Intellectual fraud: ‘HEC to revisit, tighten policy on plagiarism’

HEC chairman says NUST ex-rector made acting executive director after Dr Arshad Ali resigns

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has decided to formulate a new policy on plagiarism in research work compilation by 2019, said HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri on Monday.

Addressing a press conference, he said the decision to this effect has been taken on the directions of 18-member commission during an investigation of high profile plagiarism cases being investigated by the HEC.

He told the media persons that HEC Executive Director Dr Arshad Ali has voluntarily resigned from his post during on-going investigation carried out against him regarding allegations of plagiarism in Phd thesis.

HEC chairman said that Dr Ali has taken this decision for the protection of institution and his resignation has also been accepted. “No further action would be taken against Dr Ali as he has resigned on the basis of merely allegations, but not on the base of any judgment,” Dr Banuri said.

He further said the commission welcomed the decision of Dr Ali for resigning during the investigation for the sake of credibility of HEC. However, till formulation of new policy, the previous cases regarding plagiarism would be dealt with the old one, the chairman explained. “We want to fix all issues in future being faced by HEC in different sectors,” he assured while replying a question.

To another question, Dr Banuri said the decision would be taken soon in remaining four high profile plagiarism cases after investigation. He said the commission has assured that the justice will be done in all other cases relevant to plagiarism. He said the vacant post would be advertised tomorrow for the appointment of new executive director.

Currently, he said National University of Science and Technology (NUST), former rector Lt Gen (retd) Muhammad Asghar would look after the matters as acting executive director HEC.  

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2018.