BY: SINETHEMBA ZONDI
The investigation of plagiarism in assignments at the University of South Africa (Unisa) has started, focusing on similarities in copying and writing during various test periods.
The university reported that cases of plagiarism have increased to 1,400 during assignment submissions, utilizing the plagiarism detection system.
Professor Ramagoai Magano, the university’s academic development director, noted that efforts to improve integrity have begun, particularly for students who plagiarise.
Some students have been given warnings for committing serious offenses during their writing. “Through these plagiarism investigations, we have identified and addressed cases involving 1,456 plagiarized assignments. We started a month ago, on March 25, and within the week, we have investigated 75 cases,” Magano said in a news briefing this week.
Penalties for plagiarism will be enforced on students when plagiarism is detected at the university. Students will be monitored using the Invigilator App during the submission of assignments.
Magano mentioned that many cases of plagiarism involve postgraduate students. He also instructed students to properly reference their sources to avoid penalties in the future.
“We do not have a re-submission policy like many other universities. We have our own plagiarism detection system,” Magano said.
Previously, the university’s student council addressed concerns regarding the use of plagiarism detection software by students.
Nkosinathi Mabilane, the student council president at Unisa, said “since the Covid-19 outbreak, the university has implemented the App for plagiarism detection.”
He highlighted that the App safeguards against any dishonesty during writing, providing measures to prevent students from relying on external aids. Mabilane mentioned that over 5,000 students were suspected of plagiarism in the previous year, with some facing possible expulsion for repeated offenses.
Approximately 2,000 students have pending investigations for potential plagiarism. Aphiwe Dlamini, the university’s chief student representative, urged the institution to expedite plagiarism investigations for the students’ sake.
He expresses the importance of timely action to inform students about the consequences of plagiarism. Magano emphasized the growing number of plagiarized assignments, urging for swift action against those involved in academic dishonesty.
