Committee of Vice Chancellors develop software to fight plagiarism

The Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) said on Monday that it has developed a software that would detect plagiarised research works.

The organisation said this in a statement issued in Abuja by its Secretary General, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu at the end of an engagement meeting with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

It stated that the software was developed to fight against plagiarism and promote originality in academic research.

The statement quoted the Chairman, CVCNU, Prof. Samuel Edoumiekumo, as saying the software, Eaglescan, was developed by the CVCNU in conjunction with directors of ICT of six Nigerian universities.

It also quoted Edoumiekumo as having said the software would soon be ready for use in all tertiary institutions.

It said during the meeting, CVCNU shared the draft of a Model Intellectual Policy for universities, developed in conjunction with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) with ASUU.

“ It is important we meet to discuss on innovative ways of confronting and managing challenges and deep thinking on the future of the Nigerian university system,” the statement quoted Edoumiekumo as saying.

The statement said they also x-rayed some of the current challenges facing Nigeria’s university system which includes poor funding.

Other challenges highlighted include the implementation of IPPIS in federal universities, autonomy of universities; and the presence of several conflicting laws.

“Federal and State Governments need to take the bull by the horn to break the unending circles of university-based labour unions’ unrest.

“This should be done by thinking creative solutions and resolving politically to implement such solutions.

“ Nigerian public universities will not take their pride of place globally and regionally if we cannot guarantee basic things such as an academic calendar,’’ it said.

It quoted Edoumiekumo as congratulating Prof. Victor Osodeke, on his emergence as the national president of ASUU.

Responding, Osodeke, according to the statement, thanked the leadership of CVCNU for initiating the meeting.

He expressed ASUU’s desire to work with all genuine actors to add value to Nigerian universities and them better.