The University Ethics Committee (UEC) plays a pivotal role in upholding the principles of academic ethics and integrity within higher education institutions. This article presents a comprehensive investigation into the activities and impact of the UEC at the Polytechnic University of Timisoara (UPT) over a critical three-year period, from 2019 to 2022. By examining the UEC's caseload, procedures, and challenges, this research seeks to shed light on the committee's efficacy in maintaining ethical standards within the university's academic community.

A thorough analysis of the UEC's work during the specified timeframe reveals a relatively low number of formal complaints lodged with the committee. This observation raises several questions about the factors influencing reporting rates. A potential contributing factor could be a lack of awareness among faculty, staff, and students regarding the UEC's existence, functions, and the avenues available for addressing ethical concerns. Additionally, the decentralized nature of ethical oversight at UPT, with individual faculties often handling such issues internally, might further explain the low complaint volume.

The findings underscore the importance of proactive measures to raise awareness and understanding of the UEC's role within the university. It also suggests the need for greater transparency and communication regarding the processes for reporting and investigating ethical breaches.

To optimize the UEC's effectiveness in safeguarding academic integrity, several strategic enhancements are proposed:
- Awareness Campaign: A targeted awareness campaign should be launched to educate the academic community about the UEC, its mandate, and the procedures for lodging complaints. This could involve informational sessions, workshops, and accessible online resources.
Expanded Scope: Consideration should be given to expanding the UEC's areas of competence to encompass emerging ethical challenges, such as those related to artificial intelligence, data privacy, and research misconduct in interdisciplinary fields.
- Streamlined Procedures: The complaint handling process could be streamlined to ensure timely and efficient investigations, with clear communication to all parties involved.
- Collaboration: The UEC should actively seek to collaborate with faculty-level ethics committees to foster a unified approach to addressing ethical issues and to share best practices.

The implementation of these recommendations holds the potential to strengthen the UEC's position as a guardian of academic integrity at UPT. By raising awareness, expanding its purview, and optimizing its processes, the committee can better fulfill its mission of promoting ethical conduct and maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence within the university. This research serves as a valuable starting point for further investigation and dialogue on the critical role of ethics committees in upholding academic integrity in the modern university landscape.

Keywords: Ethics, Integrity, Timisoara, University, Polytechnic.