Sir: We are informed by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) (an oxymoron considering basic education in Pakistan is nearly extinct) that it will shortly “blacklist PhD scholars who plagiarised theses”. I salute Dr Javaid Leghari and the few good people he has around him in the HEC for their valiant attempt to bring educational order to the chaos that governs Pakistan. As a certified senior healthcare professional, equivalent to but not a PhD (as per the even more oxymoronic regulations of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council), I am not trembling in my shoes at this announcement. I must, however, question the rationale of the HEC and offer some worthwhile advice I know the honourable chairperson is unlikely to implement.
There is a wealth of free and purchasable plagiarism software available. Legitimate universities that pride themselves on the quality of PhD scholars they produce should, and would, among other controls, run potential theses through such software if only to ensure their own credibility and reputation. So, while blacklisting plagiarising scholars is a correct step, the HEC argument that universities will not equally be held responsible “due to their lethargic attitude” for omissions or commissions in their name is somewhat self-defeating. People are only as good or bad as the institutions that control or produce them. Mr Raisani who voiced the increasing national attitude that “a degree is a degree, whether it is genuine or fake”, did so because he is part of the system that has methodically largely destroyed institutional development, evolution and integrity. For, precisely, this fraud is the increasing order of the day across the board in Pakistan.
DR MERVYN HOSEIN
Karachi