04-14-2010, 11:25 AM
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[url="http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/editorial/kus-malady-340"][center][size="6"][color="#006400"]KUââ¬â¢s malady[/color][/size][/center][/url]
Over the years the standard of research in Pakistanââ¬â¢s universities has been on the decline. While the output of PhDs has increased phenomenally, it has affected academic standards negatively since no capacity building has taken place. Not only are students who have been enrolled in research programmes the products of a system that leaves much to be desired, the faculty to supervise doctoral candidates has also been insufficient.
Many of the problems that are now being reported are the result of the unthinking policies in place. [color="#FF0000"]A Dawn report on the Karachi Universityââ¬â¢s poor quality of research is therefore not surprising ââ¬â corruption, inefficiency and plagiarism are bringing a bad name to this premier institution.[/color] Thus unqualified teachers who are not PhDs are said to be supervising doctorate students. The reason is obvious ââ¬â a supervisor receives allowances for this ââ¬Ëextra workââ¬â¢. An unqualified faculty member seeks shortcuts by resorting to intellectual theft. The Internet and communication technology are of immense help.
What is shocking is that the university administration which should have been the first to be concerned is dragging its feet on the cases that are brought before it. The main evidence of the universityââ¬â¢s indifferent attitude is its failure to even have in place a policy on plagiarism or other cases of academic deception. Two new cases of plagiarism have now been reported ââ¬â three had come to light earlier ââ¬â and other malpractices have surfaced from time to time. It is the responsibility of the university authorities and the Higher Education Commission to investigate the matter before plagiarism becomes a common malady. It is not only the newly reported cases that need to be addressed. A system must be devised to curb malpractices on an ongoing basis and to take remedial action when an academic wrong is done
[url="http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/editorial/kus-malady-340"][center][size="6"][color="#006400"]KUââ¬â¢s malady[/color][/size][/center][/url]
Over the years the standard of research in Pakistanââ¬â¢s universities has been on the decline. While the output of PhDs has increased phenomenally, it has affected academic standards negatively since no capacity building has taken place. Not only are students who have been enrolled in research programmes the products of a system that leaves much to be desired, the faculty to supervise doctoral candidates has also been insufficient.
Many of the problems that are now being reported are the result of the unthinking policies in place. [color="#FF0000"]A Dawn report on the Karachi Universityââ¬â¢s poor quality of research is therefore not surprising ââ¬â corruption, inefficiency and plagiarism are bringing a bad name to this premier institution.[/color] Thus unqualified teachers who are not PhDs are said to be supervising doctorate students. The reason is obvious ââ¬â a supervisor receives allowances for this ââ¬Ëextra workââ¬â¢. An unqualified faculty member seeks shortcuts by resorting to intellectual theft. The Internet and communication technology are of immense help.
What is shocking is that the university administration which should have been the first to be concerned is dragging its feet on the cases that are brought before it. The main evidence of the universityââ¬â¢s indifferent attitude is its failure to even have in place a policy on plagiarism or other cases of academic deception. Two new cases of plagiarism have now been reported ââ¬â three had come to light earlier ââ¬â and other malpractices have surfaced from time to time. It is the responsibility of the university authorities and the Higher Education Commission to investigate the matter before plagiarism becomes a common malady. It is not only the newly reported cases that need to be addressed. A system must be devised to curb malpractices on an ongoing basis and to take remedial action when an academic wrong is done