Mumbai University will crack down on plagiarism.

The Mumbai University has finally woken up to the problem of plagiarism in research work. All research work, including theses and dissertations published by professors doctoral students from the university and its affiliated colleges will now be scrutinised using anti-plagiarism software.

The university decided to address the problem of plagiarism, which is one of the major malaises in higher education today , at the management council meeting on Wednesday .

The council members have passed a proposal for the purchase of the anti-plagiarism software. Vijay Joshi, principal of Somaiya College, who will handle the project, said the university will decide details of the purchase later. “The quality of theses needs to be improved and standards have to be raised. This is the best mech anism to keep a check on copied content. Once the software is purchased, every dissertation, synopsis, thesis and research papers submitted to the university will be scrutinised for plagiarism,“ said Joshi. The software will also check if matter taken for research from a secondary source is cited to ensure there is no violation of copyright. The university is also reviewing the system of research work, said Joshi. “We are yet to decide on the action we will initiate once anyone is found guilty ­ be it a professor or a student. We will define punitive action and bring about a policy for it,“ said Joshi. The council members unanimously agreed to the proposal. “The system will also help the university in international rankings. It will add authenticity and increase the credibility of research work done by our professors and students,“ said a council member.

Shodhganga, a project launched by the University Grants Commission, is used by several Indian universities to detect plagiarism in research work. The repository has research papers from all over the country . Individuals can upload research work on their site independently or through their university. However, Mumbai University will have two stages of scrutiny . Once a project submitted by doctoral studentsprofessors is approved by the software, it will then be put up on Shodhganga, which will be an open source available to researchers worldwide.

Universities which offer PhD or MPhil programmes are eligible to join Shodhganga by signing an MoU with Information and Library Network centre. 

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