Awareness of plagiarism has increased in the past few years due to a number of infamous international cases making the headlines. But its practice still seems to be a problem among students, although it is not always committed intentionally.

The University takes plagiarism and collusion very seriously. In fact, the Plagiarism and Collusion Guideline forms part of a larger base of regulations on assessing students at University.

The guide, which is available online, aims to ensure that students are aware what plagiarism is and to ensure that they are awarded on their own competences and capabilities, not on work compiled by others.

Cases of plagiarism, collusion and academic fraud and dishonesty are punishable through cancellation of marks, expulsion from the course and revocation of a degree. But the guide also states that students should be given opportunities to learn how to properly reference, cite and quote a source.

A large number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses offer study units that deal with basic research methods and assignment writing, including information and guides on how to avoid plagiarism.

The Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU) recently organised a Referencing and Plagiarism Seminar to make students more aware of what plagiarism and improper referencing actually is.

KSU education coordinator Daniel Vella Fondacaro commented that many students still find it hard to understand what plagiarism actually means. The seminar explained the difference between minor, major and self-plagiarism, how to avoid plagiarism and how to make good use of the Turnitin software.

Plagiarism still seems to be a problem among students, although it is not always committed intentionally

Fondacaro said plagiarism does not seem to be an alarming problem at University. “However, it does exist, and currently KSU is meeting several faculties to ensure the widespread use of Turnitin. Every case of plagiarism has to be tackled individually depending on the case, and Turnitin is making a huge improvement,” he said.

He recommended that students should be informed about this topic before submitting an assignment so as to avoid problems with their work.

Marie Claire Finger is an MA in History of Art student and print editor at Insite Malta.

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