Integrity is an important aspect in the development of a person’s personality and leadership. Integrity encompasses adherence to moral values, transparency, and honesty in every action. When integrity is applied in people’s daily lives, it provides a positive impact towards human civilization progress by strengthening moral and developing excellent leaders.

Integrity develops a moral foundation in people. Through the practice of moral values such as honesty, fairness, and welfare, people can achieve a balance in life. Integrity promotes humanity and empathy towards one another, builds society that spreads love and fairness. With strong moral values, a civilization can progress harmoniously and sustainably.

In addition, integrity helps to develop honest and fair leaderships. Leaders who practice integrity will become a good example to be emulated by people around them. Transparency in decision making, honesty in communication, and willingness to admit mistakes are characteristics that make leaders credible. Leaders with high moral values can unite society, lead by examples and create a conducive environment for mutual growth.

Integrity leads to the development of a strong value system in society. When integrity is emphasized in every aspect involving society, it becomes a foundation for fairness and equality. This provides an opportunity for each individual to progress according to their potential without considering the background or social standing. With the presence of a strong value system, society especially Malaysians can go through the challenges with more confidence and in unity.

Integrity can stimulate innovations and sustainable developments. Individuals who hold integrity highly tend to look for solutions that are fair and sustainable when managing social and economic challenges. It also encourages creative thinking, cooperation, and willingness to make changes that are needed for people’s wellbeing. Innovations based on integrity can lead to sustainable development, help society, and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Various activities can be carried out in the effort to instil integrity among society. Roadshows are a good platform for promoting the importance of integrity in society especially one involving students from public universities. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) believes integrity needs to be cultivated in students. In conjunction with Integrity Day celebrated in November, UMT organized UMT Integrity Day programme. Through activities and competitions such as Tik Tok Video competition, integrity-themed posters, integrity run, and photography competition, the programme was able to encourage society to learn more about integrity and practice it in daily life.

Producing leaders who have high integrity is a big challenge in this day and age due to outside influences, and materialism becoming the measuring stick when judging people has jeopardized integrity.

Instilling integrity in people is important to build human civilization that has good morals and leadership. Through the emphasis on moral values, development of excellent leadership, development of a value system that is strong and stimulates innovations, integrity becomes the main pillar in the development of society that is fair, competitive, and humane. Therefore, integrity education and awareness need to be bolstered to ensure the sustainability of noble and ethical civilizations.

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu