The curse of the copycats

Despite the diligence of HEC in identifying plagiarists many are still working as faculty in different institutions

Plagiarism has long been a problem in Pakistan at every level of academia. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has now added another 13 plagiarists to the existing list of 21, and it is certain that there are more within the 160-plus universities in the country; the HEC just does not have the resources to root them out. The actions of the HEC have caused something of a rumpus in academia that has long failed to police itself in respect of plagiarism. Faculty members have been named in the HEC website and are from institutions across the country, likewise the titles of the research papers for which they copied — or stole, would be a more accurate description — material generated by someone other than the person claiming authorship.

This is no mini-storm in an academic teacup, plagiarism is a serious problem in that it undermines the credibility of our universities and colleges, and calls into question the validity of the degrees they award and the quality of the scholars in receipt of those awards. Plagiarism lowers our reputation internationally, and adds to the multi-layered trust deficit that Pakistan perennially suffers from. Somewhat ironically, the HEC and the President of Pakistan have both given awards to two teachers who are now on the plagiarists’ list. The penalties for getting caught copying can be severe. Even a minor penalty will mean a verbal warning and a blocking of research grants — the lifeblood of academia. Major infractions can result in dismissal and ‘moderate’ can see the offender demoted or blacklisted. Entire careers can be blighted, as can the careers of those taught and mentored by the plagiarists who may suffer guilt by association. Despite the diligence of the HEC in identifying the plagiarists many are still working as faculty in spite of orders that action be taken against them. We extend our support to the actions of the HEC, and take to task those universities that are allowing the rotten apples to stay in the academic barrel, there to infect others with their putrescence. We urge to HEC to go about its work with all speed.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th,  2015.

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