Code of Conduct

1. Purpose

This Code of Conduct establishes the behavioural, professional and ethical standards expected from all individuals associated with Ignited Minds Academy.

IMA is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, respectful and academically responsible environment for teaching, learning, mentorship, research, professional development and institutional collaboration.

2. Scope

This Code applies to:

• Program Mentors
• Trainers and speakers
• Participants and learners
• Faculty members and resource persons
• Reviewers and evaluators
• Employees and volunteers
• Academic advisors
• Institutional representatives
• Collaborating organisations
• Vendors and service providers
• Visitors attending IMA programmes
• Individuals participating through online platforms

The Code applies during:

• Online and offline programmes
• Meetings and consultations
• Institutional visits
• Programme-related communication
• Social-media interactions
• Email, WhatsApp and group communication
• Mentorship sessions
• Assessments and evaluations
• Events conducted under IMA branding

3. Expected Standards of Conduct

All individuals are expected to:

• Act honestly, responsibly and professionally.
• Treat others with dignity and respect.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Communicate politely and constructively.
• Respect diverse opinions and backgrounds.
• Follow programme instructions and schedules.
• Protect confidential and personal information.
• Use Academy resources responsibly.
• Disclose relevant conflicts of interest.
• Comply with applicable laws and institutional policies.
• Avoid conduct that may harm participants, institutions or the Academy's reputation.

4. Respectful and Inclusive Behaviour

IMA does not tolerate discrimination based on:

• Race
• Ethnicity
• Nationality
• Religion
• Gender
• Gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• Age
• Disability
• Language
• Social or economic background
• Academic status
• Political belief
• Professional position
• Any other protected characteristic

All participants must be provided with a fair opportunity to learn, engage, ask questions and express respectful viewpoints.

5. Prohibited Conduct

The following behaviour is prohibited:

• Harassment
• Bullying
• Intimidation
• Threats
• Hate speech
• Personal attacks
• Sexual harassment
• Unwanted sexual attention
• Discriminatory remarks
• Offensive jokes
• Public humiliation
• Defamation
• Stalking
• Retaliation against complainants
• Unauthorised recording
• Misuse of personal data
• Financial exploitation
• Fraudulent representation
• Promotion of illegal activity
• Repeated disruption of programme activities
• Aggressive or abusive communication

6. Conduct of Program Mentors and Trainers

Program Mentors and Trainers must:

• Deliver sessions professionally and punctually.
• Use accurate and responsible programme content.
• Follow the approved programme structure.
• Avoid misleading or exaggerated claims.
• Maintain respectful boundaries with participants.
• Avoid favouritism and discriminatory treatment.
• Not solicit money directly from participants without authorisation.
• Not promote unrelated products or services.
• Not misuse participant details for personal marketing.
• Not guarantee employment, admission, publication, funding, certification or financial returns.
• Clearly disclose sponsored recommendations or commercial interests.
• Refer regulated matters to qualified professionals where necessary.

7. Conduct of Participants

Participants must:

• Join sessions on time.
• Follow programme instructions.
• Interact respectfully with mentors and other participants.
• Avoid disrupting live sessions.
• Not share meeting links or access credentials without permission.
• Not record, reproduce or distribute programme content without authorisation.
• Complete assessments honestly.
• Avoid plagiarism or impersonation.
• Use discussion groups only for relevant programme communication.
• Respect the privacy of speakers and other participants.

8. Online Conduct

During online programmes, participants and mentors should:

• Use an appropriate display name.
• Maintain professional language.
• Keep microphones muted when requested.
• Avoid posting offensive or unrelated content.
• Protect meeting links and passwords.
• Avoid screen recording without permission.
• Not share screenshots containing personal information without consent.
• Follow instructions issued by the programme coordinator.

IMA may remove any person from an online session where their behaviour is disruptive, threatening or inappropriate.

9. Social Media Conduct

Individuals representing or referring to IMA must:

• Avoid presenting personal opinions as official Academy statements.
• Not publish confidential information.
• Not use the Academy logo without permission.
• Avoid misleading statements regarding their role.
• Not post defamatory, abusive or discriminatory content.
• Seek approval before publishing official programme material created independently.

Constructive feedback is welcome, but it must be communicated responsibly.

10. Conflicts of Interest

Individuals must disclose any relationship, financial interest, sponsorship, institutional affiliation or personal interest that could improperly influence:

• Programme selection
• Evaluation
• Assessment
• Recommendations
• Participant treatment
• Institutional collaboration
• Commercial arrangements

IMA may modify responsibilities or remove an individual from a process where a conflict cannot be appropriately managed.

11. Confidentiality

Confidential information must not be disclosed without authorisation.

This includes:

• Participant data
• Internal programme plans
• Institutional proposals
• Pricing
• Commercial arrangements
• Unpublished content
• Assessment materials
• Complaints
• Investigation records
• Access credentials
• Personal or professional information

12. Reporting Misconduct

Concerns may be reported through the official grievance or ethics communication channel.

Reports should include, where possible:

• Name of the person involved
• Description of the concern
• Date and location
• Programme or event name
• Supporting evidence
• Names of witnesses
• Any immediate safety concern

Reports made in good faith will be reviewed fairly.

13. Consequences of Misconduct

Depending on the seriousness of the violation, IMA may:

• Issue an informal advisory
• Give a written warning
• Remove a participant from a session
• Cancel programme access
• Withhold certification pending review
• Require corrective action
• Suspend a mentor or trainer
• Remove programme material
• Terminate an association
• Inform a collaborating institution
• Report unlawful conduct to relevant authorities

14. Non-Retaliation

IMA prohibits retaliation against any individual who:

• Reports misconduct in good faith
• Participates in an investigation
• Raises an academic concern
• Seeks support under this Code

False or malicious complaints may themselves be treated as misconduct.

15. Acceptance

Participation in any IMA programme or association with the Academy indicates acceptance of this Code of Conduct.