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What is plagiarism?

Plagiarism is a serious offence in the academic world. It constitutes academic theft – the offender has ‘stolen’ some intellectual property and presented it as his or her own. Plagiarism speaks to a person’s integrity and honesty, stifles creativity and originality, and defeats the fundamental purpose of education.

In this University, plagiarism is a disciplinary offence. Any student who commits the offence may face disciplinary action. It is the responsibility of all students at all levels to familiarize themselves with proper academic practice of writing, citation and referencing. This website provides general guidance on what constitutes plagiarism, why it is wrong, and how to avoid it. Students are also expected to seek specific guidance within their discipline and to consult the relevant University policies and regulations. Useful links are provided on this website.