LCQ14: Plagiarism
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    Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (October 24):

Question:

     A member of the public has complained to me about the way the Hong Kong Baptist University handled an incident of suspected academic plagiarism. In response to my enquiry, the Education Bureau ("EB") pointed out that all the University Grants Committee ("UGC")-funded institutions have established mechanisms, procedures and guidelines for handling complaints about plagiarism in academic research results. EB further advised that "on the premise that institutional autonomy should be respected, it is inappropriate for the Administration and UGC to interfere in how the institutions handle matters of academic plagiarism". In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:

(a) whether they know the details of the mechanisms, procedures and guidelines of UGC-funded institutions for handling complaints about plagiarism in academic research results;

(b) how the authorities ensure that UGC-funded institutions will handle incidents of academic plagiarism or fraud in a fair and impartial manner; and

(c) whether there is currently any organisation responsible for investigating complaints about the failure of the top management of UGC-funded institutions, including their Vice-Chancellors/Presidents, to handle incidents of suspected academic plagiarism in a fair manner, and whether a mechanism is in place to deal with the appeals lodged by complainants aggrieved by the outcomes of their complaints; if there is such a mechanism, of the appeal procedures?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) & (b) The eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded institutions are autonomous statutory bodies governed by their own ordinances. They enjoy institutional autonomy in handling issues relating to plagiarism.

     The academic community operates on the basis of trust, fairness and equity. All academics should recognise the importance of academic integrity and consider plagiarism a serious misconduct. This is also a fundamental consideration taken into account by institutions when handling issues relating to plagiarism. All UGC-funded institutions have established mechanisms, procedures and guidelines for handling complaints about plagiarism. In general, the institutions will set up inquiry panels for investigation and disciplinary committees for conducting hearings to determine the appropriate disciplinary actions. The inquiry panels are normally composed of academics of related disciplines and management staff of the institutions. Subject to needs, the institutions may also invite outside academics to join the panels or offer advice on the complaints. The institutions have also established their own appeal mechanisms to ensure that the investigation and inquiry are conducted in a fair and equitable manner. For transparency, all institutions have also promulgated among all academic and staff members guidelines or handbooks and codes of practice on academic integrity, clearly explaining their policy on plagiarism and the disciplinary procedures.

(c) As mentioned above, the institutions have established their own appeal mechanisms to ensure that the investigation and inquiry are conducted in a fair and equitable manner. If the public or other academics are not satisfied with the investigation results, they may make supplementary representations to relevant institutions for their further action.

Ends/Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:02

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