The Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to buy anti-plagiarism software ‘Turnitin’ to prevent plagiarism in research. The decision was taken today (Sunday) at a meeting of the committee on purchasing plagiarism checker web services held on the virtual platform.
UGC member Professor. Md. Sajjad Hossain chaired the meeting while the members of UGC, Professor. Md. Abu Taher, Dhaka University, Tofail Ahmed Chowdhury and Professor Jabed Ahmed from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Md. Sekendar Ali, Professor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Professor Moshiul Haque, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University, Professor Md. Saidur Rahman, Maulana Bhasani University of Science and Technology, Associate Professor Dr. Shamim Al Mamun and others were connected virtually.
At the meeting, it was decided to buy Turnitin software shortly to deal with the plagiarism (theft) of research papers. It was mentioned at the meeting that the gold standard iThenticate part of the software will be used to detect plagiarism made by researchers and teachers and the feedback studio will determine plagiarism in the thesis works done by students.
UGC member Professor Abu Taher said the software would initially be provided to 30 public universities but its use will be ensured in all the universities of the country in phases. Using this software, it will be easier to protect the rights and originality of researches. This software will play an important role in preserving and developing the quality of research activities of all concerned including the teachers and students of the university.
He added that the aim is to ensure that there is no plagiarism and prevent any kind of plagiarism in research works. Bangladesh is now a developing country. Plagiarism in research is not desirable at all. The country will not be able to go forward by adopting plagiarism in researches.
In this regard, Professor Sajjad Hossain said, the incidence of Plagiarism in research in the universities of the country is increasing day by day. As there is no policy in this regard, the issue of plagiarism in research activities cannot be defined. So there should be a policy to detect plagiarism.
A policy for the use of Turnitin software will be formulated soon. A roadmap of this software for long term use will be made. He further said that the purchase and installation of this software in the research is quite expensive. So we have to keep an eye on its maximum use.
Currently, 16 universities are using this software on their own initiative.
