Search Page

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is advocating for a national plagiarism policy to uphold academic integrity and deter plagiarism. The commission's 49th annual report for 2022 highlights the need for such a policy, given the absence of effective tools to detect plagiarism in Bengali research and the lack of a plagiarism policy in Bangladeshi universities. The UGC also proposes a 'VC pool' system to ensure transparent appointments of Vice-Chancellors, Pro Vice-Chancellors, and treasurers in both public and private universities.

In Pakistan, urgent reforms are needed to protect academic integrity and prevent the exploitation of marginalized individuals by those in power. Instances abound of professors, policy experts, and retired state officials plagiarizing the work of assistants, students, and junior professionals. For instance, at a prestigious institution in Islamabad, a Star Professor plagiarized the work of a former student and colleague and escaped consequences due to institutional support.

Employees within the Sindh College Education Department allege corruption and nepotism in the recent rapid promotions of lower-ranked workers to higher positions. Around 185 promotions from Grades 1-3 to Grade 11 occurred under relaxed rules, requiring only a short computer-based typing test, bypassing verified Computer Certificates. Sources claim the promoted individuals lacked computer skills and that bribery influenced the process. Some employees, who attempted the test, expressed frustration as those with computer expertise failed while those without passed, questioning the legitimacy of the process.

The quality of education in Pakistan is extremely poor by world standards. Children study the same books as their parents did, or probably their grandparents. In Sindh, students who don't sit exams end up passing them. In Lahore, at the main examination centres located next to the board office, bribing and cheating are common practices. Professors are absent from classes and concentrate on maintaining their relations with influential individuals. Examination staff close the examination rooms to those who refuse to abide by the routine.

Fake Degrees and Fraudulent Credentials in Higher Education brings together contributions from authors in different fields and parts of the world, offering an overview of various aspects of academic fraud and highlighting the erosion of trust in academia and academics that systematically accompanies such cases. In the first chapter of the book on contract cheating and paper mills, we learn that the worldwide fake degree industry has grown from US$1 billion in 2015 to US$22 billion in 2022. Experts estimate that 4.7 billion people hold or have held fake diplomas.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the shutdown of illegal campuses of private universities across the country. Preston University and Al Khair University has set up illegal campuses in Karachi and Lahore and students approached the Higher Education Commission (HEC) because these universities were not issuing degrees. The Court directed the HEC to award degrees to the students who had passed out from illegal campuses through some special arrangement and implement these policies throughout the country.

The National Accountability Bureau has opened an investigation against the Higher Education Commission(HEC) Chairman for corruption, irregularities, mismanagement and appointment of consultants. Dozens of consultants were hired based on the high salaries of directors, some of whom were not only retired but also fresh graduates. According to University officials, the alleged HEC chairman was bullied for trying to mend a broken system.

The Accountability Court Hyderabad gave five years imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 30 million to four officers from the education department. They have recruited 208 candidates in violation of the procedure and direction of the department and without checking the qualification certificates from relevant boards. According to the National Accountability Bureau, they had inflicted a loss of Rs 127.48 million on the public treasury for wages paid to these employees.

To fill the gap between demand and constant increasing supply, many players in the higher education sector live by the saying that ‘fake it if you cannot make it’. South of Punjab has been hit by fake education. In Alipur, a branch of a known college chain claimed to be affiliated with GC University, Faisalabad. Many students paid fees to get registered, however, the university website doesn’t recognize it as an affiliated college. The robbed students moved administration and made complaints. But the institutions are supported by the feudal lords in the area.