular use only
• Students are responsible for any damage caused to TSMHS property
• Labs, equipment, and simulation centres must be used under supervision only
• TSMHS IT systems must not be used for illegal, offensive, or commercial activities
• Unauthorised removal of TSMHS property is subject to disciplinary action and possible prosecution

7. Social Media & Online Conduct

• Do not post confidential information about patients, colleagues, or TSMHS operations online
• Do not represent personal opinions as the official position of TSMHS
• Identify yourself accurately when representing TSMHS in public or online forums
• Conduct that would be unacceptable on campus is equally unacceptable online

8. Disciplinary Process

Allegations of misconduct are handled through a formal process designed to be fair, transparent, and timely:

9. Sanctions

Disciplinary sanctions may include, in order of severity:

• Verbal or written warning
• Assignment of remedial work or community service
• Suspension from classes or clinical placements for a defined period
• Repetition of failed units at the student's cost
• Permanent expulsion from the institution
• Referral to professional regulatory bodies (KMPDB, KNB, KMLTTB, PPB)
• Referral to law enforcement where criminal conduct is involved

10. Student Rights

• The right to a fair, impartial and timely disciplinary process
• The right to be informed of allegations against you in writing
• The right to respond and present evidence before any decision is made
• The right to appeal any decision through the established appeals process
• The right to be accompanied by a fellow student (not a legal representative) at hearings
• The right to access your own academic and disciplinary records upon request

11. Reporting Misconduct

If you witness or experience misconduct, you are encouraged to report it. TSMHS will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who makes a good-faith report.