The University of Mumbai has decided to introduce an anti-plagiarism software that will ensure that students submitting projects do not resort to shortcuts by plagiarising articles and study reports available on the Internet.
The introduction of the software is also aimed at making assessment of projects easier for teachers as all students are expected to submit the same under the new credit-based system, wherein 40 marks are allotted for project work and assignments.
Speaking about the new software, Dr M.Z. Farouqui, head of IT and communication department, MU said that the software was already in use in other universities in the state and had been very effective in ensuring that students do not cheat on their projects.
“Students tend to copy projects from others rather than working on it themselves. As a result the entire thrust on value education is lost. Hence, the software which has a database of information published on the Internet will be useful to deter students from cheating,” he said.
Apart from that he added that due to the large number of projects being submitted by students it is difficult for teachers to do justice to all the projects.
“The software will allow the teachers to assess the projects as well as reduce the time that will go into assessing the projects,” said Dr Farouqui.
While the software is costly, Dr Farouqui said that the university had entered into an agreement with the software manufacturer.