THE IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING ETHICS IN PROFESSIONAL STUDY PROGRAMMES

Sa？etak Analysed in this paper are two aspects of teaching ethics in professional study programmes. The first part discusses the importance of teaching ethics, and the second part discusses the responsibility of professional study programmes in educating future managers, executives, and businesspersons. Scientific and higher education institutions emphasise how important it is to acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes and values in response to the challenges and requirements of some particular role or function in life. Therefore, highlighted is the importance of teaching ethics as a generic competence that is general, mutual and transdisciplinary, and necessary for a wide spectrum of jobs and situations. Business ethics is of vital significance for success in the contemporary world and this is a fundamental condition for any higher education study programme. Key reasons for teaching ethics are: to allow students to develop critical thinking skills, to expose students to opposing opinions through debates, to prepare students for making decisions, as well as to familiarise them with flawed rationalisation and social pressures. Ethical values are under the influence of culture and the upbringing of each individual. For numerous students, their studies are places of encounters with diverse attitudes and opposing opinions. By teaching ethics and applying ethical debates, not only are students exposed to opposing opinions, but they are also provided with the opportunity to understand diversity. As a result, students can expand their understanding of ethics, sometimes changing their own values and decision-making processes. Skills related to decision-making, such as creating values, critical thinking and leadership, are considered superior attributes for students who have graduated. The development of decision-making skills provides young people with the opportunity to set themselves apart from others and respond to the demands and challenges they are faced with. The objectives of this paper, based on the research conducted so far and the existing, recent literature, determine the importance of teaching ethics in professional study programs. An added contribution to the work of an internal survey conducted among students that substantiates claims in previous researches