Central University of Kerala to put PhD theses under lens

KASARGOD: An anti-plagiarism software is being introduced to ensure a high standard of research in the Central University of Kerala (CUK). The software will monitor research work from the university before it is approved. Research scholars and faculty members will be also introduced to Shodhganga, a platform for research scholars to deposit their Ph.D. thesis and make it available to the entire scholarly community. Ahead of its implementation, the CUK has conducted an user awareness workshop.

The CUK is introducing anti-plagiarism facilities in association with Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre, Gandhinagar. Speaking to this newspaper, CUK deputy librarian Dr P. Senthil Kumaran said that user awareness programme received a positive response from students. “The PhD courses which were introduced recently was received well by research scholars and faculty.  This workshop will help them to better involve in research work,” he said.

“The Shodhganga has the ability to capture, index, store, disseminate and preserve ETDs (Electronic Theses and Dissertations) submitted by researchers. So using that will help the researchers to avoid duplication of research subject at a very early stage of research itself," he added. CUK vice-chancellor Dr G. Gopakumar said that the introduction of anti-plagiarism facilities would raise the standard of research from the university.

He added that anti-plagiarism monitoring can be extended to PG courses too in future. "We need to promote anti-plagiarism software use from grassroot levels of research,” he said. The awareness class is conducted by INFLIBNET centre scientist Manoj Kumar K. A total of 120 research scholars and faculty members took part in the workshop.