In a recent statement issued by the University of South Africa (Unisa) the institution revealed that over 95% of students who have sat for their disciplinary proceedings have been found guilty of academic misconduct.
As we start the 2023 academic year, we continue to warn students not to engage in dishonest academic behaviours, such as copying answers from someone else, collaborating with others in providing answers, purchasing answer scripts from third-party suppliers, using prohibited materials and plagiarising by using someone else’s work as their own without giving proper credit.
According to Unisa, the consequences of academic misconduct are quite severe, as students are not only suspended from continuing their studies at Unisa but at other South African universities.
“A student who engages in academic misconduct not only damages their academic record but also undermines the integrity of Unisa’s qualifications and devalues the hard work of other students,” said the institution.
Despite students having the responsibility to uphold university rules and regulations, the institution has noted a growing number of students who have engaged in cheating, plagiarism, and ghost-writing.
The university has also picked up that students are making use of various service provider solutions and other forms of academic dishonesty during their online assessments.
Unisa explained that disciplinary proceedings take a long time to finalise due to the adherence to strict protocols which enable well-informed decisions about the appropriate penalties for students who have been found guilty of misconduct.
The institution continues, “Such penalties for misconduct have ranged from students being awarded a 0% final mark, to three-to-five-year suspensions and expulsions from the university.”
Students have been urged to avoid academic misconduct, as the risk of engaging in such behaviour is not worth it. They are encouraged understand and follow the rules and regulations set by the university and to take advantage of resources that can help them succeed.
Unisa adds, “By doing so, students can ensure that their academic records remain intact and that they are well-prepared for the future.”
The institution noted that the recent success in outcome at the disciplinary proceedings is largely due to the academic and support staff as well as the investigations arising from the whistleblowing hotline.
Students with any information on dishonest or fraudulent activity related to Unisa exams have been appealed to continue to report it to the Fraud/Corruption Hotline on telephone number 0800 005 311.
