UGC to buy plagiarism detection software Turnitin

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to purchase well-known plagiarism checker Turnitin to prevent theft and plagiarism in research.

The decision was made during a virtual meeting of the committee on purchasing plagiarism-checking web services on Sunday.

Prof Abu Taher, a member of the UGC, confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.

He said: “The software [Turnitin] will initially be provided to 30 public universities. The use of this software will be ensured in all the universities in phases.

“This software will play an important role in preserving and developing the quality of research activities of all concerned including the teachers and students of any university.”

Currently, 17 universities are using this software on their own initiatives. Letters will be sent to the universities to know about the latest status of the software.

Prof Taher said that theft in research in a developing country like Bangladesh was not desirable at all. “The country will not be able to go very far if such activities are not checked.”

Echoing the same, Prof Sazzad Hossain, another UGC member, said that incidents of plagiarism had increased in the Bangladeshi universities.

“As there is no policy in this regard, the issue of plagiarism in research activities cannot be defined. So there needs to be a clearer policy in place in this regard.”

Plagiarism in theses by researchers and teachers can be checked with the help of the Turnitin Software Authenticator part while the students' plagiarism can be detected in its feedback studio.

Prof Taher said that they would formulate a policy on the use of the Turnitin software. “A roadmap of this software for long-term use will be prepared as well.”