A former professor published her student’s thesis under her own name
PLAGIARISM – A former university professor has issued a public apology for plagiarizing the thesis of her former advisee, Jemima M. Atok, an AB English graduate.
The apology was posted on the Facebook page of the Department of English Language and Literature of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, Cotabato. In the apology dated May 2, 2024, Riceli C. Mendoza, the former professor, expressed deep regret for the emotional pain caused to Atok and her family due to her actions.
Mendoza admitted to publishing Atok’s thesis under her own name and failed to acknowledge her as the original author and owner of the work. In her statement, she fully acknowledged her fault and pledged that such an incident would not recur in the realm of academic endeavors. She earnestly sought forgiveness from Atok and her family, asking them to accept her sincere apology.
As of now, there has been no response from Jemima Atok regarding the public apology issued by her former professor. Apparently, the former professor appears to have deactivated her Facebook account as it appears to be unsearchable.
The post generated mixed reactions from the netizens. Some condemned the action of the teacher while others lauded her courage for owning her mistakes.
Meanwhile, publishing someone else’s thesis under your own name is considered plagiarism and is unequivocally unethical. This act of intellectual theft breaches academic integrity, deprives the original author of deserved recognition and opportunities, and can lead to severe personal and professional consequences.
Educational and professional institutions typically impose strict penalties for such actions, including expulsion, loss of credibility, and potential legal repercussions. The damage extends beyond the individual to tarnish the reputation of associated institutions, underscoring the importance of honesty and respect for others’ work in maintaining the trust and integrity of the academic community.
