Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
In fostering integrity, professionalism, and transparency within the educational consultancy industry, a comprehensive set of rules and principles is paramount. FACD-CAB, as the authority overseeing the country's foreign education services, has formulated a cohesive set of principles and beliefs, which have evolved into FACD-CAB's Code of Conduct. These guidelines are binding for all members affiliated with FACD-CAB and have been made readily accessible to members, educational institutions, and stakeholders via the organization's website. Presented below is the comprehensive outline of FACD-CAB's Code of Conduct.
Code of Conduct for Educational Consultancy Services:
1. Short Title and Commencement:
- These Codes of Conduct shall be referred to as the Code of Conduct for Educational Consultancy Services, effective from 0001 (2022).
- These Codes of Conduct shall be in immediate effect upon adoption.
2. Definitions:
- "Statute" refers to the Statute of the Foreign Admission & Career Consultants Association of Bangladesh (FACD-CAB).
- Educational Consultancy" denotes consultancy services provided to students desiring education in domestic or foreign countries.
- "Service charge" signifies the fee for educational consultancy services.
- "Association" signifies the Foreign Admission & Career Consultants Association of Bangladesh (FACD-CAB).
- "Executive Committee" denotes the governing body of the Foreign Admission & Career Consultants Association of Bangladesh (FACD-CAB).
- "General Assembly" refers to the General Assembly of the Foreign Admission & Career Consultants Association of Bangladesh (FACD-CAB), including Extraordinary General Assemblies.
- "Organization" denotes a legally registered professional firm or company engaged in providing educational consultancy services.
- "Member" signifies an affiliate of the Foreign Admission & Career Consultants Association of Bangladesh (FACD-CAB).
3. Mandatory Codes of Conduct for Members:
- Members must adhere to the following codes of conduct while practicing within the educational consultancy profession:
- Services must be provided ethically, maintaining professional integrity, and in a reasonable physical condition.
- Accurate information on suitable foreign educational institutions must be offered based on students' precise needs.
- Consultancy shall only be provided on matters understood and authorized by the member, founded on truth and facts.
- Consultancy shall only be provided on matters understood and authorized by the member, founded on truth and facts.
- Advising students on appropriate educational institutions based on their academic levels and financial capacities is essential.
- Consultancy actions must adhere to written agreements, including service charges, without exceeding the scope of the agreement.
- Service charges should be transparent, with receipts issued for the same.
- Charging conditional fees or extra charges based on success is prohibited.
- Fabrication of documents or providing assistance thereof is strictly prohibited.
- Misleading or wrongful influence is not permitted.
- Guarantees for visas, admissions, jobs, or I-20 forms are not to be offered.
- The consultancy should not be exploited solely for income generation.
- Individuals involved in financial dishonesty or malicious activities should not be engaged in consultancy activities.
- Members should follow Association instructions, inform the Association of professional matters, and seek guidance when needed.
4. Advertisement Codes of Conduct:
Members are required to adhere to the following codes of conduct when advertising:
- Advertisements must not be misleading or sensationalized.
- Advertisements should focus on educational matters and not misrepresent native education.
- Guarantees, including visa, I-20, job, or admission guarantees, should not be advertised.
- Charges, if applicable, must be clearly indicated in advertisements.
5. Filing Complaints:
- Complaints can be filed by parties affected by actions inconsistent with the Association's Statute, Code of Conduct, or professional ethics.
6. Review of Complaints:
- Complaints may be rejected if lacking reasonable grounds or evidence, are not based on clear reasons, are filed beyond a reasonable timeframe, or are found to be irrational or malicious.
7. Action on Complaints:
The Executive Committee's actions on complaints include:
- Membership cancellation for repeated Statute and Code of Conduct violations, with public notices.
- Suspension or cancellation of membership based on severity and context.
- Appropriate actions against violations of professional ethics and dignity.
8. Addressing Member Disobedience:
- The Executive Committee can take actions ranging from admonition to membership cancellation against members disobeying Association orders and instructions.
9. Action Rationale:
- The Executive Committee must provide a fair opportunity for defense and articulate the rationale and grounds for actions taken. The General Assembly may review complaints against Executive Committee actions.
The FACD-CAB Code of Conduct serves as a steadfast guide to maintaining professionalism, ethical standards, and accountability within the educational consultancy field, contributing to the development of a trustworthy and transparent educational consultancy ecosystem.