29 January 2021, Naga City – The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) of Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) conducted the webinar, “Copy&Paste: Plagiarism and How to Avoid It”.
The said online event on plagiarism was OSA’s sixth installment of its “New Normal” Webinar Series, and the office’s fourth cooperative undertaking with the Philippine Association of Practitioners of Student Affairs and Services (PAPSAS)- Region V.
The webinar was livestreamed via Adnu Osa Facebook account, and attended by students and student affairs practitioners from Bicol and other parts of the country. As of writing, it has garnered more than 4, 600 views – and still counting.
The OSA organized the activity to address the challenge of academic dishonesty, which constantly threatens the maintenance of academic integrity and standards of educational institutions. The organizers hoped that thru this offering, the students can engage in a school culture that promotes honesty, honor, and discernment.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Alfredo C. Fabay, ADNU’s vice president for higher education, stressed on the value of intellectual honesty in academic pursuits. He urged the students to commit to integrity in their academic endeavors.
Dr. Margarita Felipe-Fajardo, ADNU’s dean for research and creative endeavors, the first resource speaker, discussed the definition, and the different forms and types of plagiarism. She told the participants to be careful of unintentional plagiarism or “the practice of acknowledging the source but accidentally copying other’s ideas or organizational structure.”
Dr. Fajardo offered strategies on how the students can avoid plagiarism, such as “to always cite correctly and completely the source of your ideas, and effectively quote, paraphrase and summarize another’s ideas.” At the end of her presentation, she encouraged the participants to live by the honor code by doing only what is authorized and ethical.
The second speaker, Dr. Federico Jose T. Lagdameo, ADNU’s chairperson of the university research council, started his presentation by asking “Why do some students cheat?” Citing research data, he proceeded by discussing the factors, reasons, and justifications in the commission of academic dishonesty.
Dr. Lagdameo further shared the impacts and costs of academic dishonesty based on recent studies. As a closing remark, he pointed out that the students, even teachers, should shift their attention from a grade-oriented behavior to an intrinsic way of learning.
After the talks, Dr. Marshal Q. Murillo, the host/moderator facilitated the open forum. Educators from different institutions, namely Nelca Leila B. Villarin (De La Salle University), Atty. Christian E. Rivero (Commission on Higher Education), Adrian V. Remodo (ADNU), and other student leaders from other higher education institutions shared their reactions to the talks. The live viewers also took part in the open forum by sharing their insights and questions on the presentation of the speakers.
The webinar is part of OSA’s continuing efforts to promote student rights and responsibilities in the university. OSA shall sustain the anti-cheating advocacy this semester through varied activities and development of informative materials.
