BabuK
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- Jul 30, 2008
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Some students graduating from various universities in Tanzania have reportedly been buying research papers from friends, relatives and even conmen, which are then submitted as original work to their lecturers.
The Guardian has learnt through investigations in high learning institutions in Dar es Salaam, Iringa and Mwanza regions that while some students work hard to prepare their research papers, a good number have been using money to get the papers.
Academics are concerned that the ugly practice is dangerous to the lot as it undermines professionalism.
Speaking to The Guardian in separate interviews, some students (names withheld) said that there are special groups of conmen who have specialised in preparing and selling research papers at the cost of between 400,000/- and 600,000/- per dissertation.
According to them, after having bought the papers the students only embark on editing the work to suit their subject of choice as well as the varsity style.
When this reporter wanted to know the reason behind the dishonest acts as college requires each student to work on their own projects independently, one student said:
Honestly speaking, due to the fact that many of us are occupied with other stuff, we fail to concentrate on the work.
He added: That is why we look for already prepared papers however, other reasons include ignorance on how to work on a research paper as well as laziness some of us know nothing others just use most of their time for leisure, yet they want to graduate. They therefore seek help from the street by buying papers which suit them
Some students condemned the practice, saying buying research papers is unfair because those who work hard may get low marks compared to those who buy the dissertations.
One of the persons believed to be involved in research paper preparation in Dar es Salaam, (name withheld), who confused this reporter for one of his customers, admitted that some students pay him for the service, although the price differed, depending on the needs of the student.
Denis Mpagazi, an assistant lecturer at St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) in Mwanza, who admitted to have heard of the practice in academics, said it is sometimes a result of poor preparation on the part of the students.
He explained that most students think that education is all about doing examinations and getting certificates. That is why some of them engage in such acts of buying research papers in order to pass and secure certificates.
According to him, a sense of dependence among some students has given rise to the scam and its willing handlers, in private and public offices.
Students should be taught the meaning of education from childhood in order to do away with the belief that it is only about passing exams, he said.
When reached for comment, Prof Yunus Mgaya, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Dar es Salaam said he has no evidence of the matter, but according to him, if a student is caught cheating or plagiarising, they are summarily dismissed, according to the university rules.
He said it is the task of the supervisors to ensure that there is no cheating or plagiarism by students in their work.
Prof Mgaya said if students engaged in cheating in order to secure certificates, the development of the nation will be endangered.
Imagine a nation with graduate doctors or engineers who depend on bought projects or dissertations! It is quite dangerous for the future of the nation, he said.
Prof Geofrey Mmari, Provost of Tumaini University Makumira, Dar es Salaam College, while asking for data from the reporter, said cheating of any kind is against academic principles.
It is not good, it is against the principles of academics bring data to us we will work on them, he said.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
The Guardian has learnt through investigations in high learning institutions in Dar es Salaam, Iringa and Mwanza regions that while some students work hard to prepare their research papers, a good number have been using money to get the papers.
Academics are concerned that the ugly practice is dangerous to the lot as it undermines professionalism.
Speaking to The Guardian in separate interviews, some students (names withheld) said that there are special groups of conmen who have specialised in preparing and selling research papers at the cost of between 400,000/- and 600,000/- per dissertation.
According to them, after having bought the papers the students only embark on editing the work to suit their subject of choice as well as the varsity style.
When this reporter wanted to know the reason behind the dishonest acts as college requires each student to work on their own projects independently, one student said:
Honestly speaking, due to the fact that many of us are occupied with other stuff, we fail to concentrate on the work.
He added: That is why we look for already prepared papers however, other reasons include ignorance on how to work on a research paper as well as laziness some of us know nothing others just use most of their time for leisure, yet they want to graduate. They therefore seek help from the street by buying papers which suit them
Some students condemned the practice, saying buying research papers is unfair because those who work hard may get low marks compared to those who buy the dissertations.
One of the persons believed to be involved in research paper preparation in Dar es Salaam, (name withheld), who confused this reporter for one of his customers, admitted that some students pay him for the service, although the price differed, depending on the needs of the student.
Denis Mpagazi, an assistant lecturer at St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) in Mwanza, who admitted to have heard of the practice in academics, said it is sometimes a result of poor preparation on the part of the students.
He explained that most students think that education is all about doing examinations and getting certificates. That is why some of them engage in such acts of buying research papers in order to pass and secure certificates.
According to him, a sense of dependence among some students has given rise to the scam and its willing handlers, in private and public offices.
Students should be taught the meaning of education from childhood in order to do away with the belief that it is only about passing exams, he said.
When reached for comment, Prof Yunus Mgaya, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Dar es Salaam said he has no evidence of the matter, but according to him, if a student is caught cheating or plagiarising, they are summarily dismissed, according to the university rules.
He said it is the task of the supervisors to ensure that there is no cheating or plagiarism by students in their work.
Prof Mgaya said if students engaged in cheating in order to secure certificates, the development of the nation will be endangered.
Imagine a nation with graduate doctors or engineers who depend on bought projects or dissertations! It is quite dangerous for the future of the nation, he said.
Prof Geofrey Mmari, Provost of Tumaini University Makumira, Dar es Salaam College, while asking for data from the reporter, said cheating of any kind is against academic principles.
It is not good, it is against the principles of academics bring data to us we will work on them, he said.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
