DU policy to prevent plagiarism, teacher leaders say positive

Dhaka University authorities have formulated a policy to prevent research plagiarism. In this, up to 20 percent consistency in research (maximum 2 percent from one source) is not penalized. Those responsible will face penalties ranging from fines, demotion, cancellation of degrees to dismissal for higher levels of compliance.

The policy titled 'The Rules for the Prevention of Pleasureism' will come up for approval at the Dhaka University Education Council (Academic Council) meeting on Monday (January 23). This new policy has been made in the light of a recommendation of the Deans Committee of the University in October 2020.

In this study, up to 20 percent consistency is called 'acceptable' (level-0). However, in this case no more than 2 percent information from a single source can be used. Other levels in policy are Low (Level-1), Medium (Level-2), High (Level-3) and Repeat (Level-4). In the study, consistency between 20-40 percent will be considered as low, 40-60 percent as moderate and more than 60 percent as high consistency.

Talking to the policy makers of the Dhaka University administration, it is known that matching someone else's data, ideas, writing or work with any research or writing without citations or sources will be considered as plagiarism. In the new policy, up to 20 percent adjustment will be considered acceptable. In this case, no punishment should be faced. However, if more than 2 percent of the data is used from the same source or formula, it will fall under low level of consistency (Level-1). Accordingly, 20-40 percent will be adjusted for low-level crimes. 40-60 percent would be moderate (level-2) and more than 60 percent compliance would be considered high (level-3) offense. Repetition of high-level offenses will be the most serious offense.

What is the punishment for any crime?

According to the policy, if a Level-1 offense is proven, the concerned degree or credit may be suspended for 6 months and the author or researcher may be fined Tk 10,000 and given an opportunity to revise the manuscript. If they fail to make corrections even at that time, they may be given another 6 months, subject to a fine of 15,000 taka. Failure to correct in the second stage will result in cancellation or withdrawal of the degree or course of the author or researcher.

If the person responsible for this crime is a teacher, official or researcher of Dhaka University and if he/she gets appointment-promotion or any other financial benefit through fake degree, all the money received at the relevant time will be immediately returned to the treasury of the university. At the same time his respective degree will be suspended for 6 months subject to a fine of 20 thousand rupees and will be given an opportunity to correct the manuscript within 6 months. If the degree can be proved plagiarism free within this period it will be renewed. But that person will not get any other benefits. But if the person fails to revise the manuscript within the stipulated time, he will be punished with demotion and suspension of promotion for two years.

If the level-2 offense is proved, the person responsible will get 1 year to revise the manuscript subject to a fine of Tk 20 thousand. During this time the corresponding degree or credit will be suspended. If you fail to correct the manuscript at that time, you will be given another 6 months with a penalty of 20,000 rupees. The degree or course will be canceled after full time. If the offender is a teacher, officer or researcher of Dhaka University and he/she gets appointment-promotion or any other financial benefit through fake degree, all the money received at the relevant time will be immediately returned to the university treasury. Apart from this, he will be punished by one level demotion and suspension of promotion for four years in addition to the cancellation of the relevant degree.

If the level-3 offense is proved, the relevant degree or course will be suspended for 2 years and an opportunity to correct the manuscript will be given subject to a fine of 30 thousand rupees. Failure to make corrections within the stipulated time will result in the degree being canceled and the course being considered as failed (grade F). If the offender is a teacher, officer or researcher of Dhaka University and he/she gets appointment-promotion or any other financial benefit through fake degree, all the money received at the relevant time will be immediately returned to the university treasury. Along with the cancellation of the relevant degree, he will be punished by one level demotion and suspension of promotion for six years. A person who repeats a Level-3 offense will be dismissed from the university.

The new policy provides for various penalties against persons accused of plagiarism as well as supervisors of respective degrees or courses, members of the editorial board of the university's own journal. Any person can complain about plagiarism in research in writing to the Vice-Chancellor of the University, the Dean of the Faculty, the Chairman of the Department or the Director of the Institute. The Vice-Chancellor will take necessary action regarding the complaint by constituting a fact-finding committee and an inquiry committee in the meeting of the Syndicate, the highest policy-making forum of the university. It is also mentioned in the policy to take various workshops or initiatives to raise the awareness of the concerned people about the use of citations in research, use of plagiarism detection software and tools, etc. to prevent plagiarism.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor (Education) ASM Maqsud Kamal said that this is the first time such a detailed policy on research plagiarism has been made in the country. He said, 'This policy is not to impose any punishment, but to prevent theft. This policy aims to institutionalize the originality of research by increasing the awareness of everyone, including teachers, about the ethical standards of researchers. As there is worldwide awareness of research plagiarism.

We started here. The policy is made as a preventive measure to further institutionalize this initiation. It has already been sent to teachers. It will be raised in the academic council meeting tomorrow. Based on the opinion of the teachers, the policy will be revised, expanded and refined if necessary. Later it will be approved in the syndicate.'