For those who prefer to have a PhD degree just to get a job, this one is bad news. In what could change the face of research in universities across the country, the Information and Library Network Center (INFLIBNET), an autonomous inter-university of UGC, is all set to come up with unique software that will trace plagiarism in research papers.
In July this year, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had issued a notification to universities regarding the minimum standards and procedure for awarding MPhil or PhD degree. The notification has incorporated certain changes or conditions for the entire process and has asked universities to submit soft copies of thesis to INFLIBNET.
"The idea is to upload research work across the country on the net and make it accessible to all universities and colleges connected with us. This will enable students and faculties to read the theses," said Jagdish Arora, director of INFLIBNET.
"The anti-plagiarism software will trace the theses which are copied from elsewhere.
Moreover, readers can also easily find out if what they have in front of them is plagiarised. The objective is to expose the person who has done the research," Arora told DNA.
He further said that universities will have to submit the soft copies on individual basis to INFLIBNET. But before that, there are various changes that have to be incorporated by the educational institutes.
It's worth mentioning that UGC had proposed holding entrance test, followed by an interview around where candidates can discuss their research area or interest for the candidates of PhD. Such test will be conducted at individual university level. Regarding the number of seats for MPhil and PhD, the universities will have to decide in advance and will be notified on their websites.
"We have already accepted the proposal after discussing it in academic council of the varsity. We will be implementing it from next academic year (2010-11). The move is commendable in the sense that it not only stops plagiarism but also improves the quality of research," said BA Prajapati, vice-chancellor of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat.
However, other universities are yet to step forward as they will have to adopt the changes after getting approval from the syndicate and senate. According to Arora, the interesting part of the development is that around four individual scholars have submitted the soft copy of their research works.
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